I've been involved in recruiting teachers for International
Schools for years. And yes the
competition has escalated but the salaries seem stagnant.
The industry is changing because the host countries, which
over time have educated, graduated and trained their own nationals, are
insisting on more employment for their people (much like the US restricts entry
of foreign workers). Saudi Arabia and
other countries have limited the number of work visas for expats for teaching
spots because many of their native teachers (mostly women) have a 39%
unemployment rate. The Saudis have been aiming towards higher rates of Saudization for all jobs and many other countries are following suit.
I recruit in North America and this year my Saudi clients
have upped their requirements. In previous years, a college degree and 3 years
of experience was enough to obtain a work visa but now a board certification is
required for K-12. The embassy stated that ESL applicants for a visa must have
a degree in English Language Arts (or a Master's) along with an ESL or TESOL
certificate when earlier any college degree was sufficient.
More and more countries will probably limit the level of
expat teachers in their country in favor of providing more employment to their
own people.
Joanne Chicco
Professional Systems & Services.Inc.
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