Job Discussion Forums

Fishy · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 138

Hello everybody,

I'm currently speaking to a few different national plus schools about jobs. A couple of them have asked me what my salary expectations are and I'm unsure what to ask for. I'm worried I'll sell myself short and don't want to scare them off at the same time.

What is the going rate at the better national plus schools? What can I expect with a year of tefl, celta, degree and a PGCE in secondary teaching? Feel free to pm me if you don't want to post.

Many thanks

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

Hi Fishy,

Disclosure: I've never worked for a national plus school, nor am I aware of their pay scale.

But, if I were to apply for Global Jaya or Tiara Bangsa, I'd say my expectation for a starting salary would be around US$3000 per month. Plus housing, airfare, health insurance and end of contract bonus.

This would be for 1-3 years experience

In my opinion, it's better to aim for a salary slightly on the high end, BUT mention that you're willing to negotiate. This way, you won't sell yourself short, nor will you scare them off.

Good luck

wannaBguru · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 110

there is such a wide disparity of national plus schools and the salaries they offer that it might be better if u gave the name of the schools. perhaps current/former teachers would be able to give u a realistic idea of the salary range.

usually i dont answer that question for the very reason u mentioned. if pressed i give something like.... salary open depending on benefits package. ie. housing, airfare, bonus, health, etc.

put the ball back in their court. they know what their budget is. they should tell u. as rayman says, u dont want to sell yourself short, but if u ask for way over their budget, they wont even bother to nego with u. if they dont tell me, i move on to the next school. i dont mind negotiating, but dont have time for playing games.

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

Wow, do national plus schools really pay $3000 a month plus free housing etc Rayman?

What is a teacher on at a national plus school that A, pays better than average, and B, has say 10 years experience?

sherlock · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 72

Almost all nat plus school packages include housing/housing allowance, visas, airfares, and reasonable holidays.

I have never heard of a nat plus school paying $3000 with all these benefits. I have seen many positions advertised and they all are in the range of $1200 - $1800 per month. Of Course some of the big ones will pay more, but $3000 is what you will start on at a mid range international school.

It is really hard to say, seeing as I don't know your school but I would be asking for around $2000 (just to be safe) and work your way from there. I don't think they will be offended with such an amount and you shouldn't be selling yourself short.

Fishy · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 138

Thank you all for your replies. I didn't want to name the school as I'd rather remain anonymous on this forum.

How much has inflation affected prices in Jakarta over the past year? Prices in the UK are soaring at the moment; it�s noticeable every time you go into a supermarket. How much have you noticed prices changing in restaurants and travel?

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

TEAM_PAPUA · Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 1679 Location: HOLE

sherlock · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 72

Great to know about the salary for these schools, may be an option for the future. I feel that the may have to up the offer even more in the future as it is becoming harder and harder, even for good international schools, to find qualified overseas hire. This is mainly due to the large amount of quasi international schools opening in China offering huge salaries and subsequently diluiting the international teacher pool.

Now is a great time to be teaching internationally. I wouldn�t even look at a school that doesn�t offer flights and accommodation, this isn�t snobbery, it is just the market.

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

Are these top paying schools looking for QTS back home or do you rekon an MA TESOL would get you in?

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

Thanks Rayman. Are the ESL specific jobs at HS+ as lucrative as subject specific contracts and how many of these positions are available compared to the latter?

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

Sorry Nabby, I can't help you on the pay disparity (if any). Someone else here may know the answer.

I'd imagine ESL positions would be in less demand in the secondary than English, Math and Science specialist. But roughly the same as non core subjects e.g. Geogrpahy, History, Social Studies etc. Obviously, it would depend on the % of ESL students at each school, which would vary greatly. So it's hard to say.

Ideally, if you did a PGCE or equivalent to complement your MA TESOL, then you would really be in the box seat on the international school scene. But, as said, with your current quals I'd say the door is certainly open.

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

Just in case anyone is wondering about those 'quasi-international schools in China' that were mentioned earlier, I went to work for one last year and hated it. I was teaching high school science. The only benefit was that I came back to Indo recently with enough Mao money to furnish a large house and set me up for a less lucrative but much more congenial Nat+ job here.

China pays crap for ESL but school subject teachers can make a few shekels if you can put up with the pollution (worse than Indo), general rudeness (very much worse than Indo) and Alice in Wonderland officialdom (yes, even worse than Indo!).

Today I went to the main branch of a bank to do some complex jiggery-pokery including internet banking registration and moving cash around in two currencies and was done in 20 minutes. The same task in China would take at least two visits each of several hours.

sherlock · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 72

Just to back up what Malu said, I have heard very similar stories on Intl school forums. China is best used as a spot to collect some denirio for a year or two. I wouldn�t consider it as there are too many other places in the world I would prefer to live.

There are many articles floating around the net about qualified techer shortages in Intl Schools, as mentioned the main reason is the large amounts of new schools opening, many in China. As a result, many lower to mid level intl schools are finding it hard to recruit. If there was ever a reason to get full teaching quals (recognized teacheing quals from your home country), now is the time - there are plenty of jobs waiting.

Also, if you are looking around for jobs at nat plus schools, try to get into one that uses IB curriculum. Once you are trained in IB you will find many more doors open for you in big international schools across the world.