Search found 11 matches

by GoingMyWay
Sat Aug 08, 2020 10:05 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Year off?
Replies: 12
Views: 12255

Re: Year off?

Lots of people take a year off and don't do anything related to education and it does not affect them. If fact I have done before. Make the most of it though. Don't spend it watching Netflix someplace. I'd make a list of things you always wanted to do but think of things of course you can do in one place.
Maybe go someplace to really get into good health with a good diet and exercise, pursue a hobby, maybe do another type of work, but you could also teach online. There are a lot of companies where you teach ESL online and there will only be more due to pandemic.
Have fun!
by GoingMyWay
Sat Aug 08, 2020 9:55 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What do you do when it's not working and you leave early?
Replies: 12
Views: 13176

Re: What do you do when it's not working and you leave early?

Communication is important. Also for sure there are many mutually agreed upon contract breakings. And, over the years I have seen people do those and do complete runners and end up better than where they were. I think recruiters understand that some teachers are hired and promises are not honoured and pulling runners would be almost expected if there was no release from a contract. While some recruiters may think 'Ya, well, they should have stuck it out", I think that's complete bollocks. If you are promised extra medical help for your own child or a specific grade level or subject to teach or accommodation only to arrive and that is not honoured then you are perfectly entitled to get the hell out of there. And even recruiting agencies can be sympathetic towards you. I know of schools that have been banned by recruiting agencies for shafting their staff time and again.
by GoingMyWay
Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:45 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What do you do when it's not working and you leave early?
Replies: 12
Views: 13176

Re: What do you do when it's not working and you leave early?

Fangpiren,
I would be very interested in knowing the country you left which had strong labour laws.
by GoingMyWay
Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:34 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What do you do when it's not working and you leave early?
Replies: 12
Views: 13176

What do you do when it's not working and you leave early?

I'm curious what people do if things are not working out at a new posting (as a teacher or administrator) and you end up leaving between October and Christmas by resigning or pulling a runner and there's no vacancy anywhere elsewhere in the world that you want to accept.
Where do you go?
What do you do in terms of keeping yourself buys until recruiting begins for the following September?
by GoingMyWay
Fri Mar 20, 2020 10:43 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Websites to teach French to elementary? I know, I know :P
Replies: 1
Views: 4324

Websites to teach French to elementary? I know, I know :P

I know this may not be the place for it but we are in lockdown and I'm locked out of Facebook which I would otherwise use in this case. I need to teach my students in French online. I need a list of free websites (or with trials) for teaching French as a Second Language to Grade 5s and 6s but also include fun online French activities and games for them to use by themselves in their own time. I also need to teach social sciences and science in French. The students are mostly native English speakers and they have a good base for French. I've Googled but there's loads to go through, hoping someone has already separated the wheat from the chaff and can save me some time.
Thanks in advance and best wishes to you all out there dealing with these difficult times while away from family, friends, co-workers and our usual support systems.
by GoingMyWay
Sun Jan 19, 2020 10:15 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: In 50s ready to relocate: comparing pension options
Replies: 10
Views: 19177

Re: In 50s ready to relocate: comparing pension options

I'm torn as to what to do. My salary in Ontario is basically. $100,000 per year. But we are in strike mode now and teaching is a tough gig. I could get an immediate permanent position if I taught French which I am certified to do but reluctant. And because they are so short of French teachers here once you start in French you are permanently restricted to teaching in French. There are many factors in my decision: family in Ontario, I should also receive a bit of an inheritance, where I actually like teaching, etc. I'm finding out that Canadian teacher salaries are actually quite good and that Europe may not in fact be better except in terms of a pension. I may talk with a broker friend of mine. I'm also going to read some of the books suggested. Another factor is moving into administration. That raises the salary too but school admin don't seem to be a happy lot.
by GoingMyWay
Wed Jan 15, 2020 11:49 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: In 50s ready to relocate: comparing pension options
Replies: 10
Views: 19177

