Search found 100 matches

by MartElla
Sun Aug 16, 2020 8:17 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: High pay package IS?
Replies: 30
Views: 33562

Re: High pay package IS?

I've not seen that many jobs for Chinese teachers in international schools and in previous schools the teachers have been local hires rather than expats. I'm no expert on this but I'm not sure there'd be that many jobs. Are you able to also teach Chinese Literature? Obviously, places like China, Taiwan, HK and Singapore would have the most demand for Chinese teachers but I presume they would be locally-qualified teachers or spouses of expats already living there, I've only heard of teachers living locally being hired to teach Chinese, but others would know better than me. I remember seeing a few adverts for Chinese teachers but they seemed to want the ability to teach Chinese nationals as well. I'm not sure if the LOTE you mention would cover that. EAL might have more positions available and, as others have said, the usual regions to aim for if it's money and savings that you're after is China and the ME.

Perhaps someone else with more knowledge than me can give you advice on your subject area.
by MartElla
Tue Mar 31, 2020 5:19 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: HELP- web site to rate international school
Replies: 3
Views: 5703

Re: HELP- web site to rate international school

There's Tales Mag website, I suppose, but that seems to be more for parents of international schools kids. Other than that, review it on Google like all businesses can be reviewed, I guess?
by MartElla
Tue Mar 31, 2020 5:17 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Not finishing the year
Replies: 8
Views: 12348

Re: Not finishing the year

Not sure how you've "broken contract" when one was never placed before you or signed. People change their minds all the time before signing, after all. As you already have the references needed and are good to go, I'm not sure why this could possibly count against you. Sounds like both parties are happy with the way this has turned out.
by MartElla
Tue Jun 04, 2019 3:42 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Location, Location, Location!
Replies: 128
Views: 118243

Re: Location, Location, Location!

PsyGuy, Caracas is not safe by almost any measure. Do you want anecdotal evidence? I've plenty about it being dangerous for expats, as have many, many others. Being held up at gunpoint is not a unlikely occurrence if you are there for a year or two. Or do you go by the data? Which data are you using? Even the data we have is unlikely to convey the true reality as there's been a breakdown in all services in recent years, including those relating to security. It was dangerous ten years ago, more dangerous five years ago and now...hey, if Caracas is safe then, outside of combat zones, then where isn't safe? Even under Chavez, Caracas was known for the "Secuestro Express". It's got worse since then.

Care to present a case that Caracas is one of the world's safe cities?
by MartElla
Thu May 30, 2019 6:14 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Location, Location, Location!
Replies: 128
Views: 118243

Re: Location, Location, Location!

Thames Pirate wrote:
> Well, the "who pays best for the region and doesn't suck" has been done to
> death. We all know that if you are at ISB, WAB, Aramco, etc. you are going to do
> well. We all know that people love AIS Dhaka, but that Bangladesh makes people
> hesitate. We all know that if you prefer WE, AS London and Frankfurt IS as well as
> schools in Switzerland are the money schools. We all know that it's easier to travel
> from a place like Kuala Lumpur than from Xian or from Nairobi than Gaborone. I think
> MartElla's phrasing was what caused us to balk.

I say that good school + good location + good salary is the way to go...a combination no serious poster would surely disagree with. Of course they are usually (note, USUALLY) the kind of factors that most teachers would consider important. I say that, and so you focus on my "phrasing"?

It's what the majority would agree with. Not everyone, but they are generally the main considerations.

Yes, I know there's always someone different. A moutaineer teacher for example, or apparently the Equestrian teacher demanded by the tier 1 school that PsyGuy once mentioned, but who needs to also be able to teach Aramaic to a class. We all know there are outliers.

There are some international schools that hit all three of the conditions I mention. They're tier 1, they're inundated with applications each year. On the whole, faculty there are happy.
by MartElla
Thu May 30, 2019 6:03 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Location, Location, Location!
Replies: 128
Views: 118243

Re: Reply

PsyGuy wrote:
> @MartElla
>
> So your position is to label everything as good and then say its good?
> Let's try that: good torture + good abuse + good harassment = pretty good
> combination, if youre into that. Lets try something a little less
> pathological:
> Good school lunch + good uniform + good textbook = pretty good school
> opportunity. You can do this all day.
>
> Well Pilates ITs and museum fan ITs need to pay bills too, though they
> might want more time to practice those things than more coin. Nothing is
> free, ISs that have high salaries generally have high expectations that eat
> into your schedule.

You're becoming a parody of yourself here, PsyGuy. Me saying good salary leads you to "good torture".

Stop digging, dude.

> Water is also wet, comparing a quantity of something desirable always beats
> zero of that something. even the ITs getting nothing would typically not
> say no to getting something for it.

Come on...were you smoking or drinking when you wrote that? Snorting?!?
by MartElla
Sat May 25, 2019 11:12 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Location, Location, Location!
Replies: 128
Views: 118243

Re: Location, Location, Location!

