for those of you who have attended job fairs, can you attend without being affiliated with an agency such as ISS or SA? Can you just show up?

Hi everyone, SO i was hoping someone one could help me out! I graduated with certification for English K-12 in May of 2010. I tried looking for an international school position (but around June all positions seemed to be filled already) not through an agency like SA or ISS, which i have long been reading about but instead by simply looking at websites that posted international jobs. I got lucky, and landed a last minute Job at an international preparatory academy in South Korea. It is not a legitimate International school..it simply attempts to function like one. There are many of these types of private International curriculum immersion schools in Korea. In any case this will qualify I hope as one year of teaching experience but i notice most international schools (from looking at some websites) require two years minimum experience. My question is what are my chances of landing a position at an International school for the 2011-2012 school year and should i continue to use the online job sites and direct contact of school heads as a way to get these jobs or should i register with one of the big guys (ISS and SA) and attend a International Job fair? My contract in South Korea is up in the summer. Please any advice!!!

Hi, so i was wondering if anyone knows or has heard about this international school in Korea? I just sent them my resume ( it is late in the year to be getting an international school position) but surprisingly they responded and would like to conduct a phone interview. I did not think an international school was even an option this late in the game. I had been contacted by several recruiters and was looking into teaching at a public school there. However this school is offering a one year contract and some of the other basic package elements. I was hopping someone could vouch for this place or at least tell me what they know????? help! This would be my first position abroad so i am nervous!

Hi i am new to this and was wondering if anyone could recommend some sites where i could see job listings from international schools? I seem to only find sights that are posting esl jobs for language or public schools but where/ what sites post jobs from international schools? - thanks

So i took your advice and looked up the programs for teaching in Korea sponsored by the state etc...like the two you mentioned earlier..i looked at their pay ladder... i would be eligible to start at 2.2 mill won. I am getting calls from recruiters now all wanting to speak and start the process but i am now worried as to which one is reputable as opposed to another. They all seem to be pretty much offering and guaranteeing the same thing. What kind of questions should i be asking THEM once i start returning their calls? I believe that if i choose Korea i should focus on Seoul just because it may be easier to adjust with a city that offers so much. However, i am also now getting recruiters from China... one even from a university...i am finding it hard to decide now.. what would be a fair salary if i where to seek employment in China? I also want to thank the second poster on this thread in reference to making sure the schools and the environment and staff are top notch... i take pride in my work so i have the same concerns... if you have any other suggestions as to how to investigate a school's faculty or environment please let me know. At this point, with all these recruiters calling... should i simply respond to all of them, hear them out and see which one sounds better? As for teaching at an international school, i definitely am not averse to the idea.. however it is my understanding international schools usually ask for a 2 year contract. Seeing as this would be my first move so far away from my home and family i am looking for something that would be only a year long contract to ease me into the international teaching world. - thank you once again for all your help and if you can answer any of the above i would appreciate it. - Faina

Hi goinggoinggone i tried to pm you but it said that option was disabled on this board. I wanted to thank you for the information it was very helpful. I have never taught abroad before so i am not sure where to start. I have been getting a lot of e-mails from agencies and recruiters. I rather not work for a private school. i rather work in a public school or an international school. You mentioned i should not go through an agency but where then do i see the direct posts from schools looking for teachers? If you happen to know of any specific schools that are good and are still looking i would appreciate it. The recruiters who responded to my resume all offered a furnished apartment and 2,ooo,ooo won and up. Any information at all you may have to help me get started, where to look, who to contact would be great. - Thanks

Hi, i am a recent graduate, certified teacher of English High School from the state of New Jersey. I also have TESL/TESOL certification and have taught ESL to adult learners for a semester. I think i am too late to get a position at an International school in Asia, but i have gotten many offers from public and private schools in Korea and China through agencies. They all offer apartment/airfare/etc. But what salary is acceptable? What numbers or range should i be looking for? - Thank you

I just graduated and am a certified English teacher for middle/high school. I also have Tesl/Tesol certification and taught ESl adult students for half a year in Harlem, NY. I want to find my first job overseas but i am doing this alone, no fairs, no recruiting agency for me. I have been reading these forums, reading the classifieds for jobs abroad.. My questions now are these and i hope someone can help me with them:
1. I want to find a place where i will SAVE money, have free accommodations, and hopefully flight paid. What places/schools in Asia are more likely to offer this?
2. Am i likely to find a decent job with the certifications that i have?
3. Which schools should i be looking at right now and contacting?
4. What kind of salary is considered good and what should i look for?
5. What are the top ten/fifteen schools in Asia (package/living/etc)?
6. What steps should i take now to get hired?
If anyone can help me with these questions i would greatly appreciate it!