Thanks for the reply. So much great information!

I admire your detective skills. You were on the money! I wanted to keep the school names out of it just so not to jinx it haha.

To be honest, I need to do a lot more research on Taiwan. I really know very little about it. The school does sound good and the package sounds great too. I'll take your advice on the International program. I'll do more research on it and remember to specifically ask about that.

You mentioned some downsides to Japan. Could you elaborate on them? I've spoken to a number of people about Japan and everyone seems to think it is the country to go for. Most of these people have just been as tourists though so there may be drawbacks be they social/economic etc. that they are completely unaware of.

In regards to start up costs. According to the school's information booklet the apartments are furnished and I believe they cover things like bond and those sort of expenses. The school recommended about $1200-$1500 USD to get set up before being paid. Fortunately, I have some savings so should be able to cover that. In regards to the tax system. Does that mean that I will not be taxed at all on my income for the first year or is this just a less significant tax I don't have to pay for the first year?

In regards to the school in Bangkok. No they won't be at the SA fair. My connections helped landing that one. If 80,000 bht is average for Bangkok then that is fine for me. I live a pretty humble existence here and don't really plan on changing how live too much overseas.

Thanks so much for the words of encouragement. It does make me feel confident about landing something. I think I also need to buy my confidential referees a nice bottle of wine each.

Hi all,

I have been contacted by a few schools prior to the Melbourne SA fair.

One recruiter has scheduled an interview shortly after their presentation. This is a day prior to the general requesting of interviews and interviews been conducted. Another has requested an interview during the fair but I am not yet sure if this will happen during the time others have their interviews or the day prior. I'm still waiting to hear back from them.

I was wondering if this could be considered quite a good sign to have these interviews/informal talks with the recruiters prior to when everyone else gets their opportunity? In these circumstances, are jobs often offered to teachers during this time or soon after?

I also have a few questions about the SA fair:
1. Is it a good idea to send emails to all schools I have some interest in working at? That strategy seems to have worked so far but it would also be quite time consuming. Or is it best just to contact the ones I am really interested in (done that already) and then go through the letter box process.
2. What happens with the whole letter box situation? Do you just fill in a note requesting an interview, or do you fill in a note requesting a chance to meet with the recruiter and then they offer you an interview?
3. Are job offers normally made during the interview in the hotel rooms or do you usually have to wait to be called or be given a note in your letter box/folder.
4. The portfolios: I have printed out my CV with a picture, a letter of recommendation and a copy of my academic transcript. Do you leave these sort of things in the school's folder during the fair or do you only hand it to the school if you are given an interview.

Anyway, Merry Christmas to you all and best of luck during the recruiting season.

The Melbourne Search Associates fair is coming up soon and I have received invitations for interviews/an informal talk from a number of different schools. One school wants to meet me prior to the interview sessions officially beginning (is this a good sign)?

This will be my first foray into International Teaching. I have three years full time experience teaching in Australian schools. I also have a Masters Degree. Whilst I still see myself as lacking in experience, I believe that I am a good teacher. I think I am ready to take the plunge into International Teaching. I'm a 30 year old man who is single.

So now comes an exciting dilemma - which school/country to choose. Obviously this will be determined by who offers me a job but given that you often don't have much time to make a decision, I'd like to go into the interviews with a good idea about these countries.

You guys can read the following if you want or more in-depth explanation of the schools/areas I am in. Otherwise, for those who have lived in one or more of these countries, which would you choose? What were the positives and negatives of these countries. Did you find it difficult to become friends with the locals and/or expats. What is the cost of living like and did you manage to save money?

Bangkok: I have been to Bangkok several times and have some friends there. I can speak enough Thai to get around (I did some volunteer work teaching English to orphans for a month). I did my interview a month or so ago and they were very impressed and said they wanted me to work for them but will be making the final decision and sending out contracts at the end of Jan. The classes I will be teaching include AP Psychology, which is by far my favourite subject. The downsides of the school are it is located quite a bit outside of Bangkok;'s city center so public transport may be quite poor. The salary is 80,000baht a month ($2,230 USD) with no benefits (no housing, moving costs, plane tickets or moving costs). The school follows the US curriculum and there are no IB classes. The reviews on ISR for the school are poor but there has not been a review submitted for 8 years and they had a new director since then.

