Search found 18 matches

by Asteger
Wed Nov 30, 2022 1:45 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Morals and Contracts
Replies: 48
Views: 203658

Re: Morals and Contracts

I think everyone knows that if you sign a contract, you should carry though on it. If you sign, feeling that the destination school is in an 'undesireable location', then that does not change things. Presumably, the school did not shift locations after you'd signed! Pretending, because the school isn't in your favourite place, that you have some sort of opt-out clause ('I mean, how could they expect us to go there?!') is disingenuous. If this was your feeling when signing, then you did so in bad faith. My feeling is that the OP knows all this, but with discussion is construct some ethical space to feel good about pulling out of a commitment. On the other hand, from the school's point of view it's probably better that you don't come. You probably deceived them, and if you are to be unhappy there then it's better they know now and find someone better.
by Asteger
Sat Jan 01, 2022 4:23 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Delay of New Taxes in China
Replies: 3
Views: 5659

Re: Delay of New Taxes in China

... Now, I am the one with obvious reading comprehension problems. Apologies.

Yes, 2-year extension on 'preferential policies' for expats (with some other stuf) has been given!

More info: https://www.caixinglobal.com/2022-01-01 ... 24816.html
by Asteger
Fri Dec 31, 2021 10:57 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Delay of New Taxes in China
Replies: 3
Views: 5659

Re: Delay of New Taxes in China

Some similar thing appeared on the WeChat news a few days ago - always to be taken with a grain of salt, but in this case there was an official announcment behind it, as the link shows. Yet, nothing really worth discussing here. Any tax changes only seem to concern mid-class domestic families/earners. The content concerning expats seems only to be a reminder of the changes now implemented from *today* - it being new year's day. Oddly, the poster comments that 'In one word, foreigners still can enjoy tax exemption policies for subsidies and allowances such as housing allowance, language class fees, children education fee etc till December 31, 2023'. The poster appears to lack basic reading comprehension, as this is completely at odds with the announcement quoted which simply says for 2019-2021 expats could enjoy tax-free school fees, housing and Mandarin lang classes - which we all already knew of course (2019-2021 being the 3-year grace period for implementing the new taxes, which is perhaps why the announcement mentions it). Meanwhile, 'from 1 January 2022, foreigners shall cease to enjoy tax exemption policies for subsidies and allowances such as housing allowance, language class fees, children education fee' which could not be clearer, and which is just as has been promised.
by Asteger
Sun Dec 05, 2021 10:53 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: New to The Game...
Replies: 64
Views: 215637

Re: New to The Game...

Mathsman wrote:
> Spartan, looking at your list of universities:
>
> A masters is a masters, especially when you're foot is in the door.
> However, certain names do pop out on CVs (oxbridge graduates are somehow
> always guaranteed jobs no matter how rubbish they are...). Bath is a top 10
> uni, and their M.Ed. has a solid reputation.

I've done the MA Ed through Bath. Not having done another MA elsewhere in Education (yet), I can't give too much perspective on the programme. Then again, how often can people give such perspective? That said, I have done post-grad studies at 3 other universities in relevant fields, and so I might be better at comparing than most.

With the Bath summer school and study centre options not feasible for many people now, I think that some of the main attractions of the MA programme have dimmed. Because of the reasonable costs, the SSs and SCs, the fact that that the programme has been around for a while, networking possibilitis, and also Bath's ties to the international education field (the IB, the IPC, etc - you can research the history), Bath makes sense for international educators. On the downside, comparing to my other experiences, there is a lack of scaffolding in the programme, the Moodle online content is pretty useless, commication is not so good, and a lot more an be done. I recall doing a bachelor-level diploma through the OU UK years ago and how thought through, well-written, and organised my courses were, for example, and Bath doesn't come close to this. You are pretty much left on your own to think and research, and this may not appeal to many (it did to me often, but I realised how it suited me). Therefore, I would certainly say Bath is not for everyone. Some might distinguish between more research-focused MA programmes, on one hand, which Bath resembles, vs MEd programmes which may lack a thesis and scaffold you through, even if the MA/MEd difference is more often muddled than not, it seems.

