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Writer's pictureSA Recruitment

Clarifying Our Focus: Placing Qualified Mainstream Teachers in International Schools


High School Teacher in the classroom

At SA-Recruitment, we pride ourselves on helping qualified Mainstream South African teachers find rewarding opportunities at international schools across Australia and the Middle East. Our mission is to match talented teachers with schools that value their expertise and passion for education.


This post aims to clarify the specific qualifications and experience we look for and, in particular, to explain why we do not place teachers who only hold a TEFL certificate.


Our Focus: Placing Qualified Mainstream Teachers in International Schools

SA-Recruitment works exclusively with mainstream international schools. This includes placements at:

  • Kindergarten (early childhood education)

  • Primary schools

  • High schools


These schools follow recognised curricula and offer subjects across various disciplines like mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies. To secure these teaching positions, candidates need to have formal teaching qualifications such as:


  • A Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)

  • A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or equivalent


Our partner schools seek teachers who are qualified to teach specific subjects or grade levels, and who can bring proven experience from classroom environments that align with international education standards. We only work with mainstream schools and we do not place teachers in English Language Centres.


Understanding the Difference: TEFL vs. Mainstream Teaching

Many aspiring teachers reach out to us with a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate, eager to find placements in international schools. While TEFL is a fantastic qualification for teaching English to non-native speakers, the positions we place teachers into are not in English language centers or schools that primarily focus on English as a second language.


The schools we partner with are looking for subject-specific expertise in mainstream education. Whether you're teaching math to high school students or early childhood education in kindergarten, the requirement is a formal teaching qualification and experience in a structured classroom environment at a school that adheres to an international curriculum.


Why We Don’t Place TEFL Teachers

We often receive inquiries from TEFL-qualified teachers, and while we respect the value of TEFL programs, they do not align with the requirements of the schools we work with. The schools we work with schools expect candidates to have:

  • Experience in teaching subjects other than English as a second language

  • Formal qualifications that meet the standards of mainstream education


TEFL certification alone, without a degree in education or a recognised teaching qualification, is unfortunately not sufficient for the roles we offer. We encourage teachers with TEFL certificates to explore opportunities specifically within the English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching sector, which offers wonderful prospects in language centers and schools focused on language acquisition.


What We’re Looking For

If you’re a qualified teacher with mainstream classroom experience and are looking for a career abroad, SA-Recruitment may be the right fit for you. Here’s what we typically look for:

  • A B.Ed. or PGCE

  • Classroom teaching experience in kindergarten, primary, or high school settings

  • The ability to teach specific subjects within a structured curriculum


We invite teachers who meet these qualifications to explore the opportunities we offer in Australia and the Middle East. These regions provide excellent career prospects, competitive packages, and the chance to make a lasting impact in the lives of students around the world.


Conclusion, SA-Recruitment only works with teachers who have a B-Ed or PGCE teaching qualification.

At SA-Recruitment, we remain committed to placing qualified mainstream teachers in international schools. While we do not place TEFL-qualified candidates in mainstream schools, we appreciate the dedication of all teachers and encourage those with formal teaching qualifications to reach out to us for guidance on starting their international teaching journey.


If you have any questions about the qualifications we require or the positions we offer, feel free to contact us—we’re here to help guide you through the process.


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