Japan: I have never been to Japan before but studying Japanese for a few years in school (I hardly remember any of it). The school is located in Numazu, a coastal town of 200,000 people on the beach and close to Mt Fuji. I would be teaching MYP English. The school is a bi-lingual Japanese school. The salary seems decent, around $45,000USD. A furnished apartment is provided with $500 rental allowance. Other benefits include medical insurance, moving in allowance and a good raise each year and a contract renewal bonus. The downsides: I know no one in Japan and the pool of foreign staff is small. The city is a bit smaller than what I would prefer. The workload is supposed to be quite high and the holidays are short. The ISR reviews for the school were pretty positive.

Taiwan: I just got offered an interview today. I know nothing about Taiwan and know no one there. I cannot speak any of the local language I would be teaching IB Humanities. It is a Taiwanese school with an immersion program. The salary is $40,000+ USD, with housing allowance, airfare, moving allowance and health insurance. The downsides seem to be the city the school is in suffers from heavy pollution and the school has a high workload and long hours. Further, Humanities is my least favourite subject. The school got very good reviews on ISR.

So I have been offered my first international teaching job. The contract is still yet to be negotiated and won't be finalised until Jan-Feb but at this stage they have said either 70,000 baht or 80,000 baht. Sadly, there is no housing allowance or really any other benefits. It's a bit of a weird situation. I got the job through a friend put me on to an admin who works there who was very keen on the recommendation my friend gave me. This admin says that I should be able to get 80,000baht. Being Australian, all teachers wages are government/union mandated so I have never had to negotiate a contract before.

Does anyone have any tips for negotiating pay? I have a masters degree from one of the better universities in Australia and three years teaching experience. No international teaching experience.

I was thinking of trying for 90,000 baht a month plus a yearly plane ticket home/them covering my ticket there (happy to fly a cheap airline). It seems likes I'm pretty sure housing allowance is out of the question. How do you go about negotiating a salary? Any tips? They did seem very keen to have me and pretty much offered me the job during the skype interview.

LIVING IN BANGKOK.

Some more general questions.

I was thinking of moving to Bangkok a month before starting, just so I can get settled in and enjoy myself. I have been to Bangkok a few times before so I am reasonably familiar with the city.

1. How does one go about finding an apartment? The websites for apartments in Bangkok seem to be pretty useless. I'd be wanting a one bedroom fully furnished apartment. Doesn't need a pool or anything like that. Just decent internet and to be secure. I was thinking of paying around 15,000-20,000baht a month. The school isn't in the city center and is near Bang Khen (sort of near Chutachuk market and Don Muang airport). Would it be difficult to find an apartment for that price around there? Are there any good websites for finding apartments.

2. I'd try my best to be within walking distance to the school. However, how do people cope with Bangkok traffic on a day to day basis? The school isn't near the sky train or BTS. Should I just go with a motorcycle taxi each day?

3. Is 70,000-80,000 baht a decent wage to live off? I'm happy to eat thai food most days, street food included. I wouldn't mind going out for some drinks over the weekend. I'd also like to join a gym/ do muay thai also. Maybe travel to nearby countries during the holidays/ do some weekend trips around Thailand.

4. What are the holiday periods for international schools? Is there a website that lists all the Thai national holidays in English?

5. I know one family in Bangkok (expats) but I want to make more friends when I am there. How do you go about making friends in a foreign country as an expat? I'm 30 and male if that helps.

I have different experience than everyone else here. A few years ago friend of mine taught in an international school and I added an admin on linkedin that worked at their school.

I taught in my home country for a few years and when I was ready to make the switch to international teaching I sent a message to the admin (who now worked at a different school). They contacted my friend to ask about me. The admin offered me a skype interview and now I have a job offer.

It can't hurt to add some admins, particularly those whom are friendly with people who can vouch for you.

I've applied for a position at the same school.

I also haven't received a reply, not even an automated message.

They probably haven't began looking at applications yet.

Sciteach:

Thanks for the advice. I am happy to go to most parts of the world and put in the hard yards in a less than ideal school. I'm expecting that this will happen anyway. Ideally SE Asia, specifically Thailand, would be my first choice. Latin America would be second (although the low pay is a bit of a disincentive). But I am happy to look at India, Eastern Europe, other parts of Asia and parts of the middle East, except the overly restrictive countries like Saudi or ones with civil unrest/war.

