Happy New Year to all!
Does one of you have info about the Franco-American International School?
They just put a job ad and well, California sounds tempting!

Eventhough they are not the only option/solution, I think job fairs are good. You get to meet the recruiters, you get to meet teachers from the schools you are interested in, you can balance options, exchange information, etc.
Someone said 'you can fly to the schools for interviews"... expensive!

Maria, Search is not managed by one guy, there are a few associates, and if the one in the US doesn't seem to have many fans, the Deelmans are really fantastic.

I went to a job fair with CIS in 04 (London). Stressfull, but well organized. I recommend spending some time in the "candidates' lounge", good place to exchange info. Also, I recommend attending all the "social gatherings"; again, you meet teachers, and you can also have an eye on the recruiters, wave a little "hello", be "seen".

About where to stay, I recommend the hotel where the job fair is held. It is really precious to be able to go back to your room, freshen up, (always look good!), cry, pee, etc. Also, you don't carry loads of bags, can go and relax, can get phone calls, etc. It is expensive but it's worth it, (plus you don't have the stress of transportation, being late, etc.)

The job fairs are really like trade fairs. The only difference is that both sides are buying and selling.

My 2 cents here:
With schools scatered all over the world, I don't see how this could be efficient, because it would probably need to have a big heavy slow costly centralized admin/bureau.
A strong staff association can do the trick (I've seen it worked in China)
Look at International School Manila, they didn't need any union to get what they wanted (resignation of the whole board).

One comment on "truly international school students population". I do not think that it is the students population that makes a school international, it's its curriculum.

ok, that was a couple of cents!

Personally, I reallyprefer to meet with the people I'm going to work with for at least 2 years.
Tie is OK, but this year, really, they don't have as much as the DB on Search. Plus, you don't get the details on schools, like you can get with Search (3 years ago, I went with CIS, they didn't have it, think they do now)

I find Harry, Margaret and Glynn of Search very supportive, friendly, etc. This is the scary part of the job search, when you freak out because there are not many ads you like, where should you go, is your file ok, etc. Right now, the moral support and the information they provide by personaly answering every email, is precious.
I'll tell more after the fairs (going Bangkok and London)

six of the best wrote:Why do all you good folks get so wound up about this? Why not apply directly to a school in a country that you want to live in. Then the school knows you are not someone in the fair cattle market. TES of the Uk has 100s of ads where you can directly apply to the school for free. I have got all my jobs by personal contact.
I like Harry D but he and Search never got me a job.
Try the personal letter folks. I just did. And I am short listed for a job at the age of 57.

Hi! There is only one very short review on that school. The comment make the school sound like it's ok (but not the teachers' spirit!) but the different ratings are pretty low...
Is the staff moral low because of poor management? is it because of life in Colombo?
Any input on class size (number of students), teaching materail, etc. would be appreciated!
(oh, and on life in Sri Lanka)
Thanks and good luck to all!

i've never heard of a teacher assistant getting good hiring conditions (as in overseas hired package.) Salaries aren't that great, and for what I know, TAs are usually hired locally (they are either locals or expat unumployed spouse)
The best option for you, if you can't get into the whoooo jobs/schools, is to accept a first contract in a school that doesn't pay much or in a "difficult country". Once you're in a circuit, you're ok! (initial contracts are for 2 years only, it's worth it)
Good luck

Ni Hao!
Living in Beijing is FANTASTIC! it has all you want: exotism, and yet all the kind of fun westerners need (live music, bars, art galleries, etc.) it's easy to get out of the city too if you need to reconnect with nature on your free days!
Cost of living depends on wether you need to eat just like you would in your home country There are a couple of shops, Jenny Lou's the most famous in the expat community, that sell all the international brands, and it is a bit expensive. But local product are good, and you can really live on that. Oh, and if you like Chinese food, there are sooo many restaurants, street stalls, etc. You can have incredible dinner parties, take away, etc. for a really reasonable price.

Clothes: if you 're kind of thin, you'll find that there are a lot of options/choice in the many shops and markets. If you're "chubby" (I am, that's why I can tell you about it!) you'll either shop in the "true/fake designers brand" markets (international size) or just go to the taylor. You have big feet? No problem, I used to have my shoes hand made there.

Lots of people talk about the polution, I never found it a problem. Now, if you have asthma (spelling?) you may find it difficult.

The language: You can catch up easily with the minimum "survival language kit"! numbers for shopping, directions for going around. It also all depends how much you usually mix with the local community. In Beijing, you can easily find Chinese people who speak English, anyways.
(now, for that part of your inquiry, it would be good to have someone elses opinion, I learnt Chinese at the University and speak it kind of fluently, so, I may not be the best to talk about living there without speaking the language).

And now, the all-in-one comment: I would LOVE to go back to Beijing. It is a great place to live in.

and I would be interested in hearing from people who didn't like it as much as I obviously did!

Just went and read... interesting! the superintendant is "reinstated" (spelling?) and it seems to be very good news!
I wonder what the former board did...
First time I've heard of a strike in an International School!

Thanks for the info!

Does anyone here have some recent info on that school? the reviews are great, but doesn't cover 2006!

I would also like to hear about your experience in living in Manila? Is it cool? Do they have places like jazz clubs, place where to ride horses, etc. What's to see in the country?
(if you were at ISM, how are the appartments? I'm always worried about my "living space"!)

Hope someone can help! have a great day all!

(was the post of Sept 13 a spam? about a strike? weird!)

Thank you very much! I'm on the site now!
Unfortunatly they are not looking for teachers in my field (French), but I'll try anyways!

Good luck to all those attending job fairs this year!

Hello!
A friend living in Beijing told me that there is a new international school there, the "Canadian School in Beijing".
Problem is that it's the only info she has, and I can't find the website (googled it, etc. nada, zip, nothing)

Has any of you heard from it? Do you have the URL for the website?

Hope someone can help! Have a nice day!