Very very scary stuff. Even the hint of an accusation can ruin someone's career. Just awful all around.

Another idea (that won't punish students) is to go to the Chinese Consulate/embassy in the States where you processed your visa. I know someone who worked for a dodgy school that never paid on time, mistreated teachers and was negligent with paying taxes for employees. She complained to the consulate where she got her visa (after she left the school) and someone else complained a year later. With this pattern, the school was denied work visas since the worry was they couldn't pay on time (a work visa is essentially the employer's promise that they will financially take after you so you won't be a burden on the state). And they couldn't hire from that consulate anymore/region.

On a simpler note, a friend in Germany left a school at the end of a one year contract (didn't quit, not fired) but the school refused her summer pay which was promised. She just told them she would contact a German lawyer, and just like that she got her pay. Good luck.

Hello all! So, I am wondering what my options are. I am working at a small international school in Europe. I have been paid late continually (4-5 weeks late). Now, they are withholding part of my pay since I didn't complete an administrative duty (not grades) on time in their opinion. I am amazed they can do this. I know I probably need a lawyer just to learn my rights as a foreigner. But, it is the EU...so I feel like I must have some rights here. Does anyone have any advice. And yes, in general, this is a school that doesn't seem to care about their reputation--at least with international teachers.

Don't know if this will help...but:

International School of Panama had a (and now 2) high school counselors. When it was one, the counselor did it all: college counseling, counseling, the semester schedule/registration and PSAT stuff. The job was also a de facto vice principal. But now they have a separate job for that. Foreign hires.

The elementary counselor was also a foreign hire. American. The middle school counselor was local.

At the other Latin American school I was at the counselors were all local (bilingual school not international).

My point is: some schools DO hire just counselors (not college counseling)...especially if it is big enough to divide those jobs. And that international schools hire foreign hires for this.

None of the foreign hire counselors--high school or elementary--had more than basic Spanish at the time. They brought in translators (other teachers at the school) to sit in if the parents didn't understand.

Please. Anything. What is it like there now? New director from the one on the reviews. Package? Working environment?

Work environment? Kids? Package? It would be very helpful if anyone could tell me about this school.

Thanks everyone. I will let you know how it goes.

Hey! I have taught at two international schools with good housing (one it was small but new...and my second year I took the housing allowance). I am now at a new school with horrendous housing--run down, holes in the walls, dilapidated building, a permanently open downstairs door, and a bathroom that must be seen to be believed. It is so bad that I don't know if I can adjust. I am going to wait a week or so before speaking to the school, but I doubt they will move me. Has anyone had an otherwise decent school (salary, curriculum) pull this on them? What did you do if you couldn't move? Thanks in advance for any reply.

Can we please end these threads...en serio!

Um. Yes, and open forum means you can write what you want against psyguy. But. starting and restarting and (when it dies down) reposting on a thread AGAINST a poster seems like a pretty aggressive thing to do. Wish people would just chill.

I agree. If you don´t like his opinions, then....DON´T HEED them. Don´t take his advice. But the point of an open forum is it is OPEN to everyone.

Of course every situation is different (and every relationship)...but once you teach abroad you do see that marriages DO seem to have more issues than at home. I am talking about marriages with trailing spouses. In my last posting (and current one) there were wives (and husbands) who were bored. But, in that case, some of them had babies...something I think they would have done anyway, just maybe not as early. And sadly, some divorced. However, these were obviously relationships that had problems to begin with, just no one knew it. You never know, as an outsider, the state of a marriage. Never. On a more positive note, there is a couple here where the wife doesn´t work and she is very busy and content. But I am currently in a big city which makes a difference.

Two things...

Best schools/best in terms of salary (bit subjective): Nido in Chile, Campo in Venezuela, Graded in Brazil and (decent salary) Lincoln in Argentina...and CNG in Colombia

Also consider International School of Panama since the salary is decent (40s) and Panama has a TON of foreign retirees there because of tax benefits, etc. and good healthcare

Caveat..

Some countries have visa rules where the candidate HAS to have certification.

I have now worked at two schools, good international schools, that say you need certification...but if you are outstanding in other ways (familiarity with the culture, experience teaching an elite boarding school in the states, masters or phd in your subject) they will hire you. Again, like in the states, elementary is completetly different. You need certification since your certification includes classes in childhood development, piaget etc.