@chuck

Firstly I admire you for raising two kids as a single parent.

Realistically, you will find it difficult, as I think you have no IB exp. There are not many Aust curriculum schools, certainly none I can think of outside east/SE Asia.

One of the things not brought up in this post is the lack of an adult partner is actually a minor advantage, at least compared to a couple with one child. A trailing partner can suffer psychologically from the isolation if he/she doesn't have something to keep them busy and can't make local friends.

TYour kids will probably pick up the local language if you send them to a local daycare as opposed to an IS.

Anyway, at the end of the day, it depends on how well you fit a particular need at a school. Just need to be at the right place at the right time, and be patient.

I personably believe a Singapore certified math teacher with singaporean experience is better than the Math teachers produced in the western systems. Since the attempt to emulate the Singaporean system poorly, and really seem to be making things up (My experience in teaching college).

However, a lot of schools are specific about Western accreditation. If you can teach university, then you will be getting a better deal, as they look at actual knowledge. I am referring to actual tenured lecturing positions, not the crappy els slave labour.

I think the key to judging the school is who is doing the most whinging. The ones leaving, or the ones staying.......

I love how some people think that having smart coupons mean you can get paid more.

I would put it this way, teachers are a dime a dozen, what school would just pay extra for just a teacher. Get a former engineer to teach Math, or a Lawyer to teach legal studies etc, and thEy can command more since they have industry experience and are used to higher pay scales, if they also have their teaching certification. After all, there are only limited skills a failed artist can pass on t o their students compared to a graphic designer with several sucessful years in industry can.

Higgsbottom is right in this case. Save your anger and frustration till after your last pay check. You'll probably care less and move on. It's not worth fighting a system especially if they don't do change very well.

While whinging is fun, procrastinating is worse. I do like to point out rather obvious benefits when leaving, like city isn't a third world hole, longer holidays etc. Comparing the actual work at the school is pointless, as another poster pointed out that it could be hell. It's better to be in a crap school in paradise than a crap school in a hole.

I had the rather hilarious experience of the head getting all pissed off at me when I was leaving a previous job because I wasn't whinging. And no, he was not a local.

Schools still use chalk outside of chemistry class?

Maybe we should introduce chalk-age as a tier for schools

first year of a long term position?

I will be frank, not much experience. No IB experience. 3 dependents.

The dependents are not so debilitating if you have enough relevant experience and a proven track record. But you are going to have a lot of problems getting a job since your competition is likely to be single.

Medical exam, go in the morning, results in the afternoon. Email results to school.
Next day, school takes all the paperwork to foreign workers office. two weeks for paperwork to be complete.
DHL 2-3 days.
Visa same day if you pay extra, 3 if you don't. Having been granted a Z visa previously obviously helps.

And they can hurry up your paperwork in China if they have connections.

A week if you are in a convenient time zone with facilities, 3 otherwise.

An average sized condom would be the one labeled Large. The small sized would be labeled thin.

Since Annie really wants to know. Men should also bring average sized condoms too.

Mick is suggesting smuggling with the wine. I doubt you can convince customs it is cleaning fluid.....And tonic water..really??? I can buy that at ANY supermarket in Shanghai, unless you hate Schwepps.

Electronics are cheaper if you buy locally made stuff. It is a matter of recognizing quality. There is plenty of rubbish though. They do use the exact same blue print used for the 'made' in USA stuff which is really just put together in the states.

And Chinese medicine has actual cures for the common cold and flu, so it will be better to take those. One of the commonly used herbs in the medicine is an antiviral.

The things you will really need to bring are any Clothing and footwear if you are extra big, seasonings, XL condoms and deodorant. All of this you can find in Shanghai, but not so easily. Tailors are relatively cheap on our salary scale, and a good shoe maker can be found. Prescription meds you need to bring, unless you speak enough Chinese or chemistry to find similar meds here.

Everything else mentioned is a matter of paying for it. They are all available in supermarkets that cater to westerners and upper class Chinese like city shop and to a lesser degree Carrefour. If you have room in your bag, no harm bringing it.

A water filter is a great idea, and we were actually going to bring one in our third year, but we left it at home :(

The money is not an issue at certain crap schools.

Sometimes it is better to calculate your compensation per hour. Tier one schools will generally make you work hard for it, but it still looks ok. Tier 2, then that number will suck. Tier 3, it will either suck more, or be one of the best because of your light load and no extra crap.

A lot depends on how you use your flights, generally Aussies are screwed.

There is this thing called a broker. And they can buy you anything (if they have the right licenses). Nothing substitutes good research, and having trade insiders. I'msure we can make educated guesses on which companies related to education have a good future, and which are crap.

I'm probably going to stop my ridiculous managed fund, as the fees are stupid, and I earn more interest from dumping it in a bank account.

Land is always a good bet. Forget the overpriced white elephant on top of it.

Discovery School, Tegucigalpa

Considered one of the best schools in the region. Great local staff, lots of great social and travel opportunities. Savings potential is most of your salary, but that is modest in the first place. Tegucigalpa is also kinda polluted, but not anywhere near the India/China problems.

Classes are typically small, and most importantly, students are absolutely wonderful.

Or the person of authority is not really in charge...or is just a crappy administrator