Job Discussion Forums

[sanpedro72]

Hello Myanmar expats.

I have recently read a discussion on ILBC - Yangon which has unfortunately been locked or closed. So here's a new discussion, as I am faced with an offer from ILBC - Mandalay.

Currently, I work for poorly reputed educational organization in Iraqi Kurdistan. And its poor reputation is rightfully deserved. The general states of education in my view is worse than it's ever been. Internationally stagnant salaries, increased managerial/board corruption, increased working and teaching hours for employees and even more bureaucraZy than ever before. So for me, find a truly decent employer at the age of 40 is a serious matter.

When I read the pros and cons of ILBC I decided to give the posters' experiences an indecisive 50/50 split. Both make valid points.

Here's why I have experienced so far. I applied to ILBC 2.5 months ago and just now received an offer by email. No interview or anything. Usually poorly reputed schools do that. That's not to say that I am not interested, but the contract that is offered (pasted into the email's text) is not up to the usual international school standard. No health insurance, the housing situation is not firm or certain (and therefore still questionable), and I am still confused how salary and target students are determined (again, no prior discussion).

What I find positive. It's not in a Middle Eastern country, Mandalay is a beautiful city (well, according to Google images), and Mandalay is in a wonderfully strategic location for travel.

As for the school, there is nothing Google-able about the Mandalay branch, which I am to assume is new. The only thing I have read about ILBC in a critical way, outside of eslcafe, is that its employment package is nothing to jump about compared to other international schools in Burma. Of course the kids are great; they always are Here's the link to the review: http://www.internationalschoolsreview.com/international-schools/ilbcyis.htm.

Like I said, one negative and one positive statement is not enough to base a decision, so if anyone knows about or has especially worked for ILBC anywhere in Burma, please let your comments be known --- EITHER WAY.

Thank you for posting. J

[Trebek]

An offer with no initial interview should answer all your questions immediately. Why ask us?

[KayuJati]

Based upon the locations you choose to apply and work (Kurdish area of Iraq, Burma), you appear to enjoy frontier teaching (FT; aka Third World). FT is probably quite exciting, but if you want first- or second-world salaries and benefits, then you need to look to first- and second-world locations.

FT locations are a hassle, for sure; but also provide excellent opportunities to get in on the ground level of business opportunities. If you could hack it in Burma for several years -learning the language, making governmental connections- you could probably be one of the first foreigners to start up your own English centre. There aren't that many FT opportunities left in Asia for entrepreneurial action.

[grumpy cat]

Believe me if you check thoroughly on google you will find lots of negative comments about ILBC - all thoroughly deserved.

Take it from a former employee, this is not a school you want to work for.

Your accommodation will be in an old, shared house with 6 other people.

The contract is not worth a damn - they won't stick to it, but will still expect you to.

Steer well clear!