The International Schools Review Forum

Hi everyone, SO i was hoping someone one could help me out! I graduated with certification for English K-12 in May of 2010. I tried looking for an international school position (but around June all positions seemed to be filled already) not through an agency like SA or ISS, which i have long been reading about but instead by simply looking at websites that posted international jobs. I got lucky, and landed a last minute Job at an international preparatory academy in South Korea. It is not a legitimate International school..it simply attempts to function like one. There are many of these types of private International curriculum immersion schools in Korea. In any case this will qualify I hope as one year of teaching experience but i notice most international schools (from looking at some websites) require two years minimum experience. My question is what are my chances of landing a position at an International school for the 2011-2012 school year and should i continue to use the online job sites and direct contact of school heads as a way to get these jobs or should i register with one of the big guys (ISS and SA) and attend a International Job fair? My contract in South Korea is up in the summer. Please any advice!!!

Hi:

You are a disadvantage with only one year of teaching experience (and that not in a public school or international school). That being said, all it takes is to be at the right place at the right time (or have your email/CV cross someone's desk at the right time). Your having lived and taught overseas for at least a year is a positive.

Keep applying and sending out emails. You may want to consider a recruiter, but Search used to require two years exp. to register. Do your research and target a lot of second tier schools. You may want to give the rest of Asia a close look. Beijing has been great so far and there are a ton of solid, well-paying schools here.

Good luck and feel free to ask any specific questions.