Expat Teachers In Mumbai Now Call India Home

Expat teachers are flocking to Mumbai from across the world due to the increasing number of international schools opening in the city.

Experienced educators from Europe, Canada and the USA are now learning to adapt their teaching styles to those of an Indian classroom at the same time as introducing Western education's best practices. In their personal lives, they’re bonding with various expat communities as well as sharing their interest in India’s fascinating culture and long history. Importantly, they're introducing local teachers to the advantages of a Western style education. One major challenge is introducing and explaining the new methodology to parents in a way which broadens their horizons as well as their children’s perceptions.

On average across the broad spectrum of India’s international schools, around a third of teachers are expatriates. The international curriculum framework is identical across the world, with the only difference the attitude towards education of parents and their children. According to expat teachers in Mumbai, this broadening of horizons is welcome and is proceeding successfully in spite of cultural differences.

For example, Oberoi International School’s expatriate teaching staff number 20 per cent of the total and interact extensively with local educators. According to head of the primary section Anthony Batchelor, both expat teachers and parents are eager to learn as well as being curious about new methods of imparting knowledge to younger children. Expatriate teachers who’ve worked in Indian international schools for a while are determined to stay, with one seven-year veteran saying she’s more than happy with her job, and also enjoys living in Mumbai as there’s so much to see and do after school hours. Originally from France, she adds she’s often reminded of her home city of Paris.