Job Discussion Forums

[bgates276]

Hello,

I wasn't sure where else to post this because ISS has International Bachelorette schools all over the world. Has anyone used their services and landed a job with them? Apparently it costs $185 just to use their recruiting services for a year so I wanted to make sure it was worth it. What are the salaries like and how are the job conditions? The problem is, I go to the web site of many of these international schools and there is no information about salaries.

[Trebek]

I signed on with ISS early December. It takes a month for them to go through your paperwork and decide whether you are worthy of the international schools that they represent. They pretty much do all the time comsuming pre-screen work which is why so many international schools use them.

You shouldn't consider joining them unless you are ready to plunk down an extra $290 to attend one of their 5 day job fairs (plus flight and hotel of course). There should be more than 40 schools with positions in my subject areas attending the fair, and hopefuly I'll land a job.

After being through the usual teachers job search, involving countless hours of filling out applications, writing essays, waiting for each school to pre-screen me etc... I don't mind the expense of paying to do all this at once though ISS.

I'll let you know more after the job fair next month.

[Trebek]

The salaries are generally as high or higher than I currently make as a Utah teacher with 13 years experience and a BA plus 36. Many also include free housing or generous housing allowances. Many are in countries where your taxed very little compared to my current tax rate. Most pay your annual fights back home. But be sure to read the benefits of each school, some aren't so good. Hope this helps.

[bgates276]

I didn't have enough posts to send you a private message but perhaps you can tell me what you earn in Utah with all your experience. Do you have a bachelor's with certification? If this is too personal than send me a pm. I know in Canada, starting salaries in the public school system is about 50k and goes up to around 90k with lots of experience.
I know that the pay for an ESF international school in Hong Kong is pretty good. Starting salary of 361,000 HK per year plus 8000 for living allowance a month and a 20% bonus at the end of the contract, taxed at only 16% means you can SAVE about $50,000 Canadian dollars a year if you live cheaply. The only ISS School that I could find that posted their salary was one in Columbia and the total salary was only about $20-25 thousand for the year before expenses or taxes. Surely most schools are better than this.
Perhaps, if you got some numbers, you could post the salaries of some of the better schools when you get more information.

Thanks

[tttompatz]

[bgates276]

Not a newbie mistake.MOD EDIT BTW, I don't know anywhere where the GDP per capita is only 3k a year. Maybe some African countries but I don't know anyone who goes there to teach English. You do have a good point though where everything is equal besides cost of living. A good example would be choosing Korea over Japan where the salaries would be approximately the same but the cost of living in Japan is much higher. From what I've seen though, the pay in places like Thailand is so much lower that it is not worth it in my opinion even if the costs of living are much lower. Maybe you have something special though like a University position if you are getting 3-4 months vacation a year.
I guess the key is finding a place where you can make lots and the costs of living won't eat too much into your savings. I don't have my bachelor of education yet, but I certainly think it opens up many more lucractive opportunities. Hong Kong and some international schools are just a few examples.

[tttompatz]

[Trebek]

Utah doesnt pay that well... I made 50k last year. After taxes and other fees I take home 3200 monthly. Teaching in an international school my lifestyle and savings potential would be far better in most places. Japan and Western Europe seem to be the exceptions. South American International schools dont seem to pay that well but most offer housing.

[Trebek]

Keep in mind that most ISS represented schools require 2 years teaching experience in the country you are certified in. They also prefer teaching couples over single people like me.

[tttompatz]

[bgates276]

Trebak, I found an interesting discussion on ISS here:

http://internationalschoolsreview.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/viewtopic.php?t=23

Apparently, several people have been burnt by ISS. If you quit your job before the end of the contract, the directors will call ISS and they will blackball you from any future employment or recruiting fairs. Something to consider is subscribing to internationalschoolreview.com before you commit to a position so you know what you are getting into with a particular school.

BTW, what are the salaries like in Japan? One school that interested me was Fukuoka International School but if it is not worth it then I may look elsewhere when the time comes.

Sidenote. 13 years experience and only getting 50k gross a year? Geez, you could be making a lot more in Hong Kong NET program. Worth checking out too.

[Trebek]

Gates:

I don't see ISS as doing something wrong by blackballing, when a teacher doesn't fulfill a contract. The State of Utah would do the same thing. When you sign your contract, you should complete it. I know there are variables and circumstances but a reputable school, who sinks thousands of dollars on a teacher, has a right to expect the teacher to fulfill his/her contract.

I do appreciate the internationalschoolreview.com and HK NET recommendations. Teachers would be wise to check out any school that offers them a job.

[Trebek]

BTW: Fukuoka International pays a salary range of $39,000 - $61,000 Plus 60,000 yen per month housing allowance. They do tax your salary in HK but I'm not sure what the rate is.