@porter1

To add to Psyguy's response:

I did use many of his option when searching for schools: Tie online, Daves ESl cafe, Teach Away etc. I am also registered on Search Associates but received no interests as I was still completing my BEd.

Other than job boards, I researched cities and areas I was interested in, googled lists of schools in the area, and applied regardless of whether I could find an actual job posting. I ended up being hired for a job that wasn't even advertised yet, or at least not one I came across.

I avoided super touristy areas. As I desired Thailand, I looked into smaller areas outside of Bangkok, Samui and Phuket, where I was less likely to find myself among hoards of backpackers and "tourist teachers".

I looked into the teachers on staff at each school I was interested in. Mainly I was looking for teaching experience and qualifications. If the school and no teachers with a teaching degree I avoided it.

I also contacted teachers who currently work at the school, mostly ones who were also qualified teachers, to get a first hand account of their experiences.

I now also know the difference between and ESL school and and English Programme schools. I'm not sure if the same terms are used around SEA but in Thailand, English programme offers all subjects in English. This means I am actually a homeroom teacher with the same students all day and I teach all subjects in English. This varies greatly from the majority of ESL schools where teachers are responsible for 30 different classes that they see once a week for ESL.

I may have gotten super lucky with where I am, but I don't regret starting in a non-international school or waiting around supply teaching back home. I am not worried about the possibility of moving up to IS and at this point I don't plan on doing it any time soon. I am saving probably more money in my small town than I would at an IS in Bangkok and I've been able to travel and meet great people. And I've gotten to teach wonderful students full time since a week after my BEd so I can't complain about that.

Hi there!

I think I'm in a similar situation: graduated from Ontario in 2015 and told it would be 9 years of supply/LTO work before landing full time. I wanted to start teaching as soon as possible and gaining experience in order to work in an international school but that wasn't going to happen at home. I started looking overseas half way through my BEd and realized that 2 years experience seemed to be the minimum unless I was wiling to go to some very undesirable locations (personally, maybe you would be open to the middle east?). I ended up applying to bilingual schools where having a BEd was basically a guaranteed job. I was hired within a month of looking and I was being picky, I started teaching full time in Thailand less than a week after finishing my last exam.

My school is a privately owned English Programme school with 95% local students, so not considered international, but I get to teach full time and am loving the entire experience (Just signed on for a second year). I see it as a great transition, a chance to gain tons of experience in a less serious and intimidating environment. Although many jobs at ESL schools is Asia hire backpackers with no experience who are expected to follow pre written lessons for a few hours a week, I was very careful about avoiding these. Most of the teachers at my school have teaching degrees but either prefer this environment, teaching esl or are also using it as a stepping stone. Just like back home I write my own lesson plans based off their provided curriculum, I teach math, english (reading, writing, speaking) and science, I write reports, have parent teacher interviews, work collaboratively with staff, coordinate shows and field trips, manage my own classroom, etc.

I have been told by many people that this experience counts for nothing internationally and when I begin to apply to international schools, but past co-workers from the same school have moved onto international schools so never say never. Regardless of the future I don't regret making the decision to move over here, I've been able to travel to over 5 countries already this year, made tons of great friends, feel way more comfortable in the classroom and have a chance to visit other schools in person to plan for the future.

We are going to start applying to international schools in the fall/winter for the 2017/18 school year so we'll see what will happen.. let me know if you have any questions!

> What are your teaching areas? I know of some positions coming vacant at one
> of the above schools (my old school).

I'm a primary teacher, certified K - 10. My partner is upper elementary to high school (4-12), teaching English and Religious studies at the upper levels... not the most in demand areas unfortunately.

We've decided to re-sign at our current school which will bring us to May 2017 (since it follows the thai school year), therefore we aren't looking to start somewhere new this upcoming school year, but thank you!

Also thanks for the vote of confidence in terms of options in Chiang Mai. Lower income isn't an issue, "low" in CM is still double what were making now, and we have a pretty good lifestyle. We're not expecting to be saving tons of money right off the bat, we want a balance of gaining IT experience and continuing to live something this comfortable.

My partner and I moved to Thailand immediately after we got our B.Ed.s and found teaching jobs in a private English school. We plan on staying here another year (2 years total) and then hope to move up to International schools.

Question 1:Is this completely unrealistic with only 2 years of experience? We are obviously not aiming at top tier schools but do we have a chance to break into the international school scene at a low tier school in order to gain IT experience? To make it harder we really don't want to leave SEA and have no interest in the middle east or China where it seems like we would have the most luck. Were both certified in elementary and my partner is also certified in high school English and Relious Studies. Thoughts on our chances? Suggestions where we should look?

Question 2: Are there any additional qualifications or courses we can complete online in the next year or 2 to help our marketability? We both want to bulk up our resumes but have no idea what to start with.

Question 3: Will our age hinder our search? We will both be 24 during the hiring season next year and turn 25 before the school year actually begins. I've heard some countries impose minimum ages for IT as well as schools.

Question 4: Staying in Thailand would be a dream come true and we are very interested in relocating to Chiang Mai which has multiple international schools. We just have no idea where any of them stand in terms of "tiers", can anyone shed any light? (Prem Tinsulanonda and American Pacific, Lanna International, CMIS, Nakornpayap, Varee International and Panyadan)

Thank you for reading all this and for sharing your thoughts!!