The International Schools Review Forum

Hi everyone,

I have been invited for an interview for the International School of Koh Samui. I was wondering if anyone had any experience of the school, as they haven't been reviewed on here. I was also wondering about negotiation of pay (anyone who has experience of this may be able to help). Any help would be much appreciated as it's my first interview for an international school.

Thank you x

Formerly Bluewater IS. Last time I checked they were offering an extremely low salary. That said, things may have changed?
Look on their website and the ages of all those in senior positions and ask yourself- or them - a few searching questions.

Another thing to consider: Thailand has changed and is no longer the paradise it was sold as.

Its a third tier school, little more than a language school for Russian foreigners and locals. They pay near the high end of the ESOL market about 50K BT, its mostly a young staff and teachers who moved up and away from the BKK ESOL market. The school is very under-resourced, but you can show up do your job, smile, go home, no ones going to expect you to move mountains or make any all-stars.
If you like a quieter beach life, youd probably enjoy the location, but its not BKK or anything even remotely close.

Don't know anything about the school, but if the above post is accurate about the 50k baht salary then that is an absurdly low amount for living in Thailand. After Thai taxes it will be closer to 40k, and Samui is arguably the most expensive place in Thailand (or maybe 2nd most after Phuket). It is also very expensive or time consuming to get off the island when you need to.

I like Thailand but it's not the cheap and easygoing place it used to be. Even on 100k baht/month I would have to think really hard about moving there. 50k is a joke.

@buffalofan

Theres about a 10K range of negotiation that the school can add as an incentive for HOD, coordinator, and lead roles, but they reall mean nothing, and just mean you go to an extra meeting.

I know many ESOL teachers living off 30K BT and a couple adjunct Uni/Poly lecturers making 20K BT.

100K BT I could easily live very well for myself on that.

I used to be one of those ESOL teachers making 30k baht/month...13 years ago when I had no teaching qualifications. Guess those salaries haven't moved much. It was tough at times to make ends meet back then on 30k when the cost of living was way lower, I have no idea how people do it in 2015.

I wouldn't return to Thailand for less than 100k baht/month with paid housing. Personally, I don't think qualified teachers should accept anything less. Thailand is not a cheap place to live anymore.

?

And thank you all for your help x

@lamcys92

That is an unrealistic expectation. Buffalo fan is a veteran, your an entry level IT. The third tier of ISs is about 60K BT, 2nd tier 80K BT, 1st tier 100K BT and elite tier schools 120K+ BT. So unless ISB or Patana suddenly wanted an entry level IT, that salary isnt likely.

@psyguy

Thank you for that information.. it's been really helpful.

lamcys92 - Aim high and see what happens! I am an elementary teacher with 2 years experience in my home country. I have just accepted a job at my first choice school in Thailand, one which I have heard lots of people on this board refer to as an 'elite' school. After reading posts on this board I thought wouldn't have a hope of getting a job there with my small amount of experience but I'm glad I didn't listen... If you have good qualifications and references and have shown initiative and passion in your current job then you never know. Don't be discouraged!

@mermaidsushi

You were quite successful, but your experience is not typical.

Aim high, but dont ONLY focus on schools that are outside your marketability. Countless times I have been to fairs where candidates are ONLY interested in WE, or only interested in JP, and then they become frustrated when they leave with nothing. This is not a profession to bring a tourists mentality.