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The realization that you can’t dine out because your school salary is too small in relation to the local economy can be, at best, depressing—even more so if you’re putting in long hot days in overcrowded classrooms with no air conditioning or wifi and seriously lacking adequate teaching materials. On the other hand, many international educators live like royalty, perhaps enjoying a maid, a nanny or cook, a driver, finely furnished housing, comprehensive health insurance, a complimentary car and strong savings and travel potential. Yes, many such schools do still exist in today’s worldwide economic downturn. All you have to do is find them!
Few schools, however, advertise their pay package, and recruiting venues usually release participating schools’ benefit information mere hours prior to the event. Many an international teaching candidate has dropped a school from their prospect list at the last minute, realizing a dip into savings would be needed just to make ends meet at the particular school.
Which schools offer international educators the opportunity to live in the style to which we would all like to become accustomed? Which schools will keep you just above the poverty level? The Best & Worst of International School Packages Blog is the place for International Educators to share and compare information on what potential schools realistically have to offer.
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ISR Discussion Boards 
Hi all, I am looking at schools in Singapore. Because it is an expensive city to live and for other reasons, I need the best salary package possible. If you can, please provide ballpark salary figures in Singaporean Dollars for consistency. IB PYP schools preferred but not essential.
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I got more than the average hire even though I lived locally. The problem is that you neglected to negotiate. I know how desperate China is for licensed teachers. Therefore, I was the highest paid employee.
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Hello, we removed your comments because what you have posted is really a review of the school and not comments about on the benefits package. For a number of reason, many of them legal, we ask that you not review schools on the Discussion Boards.
I have included your comments below and encourage you to return to https://internationalschoolsreview.com and post your comments as a school review. You have some valuable information to share with other educators. You do not need to be a site member to post a school review.
Thanks for your understanding and for your participation.
Best,
Paul @ ISR
On Sat, Nov 17, 2018 at 1:56 PM International Schools Review wrote:
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Hi, looking at teaching SE Asia, particularly Hanoi. Would come with one school aged child, partner and a travelling gap year daughter. In the UK, I am HoD for ICT & CS and on UPS. Trying to get an idea of whether the salaties would make it affordable or if it is only worthwhile for single NQTs. Anyone have recent reviews of salaries and benefits package? (as most info here seems 4/5 years old)
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I lived well in Saigon with a child. A number of friends lived well with a travelling spouse. It depends on the school
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Has anyone worked at WAY American School in Brazil? What is the package like?
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Made the mistake of being in country and being designated a “local hire” after accepting the position. I had the same nationality, teaching credential and experience as everybody else in the building but because of the misfortune of not being hired at a fair, I didn’t receive housing, yearly airfare, shipping allowance, etc. This is what turned me off of international teaching as I couldn’t believe that there was this type of institutionalized caste or class system that was acceptable in the profession of education.
My advice to be relevant to this topic is to ensure you attend a fair or return to your country of origin and conduct the interview via Skype to ensure you qualify for a benefits package. I am sure many “locally hired” ex-patriates are affected by this inherently unfair and discriminatory practice in many countries. Returned to Canada where my salary and benefits are exactly the same as the other 3500 teachers in the district.
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On the other hand, it’s likely you wouldn’t have been hired if you were at a fair. Your local status is what attracted your employer, and it got your foot in the door in the international schools circuit.
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Researching well paid international schools in spain and who will give school fees as part of the package. I have 2 children and a husband who could be a teaching assistant. Can anyone help?
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Hello, I am from America and I have one child…Do you know of any schools in Beijing that offer free international schooling as a benefit?
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I’ve worked at international schools in Shanghai and HK and I am aware that most “big international schools” in China would offer free tuition to children of expat teachers….(others may charge miscellaneous fees). Make sure that this is part of your contract benefits.
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Here in Brasilia they do!
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Sao Paulo offers impressive salaries. I was very surprised. My current teaching package amounts to 43k pounds plus apartments and flights. The only problem is the Real is dropping against the pound. Some schools offer a sterling component. This helps. Sao Paulo is a concrete jungle – but a pleasant concrete jungle. I really like living here.
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I think all of them do!
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No. Not all…
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Greetings,
Has anyone had any bad/good experiences with British School Manila? They are dragging their feet coming up with a compensation package for support staff (special ed/Master’s level/speech pathology) and I would hate to delay other offers if their salary scale is not even within my range. Thanks in advance.
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This may have no connection why they are taking too long in coming up with an offer but they are facing a 100M lawsuit against a mother of a fallen student.
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Dear, I am selected for an overseas school at Doha, Qatar. it is I think Bright Future International school, I just want to know about the salary package and accommodation.
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I was in Doha for 2 years and never heard of that school. Have you looked at their website? Also, if you have been hired have they not disclosed salary and benefits?