Incidentally, George Mason and Bath were the first 2 universities to support the IB Educator Certificates - the initial 2 hosts to students studying the qualifications. This was over 10 years ago. Not sure if this means Bath would support IBECs better, though. I hold an IBEC myself, but did not earn it through my Bath MA.

You need 3 years IB experience to do an IBEC with your Bath MA programme. Double check, but this is what I recall.
by Asteger
Sat Dec 04, 2021 7:02 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: New to The Game...
Replies: 64
Views: 215637

Re: New to The Game...

Whoa, I bet the original poster got more than he/she bargained for in this discussion. PsyGuy, the amount of detail you (often) share is amazing - though, if I can feedback, all those acronyms may save you some time typing but slow us readers down to a far greater degree which, when put together, will ultimately cost the world a lot more!

I do have some disagreement about the IB Cert Teaching and Learning. I do agree that for most people, unfair as it is, if you just do 'Making the PYP Happen' that will be viewed in the same way on your CV as doing a full cert (also called an IBEC). I did the cert for PYP (took over a year) before my first PYP job, and have always been happy I did. Yes, I hoped it would get me a job, but I was mostly a genuine learner. Arriving at my first PYP school, I also hit the ground running. If you think of things in terms of money/time/CVs the certs are not as well-known or appreciated as they should be, but if you want to equip yourself as a teacher than I think they're a good recommendation. I do think people who are really into the PYP, and I count myself among them (though am not recruiting, sorry!), will appreciate your efforts. I've certainly spoken to recruiters who have said this.

China - My advice, as much as you don't want to hear this, is to get a position in China. You're in a great position to get the sort of job you might like, excepting the location. To be honest, I don't consider your qualifications to be first-rate; it sounds like you've done Teach-Now and got US registration that way, and you lack a solid BEd/PGCE/GradDip. Perhaps you have an otherwise useful bachelor's though, such as in STEAM? Still, I am sure there will be PYP schools in China that will interview you. The same may not be the case elsewhere, generally, considering you need experience.
by Asteger
Sun Nov 21, 2021 6:05 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: US/Canadian license or QTS
Replies: 9
Views: 14599

Re: US/Canadian license or QTS

For Canada, you need eligibility to work in Canada (ie. SIN card), as Shadowjack indicated. However, in addition you will need to be registered as a teacher where you did your initial training and still be in good standing there (ie. in your home country or province, for example). There are also requirements for having completed lengthy, full-time, supervised teaching placements/practicums (eg. 10 to 20 weeks, etc.). Therefore, any online schemes tend not to be acceptable, such as the iPGCEs or Teach Now. Alberta, for instance, explicitly lists several unacceptable qualifications on their website ('... Teach America, TEACH-NOW, Teacher Ready' among them). Things vary province to province, it is true, but I remember checking several in the past and the requirements are largely similar.

Of the 3 options - English QTS, Canadian provinces, US state licences - I am pretty sure the easiest options are in the US, where Teach Now-type qualifications sometimes are accepted. This also makes general sense. While Canadian and US teachers both earn near the top of the scale among OECD countries (although still not that much), it seems teaching is still regarded as a better profession in Canada than in the US. Often it is hard for registered teachers to find work in Canada, and provincial governments can (and should) keep standards for new teachers high.
by Asteger
Sun Nov 14, 2021 12:53 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Out side China job offers
Replies: 13
Views: 22694

Re: Out side China job offers

I think lots of people on ISR who have generalised about people making into China, with/without dependents, are basing their impressions on their current region or perhaps a second one. The ease with which schools can get people in depends a lot on the school and their influence sometimes, but also on where they are. New hires (following delays) have been trickling in over at my school since last summer. There was a delay at some point in issuing PU letters, but then this happed again. This was also happening while other schools or schools in other regions were not doing well in bringing people in. My impression is also that it has been hard to get dependents in in Shanghai and Beijing, and it depends elsewhere. We are not in those 2 cities.

There are lots of other factors to consider. For example, the region you're going to may or may not allow you to get an entry visa if you are applying from a country which is not your home country. Perhaps you are working outside your home country atm. In fact it is very likely you are. Getting a visa may depend on you travelling back to your home country to apply, therefore.

