Last year Cairo American College had 6 sections of both years one and two. We combine SL and HL so we would have two more if the sections were organized in that manner. Next year our year ones will be four sections. We would offer 5 or more if our students body was bigger.

Jeff

I was a JET from 1993-1996 and that experience really didn't do much for me when looking for jobs in international schools. No recruiters ever looked at it as real teaching, and in retrospective, I can see that they were right. However, that doesn't mean you can't do anything with it. If you really like teaching ESL to school age children, then I would recommend you get a MA in ESL or English Education. Then do a bit of teaching in your home country and then try to get a job at an international school. International Schools have a real need for ESL but almost always expect teachers to have real credentials, not the six week ESL course that many teachers have.

Good luck in your transition. Leaving Japan was tough, but I can't believe you are still making what I made in Japan 25 years ago.

I have been looking at a few schools in South America, and no that many schools have a lower pay scale than in the rest of the world. However, how does this lower pay impact quality of life? Can you still get out and explore the continent with a lower pay scale, or should I just stay at my high paying job and explore South America on my summer holidays?

I have heard that some schools do pay a bit more. Any info on pay scales in Peru, Chile, Brazil and Argentina at some of the Tier 1 schools there?

Thanks.

Tier 1 can change so quickly if a bad administrator arrives. I currently teach at one of these Tier 1 schools and feel that there are many good features, but some that also bring it down a peg or two. So Tier 1 is a completely malleable concept.

I used to say that MYP stands for "Make your poster."

I would recommend tieonline.com if you are looking for last minute jobs. I am always amazed at how many great jobs at wonderful schools pop up in July and August.
I think one of the big keys to international school success is getting your foot in the door. You will be able to network and in a few years you won't worry so much about fairs, particularly if your friends have some pull with the people doing the hiring.
I understand your concerns with Peace Corps. I am sure it prepared you for a lot but a lot of schools ask for two years of "real" teaching before looking at your cv. I had five years of ESL that took me nowhere. But remember schools start making exceptions as summer gets warmer.
One good place for last minute jobs in the Persian Gulf. Some of the schools there have some real issues, but I loved my time in Kuwait with the American International School. Ended up staying much longer than I anticipated and would seriously consider returning. One of the joys of teaching is you never know where you will end up and how much you will really like it there.
Good luck in your search.

If you have a subscription to The International Education (tieonline.com) then you can see jobs that are currently being listed and still need to be filled.

I am a Social Studies teacher overseas and I think there are definitely fewer openings, particularly when compared to Math and Science, but if you have good experience then you should be okay. One thing I have noticed is that schools like Social Studies teachers who are willing to teach all subjects in that discipline. My current school asked me if I would be willing to teach Economics, and I, of course, said yes. It has been difficult to learn it but it has also been a lot of fun. I love teaching internationally because learning is valued and I have been given the opportunity to teach subjects that I would never have been allowed to in the states.

If you are serious about moving overseas then you should start registering with one of the agencies like Search Associates or ISS, or get a subscription to TIEonline. Many schools will start hiring for the 2011-2012 school year by December of 2010.

Good luck.

Clearing over 40,000 US after taxes, housing and utilities isn't something I can do at home. Plus the experiences you get overseas last a lifetime. I don't think I will ever go back to the crappy conditions in America. Why would I want 34 kids in a classroom, administrators who have no idea what they are doing, government regulations up to my ears, when I can have a class of 15 kids who are in a college prep program. I save more, stress out less, travel anytime I want, and really enjoy my life.

I have a couple of friends who teach in Hanzhou and some more who teach in Shanghai with SCIS. They all seem to love it. I trusted them and will be joining those in Shanghai next year (I will have to get a new log-in name).
Hanzhou is actually a really nice city. It has a lovely lake and lots of traditional tea houses. I taught in Beijing for two years and we took a school trip to the Hanzhou region to study tea culture. I thought it was a delightful city.
Actually China is quite wonderful, asides from the pollution. The people are really curious about you and really down to earth. I am excited to return next year.
Good luck on your search.
Jeff

I took a job with my current school, the American International School Kuwait, to get IB training. They are willing to hire people who are inexperienced in the IB system. Look for them at the job fair.

Long distance relationships can work but from my experience they have always ended because of distance. Maybe your partner can come out and try to get work in India. I think that would be the best way to make things work if that is what you want.

tieonline.com always has a ton of jobs listed in July and August. So I wouldn't worry too much.

Haven't seen their new housing, but I know it is quite a commute to the school. The housing is supposedly quite nice though.

I was interviewing for a job in the Philippines. The interviewer came late smelling of cigerettes. We sit down for a talk. He asked a question and then leans in real dramatically for the answer. He did this over and over. Freaked me out.

I also was grabbed by some men from Saudi Arabia at a job fair. They told me they had the perfect job for me: 5th grade Math and Science.
"But I teach History and English" I said. You will be perfect.
"Will I like the job?" No no, you will hate it the kids are horrible.
"Will I be able to meet many Saudis and have a social life?" No no, the Saudis hate foreigners. But there are many nurse in Riyadh. They are from the Philippines. We can hook you up. Strangely enough, I didn't take the job.

No, I mean the American International School.