If you are concerned about credibility issues then higgsboson actually makes SighGuy look good. Here is a previous posting from our favourite 'elementary particle':

"What a bunch of twats most of you twonks really are! The issue is clear as day: BIS screwed the OP over and should be burned to the ground, with the admin team chained to their desks. Its schools like BIS that made me realize, do them before they do you.

I'm about to do my school over big time! I'll collect my salary, tell them all, "see you Monday" and then catch a taxi to the airport. I only wish I could be there to see the looks on their faces when a key IB teach with 4 EE students to supervise never shows up. Bet the OP wishes he could have done over BIS in a like manner.

International schools are just businesses and its the teachers job the take care of himself. Take the money and run, like I did once in Europe. I showed up for the free week in a hotel, took the relocation money and headed for Thailand. That's the way to do it!" (Quote="higgsboson")

@SighGuy,

Yes, and often what places the candidate in the short list in the first place is the experience that they bring...not being cheap. I don't think you know what you say you know.

@thirstyinthedesert,

As can often be the case, SighGuy is talking from where the sun don't shine! You will not get a job in a German municipal school as, not surprisingly, they don't tend to have a need for language B teachers. Good schools generally will want experienced teachers if they can find them, and will not be worried about the fact that this puts you higher up the pay scale. As already stated, most schools do cap new hires at around step 9/10 (based upon years of experience) and do not then go looking for the cheapest teacher they can find, unless it is a matter of all things being equal between two candidates.

Dear thirstyinthedesert,

To counter SighGuys claim...I would say you have a very good chance, particularly within Europe where German IS a popular second language (Language B). Many schools actually prefer to hire non-native speakers of language B as those teachers can be more in tune with the language B learner's needs. Different issue for teaching German language A of course, where a native speaker would have the advantage.

The fact that you have a European passport and other areas of teaching experience would make you an even more attractive candidate on the basis of your CV.

Guest...the director is a woman!

Dear pupkus7,

I really do hope that with every post you get 'a little smarter'. I am also hopeful that based upon your last comment you have integrity...which (unfortunately) some members of this forum lack.

As loopy as this thread is...I can't resist him.

Sigh Guy...I asked a question, please answer. Give the percentage of mother tongue English speakers in ASL and the source of your evidence.

According to its website, ASL has over 50 different nationalities in its student body.

Sigh Guy - give the percentage of mother tongue English speakers in the school and the source of your evidence.

Wrong...no major restructuring, just new buildings and redevelopment of old buildings.

Define short existence? The school has been going since 1993...

Smells like a troll, sounds like a troll...by goodness...it's a troll.

@ Higgsboson...I repeat my message to you. You use the existence of unscrupulous schools as an excuse. You have made it clear that you are happy to lie and cheat, but say you do so because there are liars and cheats in the world. Sorry, but you are simply a liar and a cheat and in your last email you have also made it very clear that you have no qualms about ensuring that your students pay the price for your actions.

Dear Sigh Guy,

Provide the data...be brave and give us an example. I hope you don't name one of the five international schools that I have worked at because then I will be able to prove that you don't know what you think you know :-).

Dear POison:

I will leave it to you to decide which of the emails is "fear mongering"...if there is such a thing. Perhaps the clue lies in the claim..."how admins perceive them especially behind their backs".

It would be funny if it wasn't so sad that he is a representative of my profession.

Dear POlson:

I can confirm that Walter's version of life for EAL teachers is the reality at my own school. There is absolutely no distinction between our EAL teachers and any other member of staff and they are very well respected. Indeed, they are recognised as providing essential skills for our english language developers, without which they really could not be successful in any other course delivered in the target language (English). We also support the philosophy that all of our teachers are language teachers, and in this the EAL department are responsible for providing ESL in the Mainstream guidance for the faculty and run regular professional development sessions.

IB Diploma English B is also a very popular course in the school.