Agree with a lot of what Psy is saying. Tons of international schools here, only a handful are top tier and worth staying at long term, but yeah, some people grow to like it or have other reasons for staying. Compared to other places where people get their feet wet, its one of the better places.
Stick to the cities. Yes, the big three of Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are definitely good. I think you could probably extend that a bit now. Cities close to Shanghai like Suzhou or near Beijing like Tianjin may also be good options as they are getting bigger and more international, plus more connected. In both of those places you can take a train and be in the bigger cities in 30 minute. Not bad.
Pollution, traffic, chinese language are probably the biggest concerns for people coming in, in that order. Pollution can be bad by any standard, even in the cleaner places. Be ready to shell out for air filters, masks, water filters, and maybe a few other things to make life more bearable and cozy. There are plenty of ways to do this on the cheap though, but it requires a bit of research. This might be a good place to look for info on the air. http://www.myhealthbeijing.com/

Traffic is bad, make it up as you go. You aren't going to be driving though, maybe getting a scooter or riding a bike, so it won't be as bad, but still. You will be cursing unless you are the chillest person on earth. Learn to laugh and live with it or you will go insane. On the plus side, taxis are dirt cheap so if you do need to drive somewhere its pretty easy and again, bigger cities have very comprehensive transport networks with trains and busses.

Chinese is hard to learn if you have never had any exposure, but seriously, 100 words will cover most of daily life and from there you do as you wish. I know many people who have been here for years with only, "nihao" "xiexie" and "wo yao" and somehow they seem to get by. In bigger cities, but in most places, there are people who speak minimal english especially among people under 35.

If I had specific advice; buy shoes and meds before you come. You can find them, but maybe not what you want, the right size, or its way more expensive. I find shoes and medicine to be pretty important things, so I buy in the US whenever I am home. I would also tell myself to enjoy it and to try to remember that a lot of people in China, even educated people, don't know anything outside of China. Be patient, listen to people and try to understand them, don't judge them in an instant. A lot of Chinese people can be very kind, once you know them. Also, eat! There is so much good food in China. Yeah, its oily, spicy, etc. but my experience led me to love it and if you eat local its also much cheaper. Just don't eat so local you get sick, be careful with the places you pick. Is it empty? Does it look unkept? Find a nice, busy place, then you know your going to get something good.
Besides that, just keep in mind that contracts are only 2 (or 1) years long. Its not the end of the world if you don't like it and leave. Its just good experience to put under your belt. Good luck.

If you mean, how much are you expected to spend on each paper, given the amount you are being paid per, that is up to you. The faster you can mark (correctly), the better for you. As for the actual time you are given in terms of days to finish the allotment, that is up to the IB. You should have received emails from your senior examiner detailing those dates. If you haven't you need to contact them asap.

Many people like it and many don't. I can see the reasons on both sides and they are both reasonable When its a 500 pm 2.5 day and you get elbowed by some old lady getting on the subway (and about 10 other people) and the whole car is full of noisy people, then you get out and see some kid being held over a garbage can taking a poop while the guy next to you is snacking with his mouth open you start to wonder what the hell is going on. So you have a 50 cent beer, and a 5 dollar meal, shuck it off and hit the hay. You wake up the next day and the pm 2.5 is 30. The sky is clear and the world is a better place. You grab a youtiao for 40 cents, wonder why there is a gynecology advert at the bus stop, or why that guy just picked his nose and looked at it, or why, well, a lot of things.
I think most people come to China because its talked up so much as the next big thing and it is a mystery to them why that is. Some people conclude that its not the next big thing, but a "pit stain" and other people conclude that there is just so much oddity to smirk at they don't leave (honestly, does anyone believe its the next big thing?).

Yeah, pollution is a concern, but really its not. Most expats aren't in China for too long, just like anywhere else. Those that are can easily take precautions, its not as big a concern as most people make it out to be on these forums. Of course, if I had young kids I would not bring them to China, but I would also not likely bring them to India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Botswana, etc. On the average, the air pollutions levels are going DOWN in China and while most might say that they won't be in China in 10 years, those living in China in 10 years will likely enjoy a much higher standard of living and much lower pollution levels.

Yes, it is competitive. Japan has relatively few international schools and people tend to stay at the good ones for a long time. They are not really places people just happen upon, but plan years for. ASIJ, Yokohama, perhaps St. Maur for top schools. About a dozen others between Tokyo and other cities at not as high a level. Japan can be expensive, but no more than any other developed country. The days of the bubble are long gone.