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Hi the english school colombia is not good school they hired international teacher and terminate their contract immediately in few months time without any specific or solid reason this year 2016-2017 they terminated 3-4 international hired teacher and didn’t pay their salaries some of them cried because they did contract for internet, house and other things and get in problem. This is really very wrong. Please be careful before to start job with this horrible school Tes bogota colombia
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Hi, are you a teacher there? I am applying to TES and want to now more about it, mostly because the reviews from teachers, students and staff are quite good. Puede ser en español también. Gracias.
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test message with links
https://internationalschoolsreview.com
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Can anyone give me information about the Singapore International School of Bangkok or the Anglo Singapore School in Bangkok?
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The Anglo Singapore in Bangkok offered a package of around 70k/m with no housing a few years ago. Summer vacation was 2 weeks. I would say there are lots of better schools out there.
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What are the benefits included in working for Nord Anglia in North America specifically Houston?
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Did you receive any replies to this question?
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Benefits are minimal. Flight at beginning and end of contract and small baggage allowance.
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Has anyone worked in a Shell school in Brunei or anywhere else? The opportunity for family looks awesome but need to know if it will pay to have only me working.
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I worked there from 2009-2012. It was very good but the salary decreased in my time there and educational allowances for children too. I do not know if this was a trend that continued
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Was there the possibility of saving a decent amount of money at the school, with only one person teaching?
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Can you give any idea of the salary please? And how much was covered for fees for children? Thanks
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I worked for a school in Sur, Oman that was next door and connected to the Shell school. When I was there, only the expat kids went to the school and the local children whose parents worked for the same company went to mine. There was talk about combining the schools when I was there (4 years ago). Salary is great, but avoid it at all costs until the Rensons (director and his wife, a principal) leave. Check on his reviews for further details.
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Does anyone know the NET payscale in $US at Garden School in K.L, Malaysia? Can’t find the scale. On ISR a recent review said up to $60, but what is that for: MA and 20 years and after tax? Any help.
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I am interested in the International School of Islamabad. They don’t list any benefits information on their website, but just researching someone else last year wrote about it on their blog stating that they had an amazing benefits page on their website….that has now been removed. I did read comments on here about Lahore American School in Pakistan…..so thought Maybe someone might have any info on the International School of Islamabad salary/benefits/school itself….
If so, please share. Thank you!!!!!!!!
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I used to work at Karachi American School, which has their salary scale posted on their website: http://www.kas.edu.pk/html/payscale.htm. From what I have heard, ISOI has a salary schedule that is just slightly more but Islamabad also has a slightly higher cost of living.
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Has anyone worked at American International School Vienna? Want to know if there is any kind of savings potential there before deciding to dive into the application process for next year. I’m a single male with 10 years of international school experience. Have heard plenty of negative comments about the inability to save money in most parts of Europe…hopefully this doesn’t fall into that category.
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Did you get the answer to your question, Warren? Let me know if you still need an answer.
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I’m interested in this, Kim; could I get some details?
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Did you end up going? I’m moving to Poland in August and am hoping for good savings potential.
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Has anyone worked for the Cognita group in Europe? If so what is their pay scales for teachers within Catalunya, Spain…
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I have been teaching in Europe for five years but now I need to make/save some money. Does anyone know of any high paying European international schools with high savings potential? I know I will most likely end up going to Asia, but I would love to stay in Europe if possible.
Thanks in advance.
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Generally, the best saving in Europe is in Eastern Europe at one of the better schools. Usually each country has just one outstanding school. Western Europe will soak up most of your money with income tax and social security tax. That being said, if you are committed to staying in one of these western European countries for the long haul (20+ years) you will likely have a better pension than a US social security or state teacher retirement plan.
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That is for sure since USA is no longer offering retirement packages to teachers in the form of a pension.
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That might be the case in your state, but in my state, the teacher retirement system is still funded. Retired teachers get a pension based on how many years they worked, from 20 on, and an average of the last few year’s salary. Teachers can also elect to retire, and then be rehired for another three years at their current pay scale. During those three years, their retirement is deposited into an account which they can access after they leave teaching or three years, whichever comes first. If they want to continue working after those three years, they will be paid a first-year teacher salary. Or they can teach in a private school which would also be a pay cut, but perhaps not so drastic.
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Does anybody have any information about the NIS in Kazakhstan
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Their salary is $4500 after taxes. Also give free housing and utilities. You can save a lot there, but it is challenging to work with post-communist societies- quite incompetent and lazy.
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Has anyone worked in American International School Dubai? Care to share benefits and perks?
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I managed to save 60,000 Euro in three years at American International School in Bucharest, Romania. The benefit package there was very good and even included a car
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Anyone know of a school or area where you can take home 55-60k net after housing? We need flights, health insurance and free school places for 2 kids. Is it fairly common?
