I copied this from the Search Database.
"SCIS is a tier-one international school in Shanghai, with a highly competitive salary and benefits package, along with a robust professional development program."
This is the first time I've seen a school calling themselves "Tier 1".

By the way, I am familiar with this school and I don't agree.

What do you think about schools calling out their "Tier"?

My son had exzema on his wrists, backs of knees and a few other small areas. It's very common among children from 3 to 10 years old. One thing I read about and practiced was putting a cup of bleach in a full bath for my sons bathing time. I think it helped a lot. Another thing that helped a lot was moving. In another city, it disappeared. 4 years later, in yet another location, it hasn't returned. Maybe moving will do the trick. We've been living in Asia for the past 15 yrs.

Thank you Psyguy. I and most of my classmates from last years BKK cohort of the University of Nottingham PGCEi course were and are teaching in international schools all over Asia. For some schools they require a PGCE in addition to a (UK) B of Ed. I had many on my course that were veteran teachers from the UK with a B Ed but they needed a PGCE and arrived in BKK for the U of N program. Plus it's 60 credits toward a masters.

Very good pay and package. They pay housing, worldwide insurance (ex US) and annual flights, plus shipping in and out. They used to post the salary and bennies on the Shanghai website don't know if they still do. My info is from Search. It's a bit lower for Suzhou.

Make an effort, learn as much as you can. Getting by is not good enough. You miss out on so much if all you can do is count and do greetings. I agree about learning to recognize characters, it helps a lot. Also, I would learn to count and understand numbers in Shanghai dialect. At least learn to count with finger signals.
Anyhow, I think it enriches your life not to just be a bystander but to participate. Of course you will never integrate, be accepted as Chinese. You will always always be a foreigner, always. However, it promotes good will to at least try your best. And, as I said, it will enrich your life, make daily tasks easier and ingratiate yourself on the locals.

My two cents, from my experience and what I've seen with many of my friends and acquaintances.

Happy trails.

Wow! Very good. It's like you've live here for years except........remember wattage differences in electrics. So, buy your hair dryer in Shanghai. Also, if you buy a very basic DVD player, it'll play anything from anywhere: the cheaper the better. I prefer Carrefour for most appliances but there are lots of options. You probably won't have an oven in your flat, if you do then that's great if not, get a good sized and decently powered counter top one. People don't wear shoes inside their home, so bring the size of slippers you need (summer and winter types) because, as stated, shoe sizes are a challenge. However, there are places in the center that have stuff made here for the export market but didn't make it out of the country ;) Take a walk on Fuxing Lu near Xiang Yang Lu. The best things I like in Shanghai are street food, a repair man on every corner to fix your shoes, umbrella, bike, pram, etc., and wet markets. Also, dive in and check out every supermarket you see because all the chains have their specialties. I'm so excited for you. welcome!

Ok. This is very, very dated info. I lived in Kunming for over a year about 10 years ago. Back then there was a small expat community: mainly working in the tobacco industry (big money), or teaching (university ESL), and many many foreign students. I was teaching and studying. The big challenge was getting from Kunming to home: like America. I flew to HK a lot to get out. Otherwise, it was cheap to live, much much cheaper than Shanghai. For example, I paid 600 USD/ mo in Shanghai for an apt and 125USD/mo in Kunming: same size and similarly central location.

There are a lot of tourists, increasingly less backpackers and more local tourists. By the time I left, Dali was already turned into a fake Dali for the local (Chinese) tourists.

However, the local (Kunming) people were great: they didn't stare, they were friendly and helpful. It was easy to live there. I really loved the food. There are many many minorities represented in the city and contribute to a more colorful population. unfortunately, the city was already looking homogenized, like a mini Shanghai. Many wonderful, traditional houses were being bulldozed.

I know from a local friend who's still there that they are opening more and more international programs in local Kunming high schools.

Also look into Guiyang in Guizhou province, even more beautiful surrounding countryside.

Take care and I hope you take the leap.

They can't do nothing to you!!! I've done this before. I continued to live And work in China for many years after. Go! Go! Go!

You will need to learn some Chinese. You will get stared at. I know it's only a couple hours from Shanghai but it's far enough that you will feel a big difference in the sophistication and worldliness of the local people. Rents are less than Shanghai. If you want to save money live like a local. Go to local markets not City Shop. If you are concerned about food safety then go to City shop, and pay extra for it. The more Chinese you know the better your experience will be.

Actually, I didn't read your question clearly. FoR U of Nottingham you can apply some of your Masters level credits toward the PGCEi.

University of Nottingham offrs a PGCEi which can be used toward a masters. I think that would work perfectly in your situation. I've completed the PGCEi and am now pursuing the Masters.

Wow, that is surprising. I'd heard Uplands was a good school. Don't the DP students score well? Anyhow, looks like KL is better for pay, benefits and maybe even for my career.

How about the schools in Penang? Why are those salaries so low? Are the benefits extra great? What would be the schools to avoid?