yes,
I know where you are coming from. I have thought that too. Of course, there is always another side to a coin. In the US a lot of schools post teacher info and school email contacts on the school site. Many also publish the board minutes in PDF form on line when you are hired. There are pros and cons to sharing this info with the school community and internet. I suppose if you were being stalked you wouldn't want just anyone to know where you worked. etc. In Asia I think some schools do it to be more competitive. I know of schools that like to hire only Ivy league grads because some Asians really like that brand name, even if it is a new teacher they would rather have someone from Harvard or Yale than an experienced teacher from a state university. Sometimes it is the culture. If you are in a dangerous country you might not want your picture and name up on an international or US school web-site maybe.

I see what you are saying but I think that teaching a mostly local population of students can be rewarding and insightful and really give you more of a feel of the country and culture. Of course web sites are adverts BUT you can get a feel and some instinctual info from sites. What they don't share or say sometimes is more telling. The site shows the teachers and their backgrounds. I think this is nice in a way that they are open. Some sites don't tell you any teacher names or info at all.

I've taught at diverse international schools that are not for profit and they too can share many of the same "growing pains" as the other types of schools. I've worked in high turnover schools and low turnover schools and neither was perfect and both had wonderful assets. I think it is important to find out about the school culture and morale and also to avoid gossip and negative complaints if possible. Building a profesional relationship with the students and really being dedicated to teaching and also enjoying the culture makes a big difference. Every school has the potential to do better. Change in heads in a new school isn't necessarily bad. As long as one can teach and have a blast with the kids and avoid too many problems and hope that the school is above board for the most part....it could be a growing and rewarding opportunity.

I agree that usually, unless you are in a "place of hardship" and/or get really low pay and have some sort of issues with a location or a school--------That quality of life overseas is usually always better in my opinion.
I don't like the North American life-style (US, Canada), the dependence on cars, the strip mallls and "My, Me and Mine" culture. I don't like the politics, the mind-set...etc. of the US at all. I have never felt at home in the US. Not to mention that the same problems and questionable treatment can crop up in US schools just as in overseas schools. People like to complain about injustice and ill treatment but mistreatment,
prejudice, sexual harassment, incorrect pay, and even theft of school funds have all happened in US schools.....Not to mention extreme violence and theft. One of my friends worked in a US school where the PRINCIPAL was using the students to run a multi-million dollar drug ring. She ended up going on the stand to put him in jail and now she can not go anywhere in a certain city or she could be targeted by his friends. No Joke!

Calcio-
just exactly what do your friends at TAS complain about exactly?
Are there any blatant huge issues one should know about such as grade fixing, taking out VN tax but not giving it to the tax authorities, low morale, breaking of contracts by the school, teachers doing runners...etc.. I noticed that a lot of the teachers have less than 5 years experience and that some of it is teaching ESL.
I don't think a mostly local student body is bad and what I see on the site and from what I hear....it seems that they are going in the right direction.
Even at top tier Intl schools I hear stories of crazy things that occur and complaints/gossip etc. But all in all no school is perfect and with any new school or for profit school there are always certain things that crop up. Hopefully tho, these can be dealt with and one can focus on the kids and enjoy Saigon. :)

You say you wouldn't rec. TAS but then at the end of your
review you say that you are signing on for 2 more years.
Change of heads in schools like this are not uncommon and I have heard good things about the current head. No school is perfect I suppose but overall I think the issue is mostly -1. do you feel like you are having fun teaching and making an impact on the students whilst growing as a teacher. 2. Are you able to ignore things that aren't perfect or do those things impede teaching so much that it is impossible to feel like you are able to make a positive impact? If one is able to ignore or put up with an imperfect school and connect with the students as well as enjoy the city and culture then I think signing on again for 2 more years is indeed a good move. May I ask what the typical savings is for a single person who is frugal might be and what step they start folks out on? (I have lots of experience). What are rents like for single people near the school?
I have been to Bangkok and loved it. So I reckon I would like Saigon as well. Not keen on the Hot but one is teaching most of the time and walking around the shops and sights in the early mornings and evenings would be great. Also, are there any opportunities to volunteer in the local community...say helping young people or animals?
I agree with Psy Guy in this case.

Does anyone know what ICSA is like now ?

Yes, I am more concerned with info about the individual school, working condidtions etc. I can research what it is like to live there more easily on line than finding out about a shcool from overseas. I appreaciate Psy guy's pro vs. con but I really want info from someone who is at the mentioned school NOW or has been there recently. This would be more helpful

wellspring school, beruit?

What is living and teaching in VZ like?
I am looking at a school with good reviews that is near Monagas.
What is the situation with the US dollar there now? The school I am looking at pays all the salary into your US account and then there is some mention of then tranferring that money to another person in the US for some reason to sell the dollars? Is there some kind weird system to access money there as a foreigner? I'm sure it is one of these things that once one understands it is a no-brainer but I don't quite understand why one would have to transfer money to a friend's account??? Or maybe I am misunderstanding the situtation.
Overall tho the school sounds great.

I read the review on ISR about the Private Semi Conductor International schools in Shanghai and other locations...
Are they still that disorganized? Aside from having to sign for everything, locked rooms, odd rules etc...what is the daily teaching life/culture like?
Class size, students, curriculum, resources, etc. Once you get used to the annoying things and get your apartment set up is it bearable or not?

no, no offer. I am actually looking for a positive way around this to try to deal with these sorts of situations and hope maybe the reviews are either wrong or maybe she might be OK...or I can find a way to avoid run-ins and focus on the job...etc

Hey,
What is the Intl School of Singapore like to work for. I see complaints about small things like "old building" and resources as well as lower pay for apartments...which I hear is not uncommon in Singapore to have to use your salary to pay for part of houseing...

I am more interested to know what it is like to work at ISS. School Culture etc...
About how much can a frugal person save after taxes and expenses on the ISS salary?