Re: In 50s ready to relocate: comparing pension options

Thanks Helen.
I should clarify I don't have that Ontario teacher's pension. The amount I stated is what I would receive if I worked in Ontario to age 65. I have only taught a little in Ontario. As of now I have worked so little I would not be entitled to any pension at all I would only receive a lump sum of $16,000 CDN.
I personally prefer teaching in hot inexpensive countries and have taught in such countries in Asia before and loved it. My problem isn't saving it's investing. I don't want to have to worry about stocks going up and down and bonds and GICs and getting ripped off with fees, etc. And how does one release investments for a regular stream of income when retired? It also seems in that situation being 'wiped-out' financially from some financial disaster is more of a possibility. A pension from a solid European country is fool proof and thus for me worry proof.
I've heard of a few books like the one you mention, and The Wealthy Barber and The poor Teacher or something. I've never read any but I think I'll pick one of them up.
Anyone else have some thoughts? I know I've seen others in my position posting similar questions.
by GoingMyWay
Tue Jan 14, 2020 1:45 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: In 50s ready to relocate: comparing pension options
Replies: 10
Views: 19177

In 50s ready to relocate: comparing pension options

In 50s ready to relocate: comparing pension options

Over the past year I've seen several people in a similar situation to mine and with the same thoughts.

My situation:
-location Ontario, Canada
-aged 50
-single, no dependents
-elementary school teacher with 20 years experience teaching abroad and 3 years supply teaching in Ontario, with a masters degree
-My present salary in Ontario is with vacation pay is:
$99,700 Canadian
=69,000 Euros
=$76,000 USA
-average tax rate 27%

I thought European salaries were higher compared to Ontario Canada but I'm not so sure now. European taxes are also higher than Canadian. But, I think teachers receive a larger pension in Europe. So if I relocate to Europe while I might have less disposable income for now, when I retire I would be better off pension wise. I'm free to relocate anywhere in the world but value a solid pension from a stable country over big savings that I would need to fret over when investing and organizing a regular stream of income in my retirement years.

NOTE: I just checked with the Ontario Teacher Pension and if I worked to age 65. I would received roughly $2000 CDN a month pension. Things were unclear over the phone and I'm going to get clarity on that and taxes and other benefits retired Canadians are entitled to.

1. Am I mistaken regarding any of this: salaries in Europe, pensions, the comparison, anything else?
2. Any thoughts on a country to relocate to and type of school where to work; state/private?
by GoingMyWay
Fri Jan 03, 2020 10:44 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Long term disability: It's very important.
Replies: 6
Views: 11115

Re: Long term disability: It's very important.

I would be very concerned about private insurance offered by companies. They could go belly up. For me the only sure thing would be something provided by the state in a stable developed and country. Also, it would have to be indefinite long term benefits. What happens if something happens so you can't work after you're 28 years old but you live another 50 years? That could happen.
by GoingMyWay
Thu Dec 26, 2019 11:36 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Long term disability: It's very important.
Replies: 6
Views: 11115

Long term disability: It's very important.

Over the past few years I have seen a few people go on long term disability in countries like the USA, Canada and Australia. Some barely eek out an existence. It can be a very dismal life if you can't walk, cook, bath yourself or even dress or operate a smartphone and not receive proper care through some type of program. I'm becoming very aware of how bad luck can strike at any time and how important long term disability is especially if you are alone in the world. I can only imagine how much worse it could be if you are a single parent of a young child or children.
I look at some school profiles at Search Associates and see 'Long term disability' is a benefit. But what exactly does that mean for a school in Thailand or Mexico or even Japan?
My opinion is that the best long term disability would be in central western and northern Europe.
Does anyone have any comments or has anyone seen the type of care one receives in any of these European countries or other countries and could help inform us?
by GoingMyWay
Sun Dec 15, 2019 12:09 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: IB 'Feedback and Complaints' and 'Whistleblowing Policy'
Replies: 12
Views: 14963

Re: IB 'Feedback and Complaints' and 'Whistleblowing Policy'

I am a teacher and completed an online IB workshop this past year and do not think I was treated fairly. The problem was purely related to the business/profit side of the IB. I was pretty shocked at what they did considering the Learner Profile attributes, attitudes, etc. which the IB espouses. I lodged a concern with the IB but they were not sympathetic. I followed up with two polite emails; the last one they never even bothered replying to. I've been thinking of lodging a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I'm going to try again through their 'Feedback and Complaints' page. If successfully resolved I'll move on but if not if anyone is interested I'll post here what the problem was. Maybe someone will have suggestions for further action.