What To Look For In An International School Contract (ESL and K12 + Job Postings)

Samantha Wilkins, PhD
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9 min

teacher abroad reading an international school contract on her phone at a train station

Teaching abroad changes how you work and how you live. Your contract is the guide that sets you up for success. It spells out your role, pay, benefits, workload, visa support, and the little details that make life smooth once you land. If you’re heading into a K-12 classroom or starting an ESL role, a clear, friendly contract will help you feel confident from day one.

Below is a practical checklist for what to look for in an international school contract, with supportive examples from real roles on the Teach Away job board.

Start with role clarity so you know exactly what you’re signing

Your contract should match the job you applied for. 

Look for the formal job title, subject, grade band, and whether you’re teaching full time. When schools mirror the posting in the contract, you start strong.

Helpful examples to compare with:

Seeing the same role details in the offer and the contract is a great signal. It says the school values clarity and wants you to feel ready.

Confirm employment type and how you’ll be engaged

Most international teachers are employees of the school. Some language providers offer independent instructor arrangements, which can be a good fit if you want extra flexibility. The key is that your contract explains the setup in simple terms, including how pay works and what support is included.

Helpful examples to compare with:

Both models can work well. The contract should make the structure obvious, so you can plan your budget and benefits with confidence.

Salary, currency, and payment schedule should be easy to read

You deserve a clear picture of your take home. Your contract should show:

  • Base salary, monthly or annual
  • The currency you’ll be paid in
  • When pay hits your account, for example once per month
  • Any extras, for example completion bonuses, performance bonuses, or step increases

When a posting states the currency and schedule, it’s ideal to see that repeated in the contract. That consistency helps you map rent, groceries, and savings in your new city.

Helpful examples to compare with:

Tip you can use right now. If the job ad mentions an allowance, for example housing, ask that the allowance appears as a line item in the contract. It keeps your budgeting simple.

Benefits and allowances make a big difference day to day

One reason teaching abroad is so appealing is the benefits. Strong contracts put these in writing. Look for:

  • Housing support, either provided housing or a monthly housing allowance
  • Flights at the start and end of your contract, sometimes for dependents too
  • Health insurance that fits the country you’ll live in
  • Vacation days, public holidays, and personal leave
  • Professional development support, for example workshops or training days

Helpful example to explore the benefits structure:

Benefits are more than perks. They remove friction so you can focus on your students and your life in a new place.

Contract length, renewals, and notice periods should be specific

Most ESL contracts are one year. Many K-12 international schools set two year agreements, which helps with continuity for students and staff. Your contract should list:

  • Exact start and end dates
  • When and how renewals are decided
  • How much notice both sides give if the contract will not continue

Helpful example that often follows a one year renewable pattern:

Clear timelines make planning easy. You can schedule travel, summer plans, or a second year with no guesswork.

Workload and responsibilities help you picture a normal week

It’s nice when a contract sets the weekly rhythm. Look for:

  • Contact hours, for example 20 to 25 classroom hours in many ESL settings
  • Time for planning, grading, and meetings
  • Extras you might enjoy, for example clubs, field trips, or parent nights

Helpful examples that show role shape by subject or setting:

When you can see the cadence in writing, you can prep better lessons and better routines outside school too.

Visa sponsorship and legal help should be included

Schools that teach internationally know the visa process well. Your contract should mention:

  • Sponsorship or support for the correct work visa
  • Who pays which fees
  • Timelines and help with renewals if you stay

Helpful example category:

Written visa support saves time and cuts stress. It also helps you land smoothly without last minute surprises.

Relocation support helps you settle in fast

Moving countries takes energy. The friendliest contracts add small touches that make a big impact. Look for:

  • Temporary housing on arrival, even one or two weeks can help
  • A relocation stipend or shipping allowance
  • Airport pickup or a welcome orientation
  • Help finding long term accommodation in a neighborhood that fits your commute

If a posting mentions relocation help, ask to see the same language in the contract. Clarity turns those promises into a plan.

Classroom resources and onboarding tell you how you’ll teach

Teachers do their best work when they have tools and time to get set up. Strong contracts and welcome packs often include:

  • Curriculum framework or program alignment, for example IB PYP in early years
  • Textbooks or digital platforms you’ll use
  • IT support and access to classroom tech
  • An orientation plan that helps you learn systems and meet your team

Helpful example by curriculum:

Onboarding is more than a tour. It’s the runway for a strong first term.

Professional growth signals that the school invests in you

Many schools set aside time or funding for training. Your contract or staff handbook may include:

  • Annual PD days
  • Workshop budgets or conference support
  • Coaching, mentorship, or peer observation cycles
  • Access to internal learning resources

Helpful example by role category:

Growth language in a contract says the school wants you to keep thriving, not just keep up.

Family and dependents get practical support in many K-12 schools

If you’re moving with a partner or children, it’s helpful when family support is in writing. You might see:

  • Health insurance for dependents
  • Tuition discounts or fee support for school age children
  • Extra baggage or flight coverage for the family
  • Help with local registrations or banking on arrival

This turns a big move into a shared adventure with fewer unknowns.

Time off policies let you rest and come back energized

Time away from class matters for your wellbeing. Look for:

  • Paid vacation days across the school year
  • National and public holidays that the school observes
  • Sick days and personal days
  • Maternity and paternity policies in line with local law

A balanced calendar helps you keep energy high in busy terms.

Fair processes create trust on both sides

It helps to know how feedback and problem solving will work. Your contract or handbook may include:

  • How and when you’ll be observed or reviewed
  • Who you talk to if you need support
  • How concerns are handled, for example a simple, friendly escalation path
  • Which country’s laws apply to the agreement

Friendly, plain language builds trust. It tells you the school handles feedback like a team sport.

Comparing two offers, how to use your checklist

You may receive more than one offer. Here’s an easy way to compare:

  1. Put role title, grade band, and duties side by side
  2. List salary by currency and payment schedule
  3. Note housing, flights, visa help, and health insurance
  4. Note workload and calendar
  5. Highlight relocation support and onboarding
  6. Add any family benefits
  7. Circle which contract mirrors its job ad more closely

The contract that mirrors the posting and fills in the details is usually the one that will feel smoother in real life.

Examples from live postings you can scan today

Use these Teach Away postings like a quick gallery of how schools present clear offers:

Skim a few, then check your offer letter for similar clarity. That consistency is a strong sign you’ll have a smooth start.

The real win is a contract that supports your whole journey

When a contract reflects the same clarity you saw in the job posting, you can sign with confidence and focus on the reasons you chose to teach abroad in the first place. Here’s the short list to confirm in writing before you accept:

  • Your exact job title, subject, and grade band
  • Salary, currency, payment schedule, and any bonuses
  • Benefits such as housing, flights, health insurance, and vacation days
  • Contract length, renewal timelines, and notice periods
  • Weekly teaching hours, planning time, and any extra duties
  • Visa sponsorship and help with the application process
  • Relocation help, onboarding, and classroom resources
  • Family support if you’re moving with a partner or children
  • A simple path for feedback, reviews, and support

When these details line up, your contract becomes a safety net. It frees you to do your best teaching and to enjoy your new city, new students, and new routines.

Check out Teach Away’s job board for more teaching job postings and find your dream job teaching abroad.

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