For many international teachers, it is time to start thinking about whether or not to renew contracts for September 2022. Those who decide to return home will therefore soon be on a job hunt for something back in the UK, presenting a raft of skills learned from their time overseas.

But one of the paradoxes of international teaching is that, while it is often relatively straightforward to obtain an international teaching job, returning is not so easy, with UK schools strangely resistant to the skills international teachers have to offer.

However, as someone who has worked in UK and international schools, I believe there are numerous reasons why a UK school should give an overseas applicant its full attention.

1. Resilience and versatility

Social media can make it seem like teaching overseas is one long holiday. The reality is quite different. Anyone who spends time working overseas quickly becomes used to dealing with adversity - from navigating Byzantine government paperwork and handling visa issues to adapting to new cultures and ways of working. This means you can pretty much guarantee that an international teacher is innovative, adaptable and not easily fazed. These are all attributes that any school should want its staff to have.

2. Heightened IT skills

Just like teachers at home, international teachers have become hugely adept at using IT to deliver teaching and learning during the pandemic. In fact, some teachers, such as those in Malaysia, where I am based, have been teaching remotely for even longer, with lockdowns lasting many months. With more technological change likely in education in the future, having these skills in spades should not be overlooked.

3. Helping EAL students

Teaching students who speak English as an additional language is a skill in itself. And teachers who work in international schools do this as a matter of course, given the different cultural backgrounds of the pupils who are found in most international classrooms.

With many schools in the UK having students who speak multiple languages, this is another set of skills that is worth taking note of in any application.

4. Working with parents

International schools can have demanding parents - and this means international teachers tend to be adept at dealing with them, ensuring they understand what their child is learning, how they are progressing and discussing any issues sensitively.

Parental engagement, of course, varies by setting in any nation, but the skill of being able to converse with parents across the spectrum of school issues is another great attribute for your teaching staff to have.

5. Be open minded

If you’re a leader at a UK school and a CV from a repatriating teacher lands on your desk, have an open mind about what this person could bring to your team and how they could enhance your school. Schools have become more aware of the importance of celebrating diversity among students; the same should apply to teachers.

Chris Barnes is an experienced school leader in UK independent and international schools. He tweets @MrBarnesTweets

This article originally appeared in the 22 October 2021 issue under the headline “Why schools should give international staff a warm welcome”