So many people have already provided a lot of good points! So here are some less immediately pertinent ones.

If you're thinking about moving on from China after several years or so, find out about the process for withdrawing your (obligatory) pension investments prior to exiting the country and put it into action. It appears to be a lot more difficult when you have already left.

Also, you can apply in-country for both a Chinese-language and English-language version of a police check to show your next employers. It still takes a long time, but again is apparently even more complex after leaving.

Hi everyone,

I am a TEFL Trinity-certified teacher from the UK, who has taught English Language and Literature for two years at secondary schools in China, and three months or so in Spain. Unfortunately I did not gain any IB experience from these positions. My dream is to be able to teach at secondary level in Latin America, specifically Mexico and Peru, whilst at the same time being able to make a somewhat comfortable income. Enough to be able to travel during holiday season, and perhaps save a tiny bit. From what I have seen, international schools in Mexico/Peru seem more able to provide this than national ones (though please correct me if I'm wrong!). And I have noticed that for a lot of the international schools, there is a requirement for a 'national teaching certificate' i.e. a PGCE, and usually two years of "relevant experience."

I would love to move abroad and begin teaching as soon as possible, but am now realising this might take some time. I don't really know how necessary the PGCE + QTS course is in order to gain a good salary teaching in Mexico and Peru. Is this essential, or am I just not looking in the right places?

Also, from the ambiguous wording of these posts regarding "relevant experience," I don't really know whether I would need to stay and complete two additional years of teaching in the UK on top of the PGCE. Are there schools in Mexico/ Peru that would accept my two pre-qualification years of experience as being valid, or must these be post-qualification?

Equally, how vital is obtaining IB experience prior to any applications to ISs in Mexico/Peru? From reading other posts on this forum, as a general rule of thumb it appears to be essential. If this is the case in the areas I wish to go to also, is there any particular route a teacher in the UK can take in order to gain such experience?

Finally, as I am applying to courses now, it would great to know whether there are certain courses that are in greater need of teachers in international schools in Mexico/Peru. My background of teaching is English, but I have a BA in Modern Languages, and would consider specialising in MFL, Social Sciences, or other Humanities, if these were subjects which schools in Mexico/Peru might particularly need teachers for.

Any and all advice welcomed, - and thank you from a very unaware but just as eager teacher!