Geez, that's a lot of money. I didn't get any shots before I came here and I didn't bother with them once in China. Maybe I should have gotten vaccines but I just kind of forgot about it. But I certainly wouldn't get vaccinated in the US - wait until you are in China. The hospitals are insane and fairly useless for medical care but you should at least be able to get the proper vaccines there, and it will be MUCH cheaper than in the US.

Okay, so you have a long way to go I think. I used to be an ESL teacher as well (although I was certified), so I know how frustrating it can be. Your primary objective should be getting certified, and you will most likely have to return to the US to do that (at least for the student teaching portion). I do know that there is a program through George Mason University where you can get certified while working at an international school. 2 of my colleagues are doing that right now and will complete their contracts with 2 years of IB experience. I've never heard of the TeacherReady program.

You can get a job without going back to the US (after you're certified) but without experience it will most likely be in a 3rd tier school unless you teach an in-demand subject (Math, Science, Art).

[quote="Dredge"]I'll be perfectly honest that I am on my way out of my current school... and yes, I complain all of the time. This is not just my issue, though. All of the import teachers complain because we have a major issue with current "middle-top" management. I do not, however, mention anything about my upcoming school, because we all know that we never know what to expect. So who can say the "grass will be greener"? Also, not too many people like the city, either. Sooooo... poor city, poor management, poor working environment... who wouldn't complain? In addition, who should feel guilty about complaining, as long as it's to a sympathetic, and empathetic ear? I have also been one who has tried to make change at the school... but to no avail. Ciao![/quote]

We must be at the same school. There are 10 of us leaving however most of the teachers whinge because it's a very for-profit micromanaging school in one of the worst cities on the planet.

^Yes, he is. The OP just changed the thread title to hide his identity (presumably).

I would strongly advise you not to take this offer. Walk away. Wait until next year, start looking early and there are lots of much better schools that would be happy to hired you. If you can afford it, go to the job fair in Bangkok - I'm sure you would be snatched up quickly.

^Changchun, in the northeast.

I have been here in China for 2 years and I can't wait to leave. I won't be back. China is very hazardous to one's health, and the doctors here are fairly useless. The first thing I'll be doing when I finally leave is getting a full health checkup.

No amount of money would make me want to return.

Just signed the petition - whoever organized it, well-done. I actually met Dorje Gurung at the Bangkok job fair this past January. I was just about to leave on the last day and I spoke to him for a while - nice guy, very intelligent. He said that recruiters were hesitant to hire him because of his nationality. Anyway, please do sign the petition - also, is it possible to make this thread a sticky? Don't want it to disappear.

I've been to the Bangkok fair three times. Most of the schools there are IB schools and thus want teachers with IB experience. There were very few schools that did not have IB programs.

They offered me $31,000 per year. Tax was very low, I think. Housing offered was terrible - the allowance was not really enough to find a decent place. The campus was in northern Jakarta. I emailed a friend of mine who lives in Jakarta and told me that the area is an absolute hellhole and away from the center. The recruiters seemed very nice - I would have no problem working for them but I just couldn't bring my wife with me to live in Jakarta. That, plus the low salary and no IB is what caused me to pass.

If it was at the same school then you should be fine. But if teaching humanities is what you're after, I don't see how your EAL experience is helpful in securing you a job in a different subject area other than EAL.

Also, humanities is probably the least competitive subject. Coupled with the fact that you have no IB experience - honestly I don't think you will have much luck in Bangkok.

Are you after an ESL position or a humanities position? If it's the latter, then your ESL experience will not count.

The no IB experience is the killer - you might get something in Bangkok but you'd have better luck at Cambridge or London I think. In Bangkok every recruiter at sign-up will ask you if you have IB experience. Most will not interview people without it unless it's in a high-demand subject area.

I'll echo what Mathman has said - if they do not offer you a Z visa, then run away from this school. Ask them when you will receive the paperwork for the Z visa. It usually takes about a month after you say "yes" to their offer. They should DHL the paperwork to you, and you in turn will go to the nearest Chinese consulate/embassy to apply for your visa. If they tell you to enter the country on a tourist "L" visa, then the school is no good.

About the contract - it is the Chinese version that is the legal one. But it is not unheard of for schools to add and delete things from contracts once you arrived (happened to me).

The Chinese have a lot of difficulty with transparency when it comes to anything to do with money. I still don't know the salary scale at my school...in fact, I don't even know the particulars of the taxes either. Just expect to be in the dark for your tenure here.

I turned down an offer for them a few years ago. Salary was too low, housing allowance was a joke, and the school did not do IB.

There are a few threads on this school -- do a search and you should find some more info.

My advice is to go back to the UK and teach there for 2 years. Barring that, you can probably still get into an IB school in a less desirable location such as 3rd tier cities in China or any country with -stan in its name. Try countries in the Middle East as well.