Success in international teaching goes beyond just having the right qualifications. While qualifications are important, the key to becoming a truly successful educator lies in embracing the values that build trust, inspire students, and elevate your professional growth. It’s about showing up every day with a mindset that encourages learning, collaboration, and respect for others.
Here are 10 essential traits that can make a significant difference in your international teaching career:
- Being on time – Punctuality shows respect for your students and colleagues. It reflects your reliability and commitment to your role as a teacher. Being on time is a simple yet effective way to set a positive example for your students and demonstrate your dedication.
- Work ethic – Hard work forms the foundation for professional growth. Being committed to doing your best, continually improving, and putting in the necessary effort to meet the needs of your students sets you apart. A strong work ethic is essential for making progress and achieving long-term success in the classroom.
- Effort – Consistency is key. Putting in effort every day, even when the results aren’t immediately visible, is what leads to lasting impact. Whether it’s engaging with students, planning lessons, or developing relationships with your colleagues, consistent effort builds a reputation as a dependable and diligent educator.
- Energy – Your energy as a teacher shapes the classroom environment. Positive energy can be contagious, creating an atmosphere where students feel motivated to participate and engage. When you bring enthusiasm into the classroom, you make learning more enjoyable, encouraging your students to take an active role in their own development.
- Body language – Non-verbal communication is powerful. Your body language can communicate warmth, openness, and attentiveness. It helps build rapport with students and lets them know they are supported and valued. Pay attention to your posture, facial expressions, and eye contact to ensure your messages align with the positive energy you want to convey.
- Passion – Passion for teaching fuels your work. When you are passionate about your subject and about helping students grow, it shows in everything you do. Passion makes your lessons more engaging and helps inspire a sense of purpose in your students. It’s the spark that can ignite a love of learning in others, driving them to achieve more than they thought possible.
- Doing extra – Going the extra mile can make all the difference. Whether it’s staying after class to help a student, offering additional resources, or taking on extra responsibilities within the school, the small things add up. Doing more than what is expected shows initiative and a genuine commitment to your role as an educator.
- Being prepared – Preparation is key to delivering effective lessons and managing a successful classroom. When you’re well-prepared, you’re able to handle unexpected challenges with confidence and ease. Organisation and planning allow you to stay ahead, ensuring that both you and your students have everything needed to succeed.
- Being coachable – No matter how experienced you are, there is always room for growth. Being open to feedback, willing to learn from others, and accepting that you don’t have all the answers is vital for professional development. Being coachable means you’re ready to improve and adapt your teaching practices to better serve your students’ needs.
- Being kind – Kindness creates a supportive learning environment. Showing empathy and respect for your students fosters trust and helps them feel safe and valued. Being kind isn’t just about being friendly—it’s about creating an environment where students can thrive emotionally and academically.
Which of these traits resonates with you the most in your teaching career? We all have different strengths, but by embodying these values consistently, we can grow into educators who inspire positive change in our classrooms and communities.
Let’s discuss below! Which traits do you prioritise in your teaching?
Take your teaching career to the next level with the IPGCE at UWE Bristol. This internationally recognised course offers the perfect balance of academic theory and practical application, preparing you for success in global classrooms. Apply now and start shaping the future of education today!
