If you do go to Kunimng make sure you go to Moon Dog Bar. It is behind the museum. You'll have a blast.

Primary or High School?

I think primary teachers have can have a good time in the UK's "education system," but as a high-school teacher, let me tell you, it is simply apocalyptic.

I would not allow my dog in the "school" I was at but the poor poms actually have to put their kids in these places!

I lasted a little under two years in it and that was a pretty good stretch as my predecessor had only made it three months. I just lived from bell to bell so that I could avail myself to the holidays and see as much of Europe as possible.

Without exception, I hated every minute I was at the place. I remember counting down from 84 days on my calendar on the way out.

The wage was very good at the place and they did put me on full-time; however, this was back when the pound was strong (almost worth two euro in the early noughties) so the wage for a junior teacher was very hard to beat. Now with the pound like it is I don't know if the remuneration will make it worthwhile.

So, if you are primary it could be worth a shot. But forget secondary. The reason that they will employ foreigners in these jobs is simply because the locals won't touch them.

Meanwhile they just let one of their terrorists free: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/n ... m=Facebook

Unbelievable.

Uh, did Psyguy really just advocate for the existence of the magic stone?!

I really do wonder about you mate.

One question if I may. The blogpost from Chris Crutcher paints a picture of the early days of these events:

"In March of 2014 a parent came to school charging that her first grade child had been raped by cleaning staff in a bathroom close to his classroom. JIS administrators removed all cleaning staff under the ruse of training, then cooperated with police, which resulted in the arrest of two identified cleaners. There was sadness and shock among the entire JIS educational community, and great empathy was exhibited toward the child and Indonesian mother and Dutch father."

What happened with the original two cleaners there? It sounds like they might have been thrown under the bus at the outset so that JIS could protect itself. Is there any indication of any real guilt at all in the early days? Why did the cooperation with police result "in the arrest of two identified cleaners?"

Well it seems like there are a lot of flaws in this case, but what about the five cleaners in this case? They seemed to get sentenced without a care in the world from the IT community.

How was it that they were convicted? Was their trial just as farcical?

There is another thread here about one year stints at schools. I think you'd better look at that. Needless to say, you are going to have to show some more commitment.

I've seen the latest 'developments' in the MYP. Seems like more hoops to jump through. When compared to the DP, the MYP demands so much but delivers so very little.

I have heard that many schools have now had enough of the MYP and are dropping it, but other than the example of a school in Singapore, I haven't seen any solid evidence of this.

Is there anywhere to get some candid information on the MYP? Obviously the IB is not the place.

I'm going to assume that you have a trailing spouse and/or dependents.

Yes, it is frustrating. I had the same experience. When I was single but with little experience, I had job offers and interviews aplenty. Years down the track with far more experience, wisdom and skill but with a 'trailing spouse', things are far more difficult.

It seems ridiculous that the "better" schools are so keen to save the two or three thousand USD that a trailing spouse would cost them that they by and large seem to screen out such candidates and the experience they come with; but I believe the scramble for young singles has become something of a competition amongst them now. In fact, the Bangkok fair with SA is now exclusive to singles and teaching couples.

One thing that has helped has been getting my spouse into the trade as a teachers' aide. Fortunately, she loves and has excelled at this job. She has had some PYP training already and she is keen to increase her education in the job.

Of course, I know that we are going to find ourselves back down the bottom of the heap again if we have children.

Even a run of two year stints can be harmful mate. I went to a presentation at the SA fair in Bangkok from a director at a prestigious school in South America. He said, "always stay a third year." I listened to him on that one and am reaping the benefits now.

Anything more recent on this place? I have a mate considering it because he thinks things may have changed since the last post.

> If you look at posts you will see PsyGuy thinks he knows everything and
> always needs the last word. While he has some good insights and the like on
> certain things, however he doesn't hesitate to give incorrect information
> for the sake of having himself seen as knowledgeable.

This is very true.

We have two of them here. PM me if you want details.

Labour Contract Law (2008) states that you only need give one month's notice. Please do not listen to these people telling you to do a midnight run. You do not need to pay this separation fee even though you signed a contract saying you would because it is illegal.

Though China abandoned Marxism long ago, there is still something of a spirit of fairness for workers in its present law.

If you need any help please PM me.

There is a website for international cost of living comparisons which is extrememly good. www.numbeo.com