Speaking of references. I'm still waiting for two of my referees to do my confidential referee forms. One is the Vice Principal of my current school, the other is a Learning and Teaching leader (pretty high up leadership position at my school). is it worth getting the Principal to also write a reference? The other two referees know me better, so that is why I have gone with them. Also, how important are the parent references? I'm a little worried about word getting around the student body that I am planning on leaving if I ask a parent from my current school. Also, a bit worried that asking a parent to do this will be frowned upon by the school admin. I could always try and get in contact with a parent from my previous school.

Psyguy:

In terms of a night out drinking, yeah it could range significantly in expense but the most expensive would probably be having a night out at a decent night club or bar.

I have done Muay Thai for a few years so I know the basics - I'm nothing special though.

In terms of curriculum, I'm just happy to get a job and I would be happy teaching either UK, US or IB. IB would be best for the experience. The only issue that might come up is if I taught History and would have to teach a time in History I know nothing about, but that happens in Australia as well and it is interesting to be learning something new. I think Psychology and English content knowledge and skills should transfer over without too many difficulties.

But to answer your question, the only subject that I have taught to year 12 (school leavers) is Psychology - that is the subject I have the most knowledge on (and sadly the one with the least job openings).

Thanks to both of you for your response.

I do acknowledge that these type of questions get asked all the time and nor were my questions particularly 'unique'.

Psyguy:

No I haven't taught all three subjects at every level. I have taught Psychology at Year 10-12, plus working for The University of Melbourne tutoring undergraduates (not as a private tutor, as in taking classes). I have taught English at Years 7-11, Humanities at 7-9. So I do have experience teaching all year levels of secondary school, just not for every subject.

I did both my undergradute and masters at The University of Melbourne. Not 'Ivy League' but it is generally considered to be a good university internationally.

I would be happy to take third tier schools in Bangkok but obviously more money and benefits would be nice. I would be hoping for a relocation and housing allowance. In terms of Bangkok or other places in SE Asia, I am happy to just get my foot in the door and work with enough to get by, go out for some drinks on the weekend, backpack to some areas in the region over my holidays and have enough money to practice muay thai and have a gym membership. I am happy to eat street food most days and abstain from buying fancy clothes and owning a vehicle.

In terms of salary in Latin America, what would be realistic to expect for someone with a masters and 3 years Australian experience? I applied for a job today in Medellin, Colombia that was quoting $22,000-$25,000 US a year plus housing (actual housing - not a allowance). I know Colombia is not particularly experience (I have been there before) but this does seem quite low. Is this the type of salary one can expect or this at the lower end.

Finally, is it difficult for an Australian to break into schools with a US or UK curriculum. I am confident I can adapt but there are very few Australian International Schools. Most of the jobs I have applied for have a US curriculum.

Hi all,

I am hoping to get started in international school teaching mid way through next year. It was originally the reason that I got into teaching. However, until recently I have had several things stopping me from applying (be it a long term relationship or being new to teaching). I have finally decided to bite the bullet and begin the application process.

A bit about me:
I am a full certified teacher in Australia and have been teaching in both government and Catholic schools for three years (full time). I currently have a permanent position teaching full time (however, I am not obligated to stay at my current school). I have a Masters in Teaching from a very good university in Australia. I am qualified to teach Psychology, English and Humanities. I have taught all year levels from 7-12. I have also tutored at University and have worked as a teacher's aide in special needs. In addition to this, I did volunteer work in Thailand - teaching English in a rural orphanage. No IB experience sadly.

So my questions:
1) What are the chances of me landing a job at an IS school? I am happy to get my foot in the door and wouldn't mind doing a few years at somewhere without ideal pay to get some experience. I am mainly interested in Latin America and Asia (just because I have been there) but I am certainly open to other places.
2) I have the possibility of an interview coming up for a school in Bangkok, (I got put in contact with someone in a leadership position there through a friend). In terms of salary and housing allowance, what is the minimum I should expect? I understand this varies from school to school, but should I be successful, I would like to make sure that I am getting enough to live on and to be able to enjoy myself.
3) I have signed up for TIE and I'm in the process of signing up for Search. Is it worth contacting individual schools outside of these organisations? When should I really be putting my foot down in terms of applications? When is peak seasons?
4) Does anyone have any hot tips when it comes for looking for your first IS job?

Thanks in advance everyone.