BIS has been around for quite a bit and is located in the expat ghetto of town. It is probably the most respected school in the city. The majority of the students are expats with a significant number being western expats.

BVIS is a newer school from the BIS family of schools. It's a bilingual school for Vietnamese families and does not offer the DP (IGCSE's and A Levels). It is located in the southern suburbs (complete opposite direction of expat ghetto).

I know teachers there and although they feel that they are working at a language school, they are quite happy. The benefits are OK and they are treated pretty well.

However, as far as schools go, it is not in the same category as the original BIS.

Saigon is a wonderful place to spend a few years. It is interesting enough and the community quite a bit of fun, too.

The schools, however, are another story. You would be ok at BIS if you don't mind things overly British in the wrong context. Saigon South would also allow you to go through your day without cringing every few minutes.

ALL Saigon schools are for profit. Which for me means that none of them are long term placements.

Cheers and good luck.

I worked at CAQ over 10 years ago and loved it. It was my first IB gig and pretty stress free.

They pay considerably less than Cotopaxi but the reduced workload made up for it.

In the two years I worked there the school had 100 and 91 percent pass rates and the average DP score was several points above Cotopaxi's.

I was not to impressed with Quito but Ecuador is pretty amazing.

An excellent introduction to the MYP and DP world. If money isn't an issue, an excellent place to start you international teaching/IB career.

Suerte

I worked at CAQ over 10 years ago and loved it. It was my first IB gig and pretty stress free.

They pay considerably less than Cotopaxi but the reduced workload made up for it.

In the two years I worked there the school had 100 and 91 percent pass rates and the average DP score was several points above Cotopaxi's.

I was not to impressed with Quito but Ecuador is pretty amazing.

An excellent introduction to the MYP and DP world. If money isn't an issue, an excellent place to start you international teaching/IB career.

Suerte

The lines were due to the 57 openings they had/have...They only posted about half of them so as not to long like a mad house. The place is no longer, nor will ever be what is was.

Simon Leslie will be the new head but he's probably coming down here to head up COGNITA's South East Asian expansion. Makes sense for someone his age and at that stage of his career.

Very disappointing, but oh well...

I also congratulate you shadowjack. Best of luck and thanks for the postings.

I would like to mention one thing about bangkok to get your opinion...

Everyone says that it's incredibly stressful and this and that, that even great candidates struggle - which I completely agree with. However, the two weakest candidates that i know, great people but universally considered the worst teachers at my school, landed jobs at a near/close/almost/regarded by some to be a top tier school on the first day of the fair. No dp or myp experience either. I was very happy for them, but seriously?

Did any one hear of these types of silly hires?

Might sound like I'm being overly skeptical, but makes you wonder.

I was in Munich with 2 dependents at a top tier school earning over 60k and could not cope at all. Life in southern Germany is incredibly expensive. We had to leave because we couldn't make ends meet. On top of ludicrous food and housing costs, tuition is a taxable benefit - we were then looking at about 500 euros a month for our child.

Bottom line...not worth it.

Saigon is brilliant. Highly recommend it for singles, couples and families with young children (0-10 years old). The place could get a bit boring for middle school age children. Once they are in the DP, then they should be OK.

SSIS is a decent school. As far as Saigon goes, it is top tier. SSIS, BIS and AIS (the Aussie one) all pay roughly the same amount. All considered top tier for the city.

Vietnam is an interesting country, although not my favorite. However, there is plenty to see and do and the region is quite interesting, too.

Disregard what PsyGuy says at all times. He probably has never been to Saigon, anyway.

Should be a great place to spend a few years.

Good luck!

Hello.

I apologize for adding this onto your post...but feel that it is relevant.

How do you see the PYP in the Early Years? My wife is an early years' specialist with loads of international experience and is in her second PYP school. She still feels that it is not entirely appropriate for that age level.

Any thoughts?



Thanks.

I meant 'for Japan'. Sorry about that.

Not me. I would never trade SE Asia Japan.

Hello.

When I arrived a few years ago it wasn't a problem at all. I was paid 100% in US Dollars so it was simply a question of doing an online international bank transfer.

Now my school has moved to a 70% USD/30% local currency pay structure. You'll lose money on the exchange rate but in the end it continues to be pretty easy.

I send money out of the country every month or so and it has never been a problem.

Cheers.

Daniel

In terms of reputation among the parent community:

British International School of Vietnam
Australian International School

This is really only because the two schools are right in the middle of expat area. The Australian school begins to suffer in the secondary because the campus is not in this area. The three primary campuses are and so get a large share of expat kids.

In terms of package:

Saigon South International School (although salary is taxed)
ACG and Australian International School (owned by same company - exact same package)

Probably best school (for a teacher - so, probably for students as well):
Saigon South International School

If you take a look at package, class loading, PD opportunities, and general morale, it would be the school to teach at.

ALL of the schools in this town are for profit. This doesn't mean that they don't pay well or treat their teachers like crap. It simply means that they are owned by someone or some company who in the end wants to make a profit off of their school. It's pretty simple. Sometimes you feel it, sometimes you don't.

Hope this helps.

Of the three schools I mentioned earlier, all pay well over 30,000. My wife worked at one, I have close friends at one and I worked at one.

I also read and asked questions about the Lincoln contract 4 years ago. Over 30k, too. But not close to the other three.

PG is clueless.

Once again, PG is wrong. Check the Search database to see the real figures.

If you were single I would say you could save. If you were both teaching, then definitely. With a dependent, it would be a bit difficult. Buenos Aires and South America are both places you really would want to explore...

Good luck.