Job Discussion Forums

[happigur1]

I taught overseas last year at a university and loved my experience tremendously. However, that was more of a �fun� part of my life; I didn�t work that much and I made an okay salary. I am now considering having a career there. I want to work at an international school just because the benefits are better and I will be able to teach my subject (science). I have experience teaching in my home country, in China and have my master�s in education. I am single and have no children. I do have an �Asian� face but it seems like at international schools, this is less of an issue.

There are a few questions I have:

(1) I don�t want to go through Search Associates or another agency due to the fees. I am trying to contact schools directly. Who should I contact (the director/principal/HR)? and when should I contact? Would the best way just to go through an agency?

(2) I think it is too late for the start of this upcoming school year but do schools hire for the second semester or throughout the year? How soon should I contact schools for the next school? I read some posts that schools interviewed people even before job fairs.

(3) I was looking around websites and it seems like the teachers who are there don�t really leave. What are my chances of getting a job at an international school? I also can teach math but do not have a credential in that subject area.

(4) For the esl job postings on this website, how reliable are they?

(5) I am still pretty young� am I way over my head to think that I will be able to start a career over there?

(6) Is there any international schools I should avoid? I have already made a list of probable schools.

(7) How are the Chinese schools (EX: Foreign Language School)? I am looking at international schools because the curriculum is something I am more familiar with.

I know China school pays less than my home school. I just really like the culture and my experience in China and am willing to stay there for a longer period of time to see if it really is something I enjoy.

[dialogger]

You should be in the market right now and even then you may be too late.
There are good sites which only charge the employer.
For my 2009/10 gig I have used a good site having worked direct or by word of mouth previously.
PM me if you need some detail.

[happigur1]

yea, I doubt there is any for 2009-2010. I was looking for 2010-2011. When should I start looking?

Dialogger- can you PM me the site? I can't PM yet because I have not posted the required 5 posts yet...

[Mister Al]

[dialogger]

al is right but I will PM you.
I don't like to PM right off as OPs may have their own reasons for wanting to keep discussion on the thread.