Kazakhstan is attracting more expat teachers as the demand for English speakers grows.
For qualified teachers looking for a challenge, taking a job in an international school halfway around the world is a good start. The chance to experience a different culture is something many travellers seek, but living and working in a country opens up a whole new perspective.
Now previously unthought of destinations are opening up to the teaching abroad market. One such country is Kazakhstan. Situated in central Asia, Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country. With a growing economy and increase in international trade comes a demand for English.
Teaching opportunities look set to keep growing
With the vast number of students and the continued prominence of English as an international language, teachers are more in demand than ever. ISC Research data shows there are now 300,000 fully qualified English-speaking teachers in international schools. That figure is expected to pass 500,000 by 2022, so the market is going to be wide open for people looking to make a new move into education or thinking about working and living abroad.
“The future looks very bright for international schools,” says Nicholas Brummitt, the chairman of the ISC group; and what is good for schools is good for teachers, as the sector has grown massively in the first decade of the new millenium. According to the ISC Research, around 6,400 recognised international schools now form part of the educational network that caters to 3.2 million students engaged in learning English (compared to 2,584 schools in 2000).
Writing a great CV can help land you your dream job.
Many expats are lured to Asia with the thought of low living costs coupled with relatively high wages. For native English speakers teaching is the go-to job, but there are lots of others on offer, especially for skilled candidates who speak more than one language.
If you are coming from Europe or North America, you might be surprised at how detailed CVs tend to be in Asia. Tailoring your CV to Asian standards shows cultural awareness and can help you land your perfect job.
The energy sector holds a lot of possibilities for expats.
Already more than 40% percent of employees in the oil & gas sector are working abroad, according to a study by Hays. Yet another study attests the energy sector to be the one where international experience is in the most demand. These are only a couple of reasons why people seeking work abroad could find their way in this industry.
“There is a community of people in the energy sector who have had a career working all over the world,” Graham Chalker, global practice leader of oil & gas at Hydrogen Group, says. But not all parts of the world can record similar growth. While you can watch the direct impact of crises and revolutions in Europe and Northern Africa, other regions like Brazil, China, Australia or the Middle East are the ones to look at. Here are some facts to further emphasize this point: Read More →
Employees from North and Central America are the most satisfied workers together with Scandinavians
When considering moving to another country for work there are many factors you should bear in mind. Besides a country’s job market prospects, the overall employee satisfaction in countries you are looking at may help you to make your decision. The Randstad Workmonitor (published in September 2012) provides detailed information on 32 countries in Europe, Asia and America.
With about 35% of employees stating that they are “very satisfied” with their jobs, Canada performs the best outside of Europe. Combined with the people saying that they are “satisfied”, the country reaches a considerable 72%. In general, employees in North and Central America seem likewise very content with their jobs (Mexico 80%, USA 69%).
If you are looking for a teaching abroad job experience teachers provide some advice on how to settle in.
Over 10,000 teachers will this summer be packing their suitcases, finalising their visas and saying goodbye to their families and friends as they start a new life teaching overseas. They will be joining 293,000 other qualified, English-speaking teachers already working in international schools around the world.
For the new teachers who will be making this move within the next few weeks, now is the time for last minute plans. And who better to ask than those teachers who have already done it.
Australia is still a top destination for many expats but finding work can be a challenge, especially for those without a desirable skill.
The International Monetary Fund forecasts Australia’s unemployment rate to remain low at 5.2% in both 2012 and 2013. Australian economy profile 2012 says that the country’s abundant and diverse resources attract foreign investors, that includes extensive reserves of coal, iron ore, copper, gold, natural gas, uranium and renewable energy sources. Does this make it easier for expats to find a job in Australia?
The research shows that in the past it was quite easy to find a job in Australia for expats via the 457 visa. Employers had a shortage of candidates, so they did not hesitate to fill vacancies with overseas workers. In recent times, employers are giving more importance to locals as they are easily available and with the required skills. This also saves employers the trouble of sponsoring a 457 visa.
Canada ranks highly for work/life balance among expats
When looking for a job abroad, it’s important to keep in mind what it is that’s enticing you away, and for how long. Are you hoping for a higher income, with a bigger house and the other benefits that this could bring? Or is the opportunity for more free time to enjoy your new lifestyle a bigger priority?
As revealed in HSBC’s Expat Explorer Survey of 2012, there is not always a correlation between the economic experience of expats abroad and their feelings on how their daily lives have improved. For this reason, it’s worth considering which of these criteria is more important to you.
The income of expats in Singapore, for example, is shown as being the third highest of the thirty-one countries studied, but in terms of their work/life balance, it features twenty-second on the list. Russia is fourth when it comes to the economic experience of expats living there, but 54% of those expats feel that their work/life balance has deteriorated.
A free webinar on 28th June 2012 aims to provide advice and answer questions about moving abroad to teach.
Many teachers will soon be getting ready to move abroad to start work in an international school for the very first time. Preparing to move overseas for the first time can be quite daunting and with this in mind, experts in international teacher recruitment and placement, Teachers International Consultancy (TIC) will be hosting a free webinar to help guide soon-to-be expats on this big change in their lives.
The webinar will be hosted by TIC Director Andrew Wigford, who has over 20 years experience working in and with international schools. He will share advice on how to prepare for an international move and offer tips on adjusting quickly into a new professional and personal life. There will also be time for questions and answers.
There are certain qualities you look for in a country when planning a move overseas. You might consider the country’s location, climate, healthcare system, schools, language and whether it is safe for your family. But the most important quality to consider is its economic stability.
Why is this so important? Because it will tell you what your chances of getting a job are, and ultimately if it will be worth it in the long run. Here are some destinations that may not be worth your time.