MartElla wrote:
> Thames Pirate wrote:
> > Assuming those are the things that are important to you.
> >
> > For some, savings are secondary to being near family or where they speak
> > the language. For some, travel is secondary to certain lifestyle choices.
> >
> > I do think we can agree that quality of school is important.
>
> Secondary, yes. Unimportant, not usually. People have loans to pay off, pensions to fund and kids to send to college.
>
> However, I was talking about a general idea of ideal combinations. An individual then
> has to decide whether or not those work for them, but that's subjective.
>
> I think we can all agree that schools that are good places to work, pay well and with
> plenty of options for the weekends and holidays have a lot to offer.
by MartElla
Sat May 25, 2019 11:11 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Location, Location, Location!
Replies: 128
Views: 118243

Re: Discussion

PsyGuy wrote:
> @MartElla
>
> Only if "save money, enjoy your work and enjoy great travel
> opportunities" are important to you.

But we're not talking about everyone, we're talking generally. In general, good money + good location + good school is a pretty good combination.

You might then say, ah but what about the dude who is into Thai food or war museums or pilates or whatever the heck under the sun, what about then?

Well, you have to think about what works for you, of course, but generally I think we can agree that for most people a better school to work at beats an awful school, money beats no money and opportunity for travel and things to do beats somewhere with just shopping malls.
by MartElla
Sat May 25, 2019 11:06 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Location, Location, Location!
Replies: 128
Views: 118243

Re: Location, Location, Location!

Thames Pirate wrote:
> Assuming those are the things that are important to you.
>
> For some, savings are secondary to being near family or where they speak
> the language. For some, travel is secondary to certain lifestyle choices.
>
> I do think we can agree that quality of school is important.

Secondary, yes. Unimportant, no.

However, I was talking about a general idea of ideal combinations. An individual then has to decide whether or not those work for them, but that's subjective.

I think we can all agree that schools that are good places to work, pay well and with plenty of options for the weekends and holidays have a lot to offer.
by MartElla
Mon May 20, 2019 5:29 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Is only using Search Associates a mistake?
Replies: 43
Views: 53879

Re: Is only using Search Associates a mistake?

Search is the most comprehensive option.

Search + ISS = job done.

Any schools that use neither of them should (mostly, not always) be viewed suspiciously.
by MartElla
Mon May 20, 2019 5:27 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Location, Location, Location!
Replies: 128
Views: 118243

Re: Location, Location, Location!

Ideal situation = tier 1 package, cheap country.

Savings = Gold
Quality of school = Gold
Travel Opportunities = Gold

There's not many gold ticket appointments in the world. It's where you can save money, enjoy your work and enjoy great travel opportunities.

Start the list.
by MartElla
Mon Apr 08, 2019 8:12 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Late start working toward a retirement
Replies: 34
Views: 31964

Re: Late start working toward a retirement

falconeer wrote:
> To echo what many on this board have said, you first need to go somewhere
> where you can save a lot, likely the Middle East. Earn as much as possible,
> save as much as you can. But this won't be enough. You'll need the market.
> Index funds are one approach, but if it is possible, you should attempt to
> learn to trade. The margins are much higher if you can learn to trade
> individual stocks, learning to recognise trend reversals and take advantage
> of volatility. This can be learned.

He's 51. Please stop giving advice like this.
by MartElla
Mon Apr 08, 2019 5:00 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What is the qualified pay scale?
Replies: 21
Views: 27747

Re: What is the qualified pay scale?

The PGCE is the credential that they are talking about. It is what you need to teach in international schools. The QTS means Qualified Teacher Status and means you can teach in English state schools. It's not needed for teaching internationally in most places, nor is it needed to teach in many schools in the UK! If you wish to teach in England or Wales at any stage then it's vital, but it's the certification itself that is needed abroad. It's not available however unless in the UK, so therefore the PGCEi is the best option.

If you do subsequently need QTS, then you can go down the AO option. I've not once been asked about my QTS details, however, and this is my sixth international school. A bit annoying as I felt that I sweated blood and tears to get it! However, get a PGCEi and it will not be the same as a PGCE with work-based experience, but it'll be enough for many schools and countries around the world. There are teachers at Tier 1 schools with distance-based PGCEi's so, while not the ideal route, it need not necessarily hold you back.

Further details -
https://www.tes.com/institute/blog/whic ... ernational
by MartElla
Thu Apr 04, 2019 6:55 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Would a TEFL certificate be helpful for getting hired?
Replies: 12
Views: 11516

Re: Would a TEFL certificate be helpful for getting hired?

The kind of schools that would hire you with a TEFL are the kind of schools that would hire you without one as well. Some schools will hire anyone they can and you'll have to mostly target those without a teaching certificate.

I suppose the only other way in might be through applying as an intern or being a cover teacher at a school and then working your way in, perhaps persuading them to take you on while doing a distance learning certification. I doubt that's very likely to be honest, but I cannot really think of anything else in your situation. If you could teach mathematics or physics it might be easier. An uncertified German teaching English, though? Good luck.
by MartElla
Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:35 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What are 'hardship' cities with good international schools?
Replies: 36
Views: 34602

Re: What are 'hardship' cities with good international schoo

If we're only talking about a couple of areas of the cities then that means a number of those places are not really hardship locations. The OP mentioned "Dhaka, Lagos and Manila". I've known people that loved their time in Bangladesh. Admittedly, it was a few years ago and the political situation seems to have been rocky since then, but still. The area of Manila where many of the international schools are located is new, clean and safe. Plus, you have countless tropical beaches and islands a short hop away. Maybe difficult for the single ladies. Lagos? Well, I've never heard anything good about Lagos but no doubt someone else could make a case for it.

So, for some some of the "hardship" locations might just be their perfect fit.