Remember that if you move to Singapore, Malaysia, etc. in SE Asia its hot and humid. It seem pretty obvious that heat and humidity can slow you down, but I didn't really think about it before I moved to SEA, ran half as much, and gained 5kg. You may also want to consider how developed a place is for infrastructure. Running in crowded and chaotic places like say, Ho Chi Minh vs. places like Tokyo is a big difference.

Hey Senator,
I just realized that you have more than a few posts railing against international teaching, despite being one yourself for 17 years. I'm wondering what changed your mind, why did you leave after 17 years?

Not to downplay this because, it is is terrible, but remember that the average Chinese person has little availability to and takes almost no precaution in protecting themselves from the air and other pollutants whereas expatriates would be fools not to shell out for various filters and other measures that drastically reduce exposure.

"no hardship was involved." Right, because China in the 90's was at the top of everyone's list of places to go.

Yeah, the job market has changed since the 90s. Its a lot more competitive and if you want the best jobs you may have to put up with some hardships along the way.

I loved watching this video, but most of these posts are likely correct. This will do nothing in the short term for China's pollution. Its an interesting documentary, but if you want clean air tomorrow that will take a revolution, not a video on Youtube (or Youku). Chinese people aren't bling, more or less they know the score.

@Senator Hey man, I'm sorry you didn't use a filter on your tap, put an air filter in your home, buy imported food, or drink water from a cooler (most abroad positions now days in Asia), but that was up to you. Chinese schools will throw buckets of money at you for positions just like elsewhere in Asia as professionalism is concerned. Its not because you are special. Its a "hardship" position. The money is meant to accommodate the hardship.

The JET program is 28 years old, so max that is when you went overseas. You must have spent at least a year there. You then list 11 (or 12 if you count, “The Kingdom”) countries that have taught in. I would think that Snowbeaver’s calculations aren’t that far off, 2-3 years each place on average. Though I won't hazard a guess as to why like Snowbeaver did.
Plus, dang, 32 certificates? 3 masters and a doctorate? Plus certification in 5 states? Plus Canada, Japan, PGCE, IBO? I have to ask, what do you need all those certs/education for?

The schools salaries in Penang are low because the schools aren't top tier plus the "benefits" are living on a tropical island. No, the actual benefits are not great. The main schools there, Prince of Wales, Dalat, and Uplands are roughly on par but its mostly of a choice of new school, american/religious school, british school.

Most contracts have you working 7-8 hours a day and require after school commitments. Usually these commitments amount to an hour or two a week, but can be more if you are interested. I have up and down the tiers and it is basically the same story with one exception. The further you go up the tiers the less long term acceptance of BS there is. Teachers who cut out early and avoid commitments don't last long, but if you end up at a 2nd or 3rd tier school you can likely get along with doing as you like or move on to another similar situation. First year teachers do more, whether its first year teaching or first year at a school, but once you get the rhythm it gets less. I would expect experienced teachers would spend 50 hours a week, less if you don't care and more if its your first year.

Its good to have econ or business as part of an initial degree, but not 100% necessary even in the best schools. I would say don't bother going to seek a degree, but maybe look at IB or Triple A classes as a way to beef up your knowledge of IB Econ, put some more education on your resume, and to make connections with other IBDP teachers.
Yes, you are probably right to continue focusing on econ. In my experience it gives you a leg up in landing a job. No, going to a school in China that is not well known will not mean that good schools won't look at you.
Yes, I highly recommend the first BKK fair. Just this past year I went to the fair and had lots of interviews and landed a job teaching at a very good school. I know for certain much of that had to do with having experience in IB econ.

Your situation sounds similar to where I was not too long ago.

Yes, there is demand for econ teachers and its far less grim than for general social sciences. However, if you want to teach exclusively IB econ that is not too realistic. You may find a job at a large school in which its all IB econ, but those large schools are also usually demanding more from their teachers and if you, "don't coach... bring anything exceptional" then those schools won't be interested.
I would suggest you find some things that you enjoy to do AND would look good on your resume. Find a position at a school you would enjoy and spend a couple years beefing up your resume. I would suggest that next hiring season you look at China or the ME for such positions. Then in a few years you might have a chance at finding an all IB econ teaching position.

I am CURRENTLY getting over 8% on my vanguard account. Also, I am not an admin or at an elite school and yes, I can put away about 20k a year. Both are possible. Maybe you guys should be reading and researching more about your options. Here is a good start.
http://andrewhallam.com/2012/10/singapo ... -it-looks/