Yes, then there's all the travel. 2 weeks hotel quarantine + 1 week 'home' quarantine: this sounds quaintly simple these days. Where I am, if you've arrived elsewhere and done 2 weeks hotel quarantine there, you do an additional week here, and an additional week at home, so 28 days altogether. But one city - Shenyang - caused a WeChat sensation a few days ago when it was said they require 4 weeks in hotel + 4 weeks at home now. After Guangzhou just opened its new quarantine faciltiies, other cities are apparently building theirs, and one can imagine quarantine requirements will no lighten in the future. Meanwhile, I am wondering what happens to people who are booked to fly into cities in China which currently have 1 or more districts which are not low-risk. If you do your initial hotel quarantine there before moving on to your destination city, will you be allowed to travel? What restriction will also pop up regarding vaccinations? How would a new arrival, who may be required to prove they've been vaxxed in order to enter stations and airports and take flights, then be able to travel to another city if the few flight routes to China from where they are take them to cities where they will not work? As far as I know, foreign papers proving one has had foreign vaxxes won't count. Etc.

As for travelling home during the summer, some better schools are now offering more travel money it seems, to offset the new costs. But then you have your weeks of quarantine to consider, plus the risk you pick up Delta along the way, or your the weekly flight from your city/country is suspended just before you're due to fly because the previous week several passengers were found to be infected on arrival in China. These route suspensions happen all the time, and talk is about futher restrictions in arrivals from abroad ...
by Asteger
Wed Nov 03, 2021 7:32 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: China New Tax Law
Replies: 25
Views: 33558

Re: China New Tax Law

PsyGuy wrote:
> The upcoming issue is going to be which ISs are going to absorb the hefty
> tax cost on tuition waivers/places? Otherwise, China just becomes a no
> dependents IT destination.

Yup, as I wrote above about tax. As for dependents, current policies on this depend on where you are in CN. Until recently I think BJ and SH were no-dependents places, where I am this has not been an issue. However, I think in the past week Beijing at least has begun to support visas for dependants too.

inchinanow wrote:
> During my visit to the tax office the friendly official basically said the
> rent, flight and tuition fees will be taxable at 25%.
>
> If will be impossible for schools to absorb the taxation on the higher
> tuition fees of 300-400k as it is individual teachers responsible for
> paying their own tax liabilities. If a school absorbed the tax on tuition
> fees it would simply mean more taxable income for the teachers. I am also
> sure schools are currently offsetting tax against the free tuition fees
> they are currently offering staff with dependents in the school. A school
> will claim a free school place offered to a teachers child is a lose in
> revenue and claim it back as a legitimate business loss.
>
> No such thing as a free lunch when the taxman is involved.

Not completely clear on your comments, but agree that schools will be scheming to an extent.
by Asteger
Mon Oct 25, 2021 8:49 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: China New Tax Law
Replies: 25
Views: 33558

Re: China New Tax Law

Good idea to get positions at the rare schools who can: guarantee net salary, pay tax on other payments, provide school-owned housing or pay tax on the housing allowances they offer. Otherwise, perhaps wait and see what will happen in the new year.

At any rate, if you work here currently you are basically stuck here for the time being. Too expensive or risky to travel abroad. Plus, as before covid, you always also have the restrictions related to what you read, say, teach, do, watch, think, etc. Yet, you have covid safety here, which is good. And it's a big enough place if there is no flare up or local restrictions. Lots lots of room to explore. Increased good job opportunities, as well.
by Asteger
Fri Aug 20, 2021 1:29 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Getting a police check done if you’ve lived in more countries/ places than one
Replies: 7
Views: 9526

Re: Getting a police check done if you’ve lived in more countries/ places than one

China: Each province (or Tier 1 city) will have a different way of going about their police checks, and at this point I still have not heard of a national check. Technically, if you have lived in more than province/jurisdiction then you should have a check for each place.

