Search found 30 matches

by chuck
Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:53 am
Forum: Forum 2. Ask Recruiting Questions, Share Information. What's on Your Mind?
Topic: Turkey- a new dawn
Replies: 7
Views: 30991

Re: Turkey- a new dawn

I have a friend who is leaving after the 1st year of his contract. Hates it there. Inflation, Politics, school is too isolated on outskirts of Istanbul. And he is a very easy going fellow....
by chuck
Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:48 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Applying to Dubai
Replies: 7
Views: 8065

Re: Applying to Dubai

I think there is a huge difference in GEMS schools. I worked at one 10 years ago in Dubai. I still have friends working in Dubai.
GEMS is known for bean-counting as a for profit institution. That bothers a lot of teachers. I dealt with it well, as I like to teach my classes, coach, and go and enjoy where I am living without investing into the admin drama. If you strongly believe that decisions in education should be made with regards to money considerations, then don't work at GEMS. You will be frustrated. Also some of the GEMS schools were making people work a lot of hours, like GWA. At DAA, people typically left just after the kids did...big difference.
by chuck
Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:38 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Whereabouts for a young family?
Replies: 4
Views: 5426

Re: Whereabouts for a young family?

I have had many friends live and teach in Muscat. They all say it is very family oriented. Great with kids. Nice community. I know that living in Dubai was not so family friendly...more of a singles place.
by chuck
Sat Mar 05, 2016 4:28 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Cayman Schools
Replies: 3
Views: 7223

Cayman Schools

Anyone give some advice about teaching and living in the Caymans as a teacher? Is travelling off the island to South America difficult as it appears flights all go to North America? Are there any good schools there?
by chuck
Tue Feb 23, 2016 5:36 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Job Offer Question
Replies: 5
Views: 7864

Re: Job Offer Question

That's enough money. Not much left over unless your husband gets a job (could supply teach at your school). Otherwise, you could tutor for extra money, quite lucrative. Many schools allow it, sometimes even in your classroom after hours. Not sure what the going rate is currently (was 200 dirhams/hr in 2009).
by chuck
Mon Dec 21, 2015 4:46 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: eritrea?
Replies: 4
Views: 9218

Re: eritrea?

I know an expat teaching there. The negative reality is really about living a quiet, desolate, blackout burdened life (blackouts all the time, little internet as a result). However, he loves the quiet life, really good italian food and cafes. He says it is safe. Been there 2 years now.
by chuck
Sun Nov 01, 2015 8:32 pm
Forum: Forum 2. Ask Recruiting Questions, Share Information. What's on Your Mind?
Topic: Interview and relocation advice needed -Dubai
Replies: 5
Views: 16117

Re: Interview and relocation advice needed -Dubai

I worked at GEMS til 2009. I agree with Vandsmith's comments. If you can deal with the corporate slant, it is okay to work there. If you are an education purist, you might find GEMS management style very disappointing and unbecoming.
by chuck
Sun Nov 01, 2015 8:27 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Santo Domingo
Replies: 2
Views: 4262

Re: Santo Domingo

Yes, I am interested in the CM school as well. I do know a few people that worked there 7 years ago. They enjoyed the school and spoke of meeting a lot of famous baseball players while there. I noticed some new postings and the pay seems good. Maybe someone can answer if it is a good spot for the region?
by chuck
Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:07 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Search Toronto - a good idea for an experienced teacher?
Replies: 1
Views: 3275

Re: Search Toronto - a good idea for an experienced teacher?

Probably not a good idea if you want to end up at a good school. Usually only a handful of decent schools show up in Toronto. Check the website to see who is attending and then go to Boston or even the Queen's Fair in Kingston. When I went a couple of years ago, there was only 1 school I thought was worth working at, and luckily we got the job. However, we were reserved in Boston just in case.
by chuck
Wed May 14, 2014 9:08 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Have you taught (or are you...) in the Middle East?
Replies: 9
Views: 13805

Re: Have you taught (or are you...) in the Middle East?

The GEMS schools in UAE are reasonable for expats. I wouldn't say they are exceptional for kids education considering they are really about profit, but compared a lot of the schools in Dubai you could do much worse. i visited UAS years ago, it looked new and had some nice facilities, but the teachers found it just tolerable and it's location was isolated. ASD is by far the best if you can get in. I can only really speak on Dubai though.
by chuck
Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:52 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: American School In Dubai
Replies: 5
Views: 7346

Dubai

I used to work at DAA. I agree, ASD is much better, but DAA was okay.
by chuck
Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:50 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Anyone going to the AASSA fair in Atlanta?
Replies: 21
Views: 25302

AAASA

Hi School Counsellor,

I am interested in asking you a few questions. Can you send me your email. Mine is johnken2011@gmail.com
by chuck
Thu Oct 03, 2013 6:08 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: GEMS schools--student-centered, or run like a business?
Replies: 4
Views: 6190

Gems Schools

I agree 100% with the previous reviewer. You tend to not notice the corporate elements but when you do it is very frustrating.
by chuck
Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:55 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Search San Francisco
Replies: 12
Views: 13474

San Fran

The list of schools is soild. Much better than the Toronto fair. As long as many don't cancel, you should have quite a few good schools to choose from. There may not be many Tier 1 schools, but many good Tier 2
by chuck
Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:03 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Toronto Search Fair
Replies: 8
Views: 8645

Toronto Search

It looks like there are few good schools this year, actually looks pretty bad. The only decent schools are Brent (I had a friend who liked it there), ASK, Seoul Foreign, AIS Riyadh (they tend not to hire here), and Singapore. Good Luck, you may want to hold off for Boston.....Ray Sparks is an awesome guy though....he is helpful....