Psyguy, I didn't mean that I thought Saudi would be a stepping stone to Europe. I actually spent part of my childhood on the Aramco compound and like Saudi a lot. But I want to work in a reputable school there, either the American or British schools in Riyadh or Jeddah.

Europe is my other ideal location. Do you really think I should resign from my current job at a tier 2 IS to go teach ESL online in Europe to maximise my chances there? I was always advised that it is easier to get a job when you have a job. Also, my first IS job was in Europe. It paid very little, which is why I left. I was hoping for something in central or eastern Europe this time.

If you are involved in recruitment, approximately how many applications do you receive for a position?

Specifically, how many for an IB English position? And how many of those applications are from viable candidates?

I have 10 years of experience with IB DP and am looking to move on, but haven't received any response to the 5 positions I've applied for so far. I've been at my current international school for 5 years, and my previous international for 5 years, with 2 years before that in the UK.

I'm assuming Europe is the most competitive region? What about Saudi?

I've applied to three posts in Europe and two in Saudi. I've been using the TES, but perhaps should sign up for SEARCH as well?

Do you mean that you want help with writing the application essays, or just collecting information?

It is tedious to gather up all the information, I know, but if I were you, I would try to do it myself since you should be trying to tailor each packet to the individual school. Sometimes, there are subtle ways you can do this even when listing simple facts/required information; if you pay someone else to do it, they may include all necessary info, but the apps won't each have the same care and attention to detail you could provide yourself.

If you need help writing the application essays, you should plan to draft each one multiple times. Use the first draft to get the information down. Then go through again to check for grammar/syntax issues. Get a trusted friend (English teachers are good for this) to read it at this point, and to offer feedback. Then give it a final polish. It is really best to write it yourself this way, rather than to pay someone else to do it.

I want to start interviewing for next year, but I wonder if I maybe I haven't stayed long enough at my previous schools. Are my times spent teaching at previous schools a red flag?

1. current international school: 4 years (teaching subject at IB level)

2. previous international school: 3 years

3. US school: 2 years (teaching subject at AP level)

4. first international school: 1 year (I left after 1 year because it was a dodgy school in Middle East where I was sexually harassed by admin, not that I can say this at an interview)

5. 1 year "gap year" teaching English at a school in the country where my mom was born, and I speak the local language. (I left this school because teachers are paid about $400 a month in that country: maybe I should leave this stint off my reaching resume?).

Thanks fine dude!

Do the number scores correspond with traditional letter grades? For example, is a 6 a B, etc.?

What is a "good average"? Could someone give an approximate description of a below average, an average, and an above average class performance?

I don't teach IB, but my child is starting the Diploma program at our school next year.

No, PsyGuy, my advice is not based on "scary campfire stories". I have a family member who works in financial planning, and he has worked with multiple people who, like you, thought that they could really walk away from loans, or didn't understand what it meant to default, or that default would happen whether they ignored the loans or not. I also know someone who works for American Student Assistance, and they have a lot to say about the stupidity of people who try to run away from loans: it will mess up your life.

There are a lot of ITs who are going to have a nasty surprise when their student loan situation catches up to them. I still think this is a good topic for the blog, moderators. It might also benefit people who have run away from their loans, but not yet defaulted, to learn how they can fix things, or people who HAVE defaulted who might be too scared to try to face and repair the situation (to the extent to which it is possible).

PsyGuy,

You are painfully ill-informed, and I hope nobody is encouraged to bail on their loans due to your reckless and irresponsible posts re: the matter.

Also, your opinion about the ethics of the loan situation doesn't change the fact that you borrowed money, knowing the implications and terms, and knowing the salary potential of a teacher.

PsyGuy,

If you have federal student loans (and most borrowers due), and you default on those loans, the government may garnish your wages and seize your tax returns without suing you in court or "serving you" with any kind of documentation. In addition, your credit will be destroyed, making it very difficult to buy a car, home, and many other inconveniences when you do return to the US. I know you don't plan to return, but most people do, and it is very irresponsible to tell them here that there are no consequences for defaulting on student loans. Finally, the IRS is working with the D. of Homeland Security in ways it hadn't in the recent past: I know someone who was denied a passport renewal because he hadn't filed income taxes in years, and was flagged by the IRS to Homeland Security. This is happening more and more frequently: don't you think the ever increasing scrutiny and government involvement with Homeland Security will eventually begin to catch up people who defaulted? I do.

And...it is disgusting for anyone to borrow money to pay for a degree that prepares for a job for which the salary ranges are known, and then just skip the country to ignore the debt.

There are tiny, rural-ish schools that are there to serve the families of a foreign company with a branch in that location. Some of them pay very, very well. Other tiny, rural schools really are just host country private schools. Do your research on this.

Well, wrldtrvlr123, what you are describing is not what PsyGuy indicated, but I hope your summary of his situation is accurate.

I've met several overseas teachers who simply "walked away" from their loans, and don't seem to understand the implications for their future. I have a family member who works in financial planning, etc., and he's encountered multiple people whose families have employed him to fix the financial messes of people who tried to avoid paying their student loans.

Moderators, this would be a great blog topic.

PsyGuy, you wrote: "Once you leave the US if you make a career out of IE, you can leave your loans behind. Thee are no effective enforcement actions the US could take to collect, and you will have a new credit profile."

You are so very wrong! Those "effective enforcement actions" ARE in place: you have just avoided detection thus far. The reach of that "effective enforcement" increases with every year, and you will be caught out eventually in a very unpleasant way. Do you have an American bank account or assets in the US? Do you plan to keep applying for new US passports? At some point, you will have a nasty surprise related to one of these thing.

I can't believe you are advising other Americans to run away from their loans. The only way this would work indefinitely is if the American never intends to return to the US, and if the American has no US bank account, no assets at home, and doesn't plan ever to collect SS or the like, and the American isn't planning on holding a US passport for the rest of his/her life.

PsyGuy, wow...I just...I can't even....

My school has a "country-native" headteacher...of the high school English department. His English isn't very good, but he's been here longer than anyone else, so he kind of fell into the position back when the school was starting out and small. Disaster.

Thanks for the info! (I decided not to go with QSI...).

Do they offer housing?

I don't think 3,000 a month, plus housing, is too much. In fact, for that area, I would expect housing, flights, and at LEAST 3,000 a month. If you are experienced, $3,500+ a month.

I am not so far from Serbia, so I'm basing this advice on Eastern European packages; Serbia is near that region.