I was outside of China about 2 years ago, and when I inquired through an agent was told I could get a check from that province (trustworthy agent), but would have to send my passport. No idea if it would be possible to get checks from other parts of the country in this way from outside of the country - if you'd want to take that chance - or if it would be impossible. My feeling is you'd have to be here in almost every case and what I heard before was an exception (and I think no longer possible).
by Asteger
Fri Aug 20, 2021 12:29 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Apply for QTS using a DC standard license
Replies: 7
Views: 11227

Re: Apply for QTS using a DC standard license

The UK gov has a helpful website for questions like this, one cares to google
by Asteger
Mon Aug 16, 2021 3:44 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Qualified or not?
Replies: 10
Views: 11815

Re: Qualified or not?

You may be told that visa rules go against him in some places. On the other hand, there are still 'exceptions' where things might not seem possible and to an extent if schools really want a candidate sometimes they can find a way.
by Asteger
Sun Aug 08, 2021 12:37 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching in Indonesia without a bachelor's degree
Replies: 15
Views: 44859

Re: Teaching in Indonesia without a bachelor's degree

Although I have ties to Indonesia, I cannot advise the original poster on his question except to say that it would be good simply to google the work visa requirements for English teaching jobs. I think job adverts will actually state requirements, too, so you can even go by these.

However, I would like to take issue with some the things chemteacher101 said regarding teachers and non-teachers, as he/she sees them.

I am certified/licensed as a teacher in 2 countries, have 3 post-graduate degrees in different fields, currently teach in an IB international school, and have years of experience both in mainstream and international schools and in the TESOL world. There are some supremely skilled and talented teachers in the latter field with skills that many in mainstream education might not even be able to appreciate because it would be beyond them. It is true that TESOL teachers will be looked down upon, and many may deserve it, but there are also real experts out there with much to offer.

I am sure that the majority of 'TEFL certs' out there are pretty much just pieces of paper as you say, but there is also excellent training. You lump the CELTA into this group, but I doubt you have this qualification. Though very much an introductory qualification whose prestige is exaggerated by people who only have the one qualification, I would not call this a 'piece of paper'. I did the RSA CTEFLA, the CELTA predecessor, years ago and much of what I do today I can still trave back to that experience.

In contrast you characterise the majority of teachers on this site as well-qualified and talented in comparison to TEFLers who lack an 'actual career'. I'm sure many teachers here are great, although qualifications don't necessarily indicate skill. In addition, unlike what you suggest, the international teaching world also includes many who do not have the qualifications to be registered/certified/licensed in their home countries and perhaps only have academic qualifications in a sought-after discipline or a 9-month part-time PGCEi cert with no teaching placements/practicums/observed teaching.
by Asteger
Mon Jul 26, 2021 1:06 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching Certification
Replies: 8
Views: 11154

Re: Teaching Certification

... Oh, forget about HK. Not sure about active registration in AUS, etc, but recalled: you need to be in HK, at least with a tourist visa stamp in your passport or something. Not a possibility now.
by Asteger
Mon Jul 26, 2021 12:56 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Teaching Certification
Replies: 8
Views: 11154

Re: Teaching Certification

Wow, this thread does not really concern me or my situation, but to PsyGuy above who took the time to write all that, I thought it'd still be good to say thanks! - the original poster can say so too, but that was a lot of work and knowledge conveyed - even if there were a few too many acronyms for my taste!

Is PsyGuy (PG - why not use an acrynym?) correct that you do not have provisional registration in AUS anymore? If you did, you might be able to apply elsewhere for recognition before expiry.

I am familiar with the NZ system, where unforunately if your provisional registration expires after a few years you will need to do a 6-mo refresher to re-qualify. A drag. I assume AUS is a bit similar.

I think I have noticed that a school or two require you to be actively registered in your home country/place of teacher training. However, really? Is there that much of an impediment if you are not regisered in AUS? Do that many schools say this, if at all?

I wonder also if you might check Hong Kong? You can have your foreign qualification recognised there for registration, from what I remember - if a solid qualifiction, with actual observed teaching placements of a certain length (some online programmes won't work). But I do not recall if current registration is required, meaning that expired or suspended registrations won't be (such as due to non-payment of annual fees).

Good luck. Curious to hear how you navigate through things ;)