Any ideas?
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Lots of schools in Asia and Middle East. The Big American schools in China, Emirates, Qatar can easily have you saving more than that as a couple.
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Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar may work for you, depending upon your subject and years of experience.
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You can save that as a couple in Kazakhstan either in Almaty or Astana. I’m with Miras schools and its an easy fit.
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AIS Lagos is 63k+ tax free, paid in USD. Housing, internet, electric, initial and annual flights, excellent health (even covers US) all covered.
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Does anyone know which big schools in Europe will take 3 dependent children for a teaching couple?
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QSI schools let you have unlimited dependents and include housing, some utilities, yearly flights home, and insurance.
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True. I worked at QSI for five years. Their salary is completely tax free (they cover any required tax), currently provide Cigna insurance, and after a few years (sometimes two), you can request a transfer to one of their many campuses (30 countries).
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None, only GCC will
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am interested in an international school in Jeddah but cannot see details on benefits. i have over 15 years experience in teaching maths and science in high school. i would appreciate your input on this issue.
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I lived in Jeddah and have worked at one international school. Send me a PM at bcmeegancc@gmail.com, if you want help/more information
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Hi there. I’d like info on Jeddah as well if you get a chance. High school science is my field with over 15 years experience and masters degree as well. Thanks in advance!
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I just found your message here. BISJ (British) and AISJ (American) are your two best options for Jeddah. JPGS (British) is also here, but has had significant turnover of staff and leadership over the years. BISJ is an IB school, while AISJ is American/AP. Each offers housing on compounds, as well as other benefits.
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I work in Jeddah. Give me your email and I will send some info.
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Id love to hear your opinion as I am considering above there in the near future. Could you email me about your work experience and benefits package there? I’d have a few questions for you. My email is cpkinnally@gmail.com
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Does anyone know if it is possible to negotiate benefits and or salary in South American schools?
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Not in Mexico, at least not in my school anymore.
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What school are you in and what is the average pay rate??? Taxes? Housing???
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Does anyone know approximately what the salary is in Riverside in Prague for a relatively newly qualified teacher?
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I am interested at becoming an assistant principal or dean at an international school. Does anyone know the salary packages and credentials?
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I was offered 5 different positions this recruiting season, 3 of which were before the January fairs, and 2 after when I had re-signed with my current employer. What I can tell you is that the two schools I was most interested in, one in Shanghai, and the other in Bahrain, were $1000-2000 USD/month lower in pay that what I currently make. The school in Egypt of all places was pretty close with an almost identical contract offer as what I currently have. Haiti and India weren’t even close. Maybe half of what I currently make. I’m only talking pay. My children are back home and not overseas with me so the tuition benefits were not important to me but each school offered up to 2 free tuition packages. All but China were tax free but the school in China paid the taxes. The school in Bahrain was the only one that had better housing.
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Did you use recruiters or attend the fairs? I am working and cannot go to any. What recruiters (if any), would you recommend? I am interested in an American school (if possible), in Egypt, but am currently working with a British Curriculum in the Middle East.
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I am with ISS but did not attend any fairs. You should try the ESOL group. They have a few British schools and several American schools all over MENA (4-5 in Egypt).
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what school are you at?
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out of curiosity, where were you located at the time? Sounds like they had a good package
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Hi Sarah,
Without experience, you are going to have a hard time getting into the really good international schools, many of which use Search and ISS for all their recruiting. TIE Online is another resource. I am registered with Search, and they list salaries on their website.
I have always wanted to go to Europe, too, but when I’ve considered the cost of living, it just wasn’t ever worth it. Most teachers I know who have taught in Europe end up dipping into their savings…so they are poorer when they leave than when they arrived.
I’m currently in China earning 40.5K USD per year plus benefits with 8 years experience and a master’s. This is a pretty good package, and I can save 3000$ per month. One thing to be aware of, though, is that sometimes schools don’t actually pay you according to your contract. For example, out of 11 teachers who left at the end of last year, only 4 actually got their retirement pay, which is supposed to be 10% of annual salary. So sometimes it sounds great, but the reality is very different. I do have a membership to ISR’s site, so I can check reviews, and honestly, I would recommend that you get a membership, too. Obviously some of the reviews are written by jaded, bitter ex-employees, but you can usually tell what to believe. This would give you an idea about the salary and benefits and if those salary and benefits actually materialize.
Also consider cost of living. Of course Beijing, Shanghai, HK, and Singapore usually pay more…but you are also going to spend a ton living in those places!
Good luck!
R
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You mentioned “Search” website so… Question? Is it better to sign up with Search vs working with a “free” recruiter?
Im starting to believe working with a free recruiter, your pay will less.
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Hi Purplekitten, yes sign up for Search Associates. It is about $220 I think, but worth it because you can see a whole lot of schools and their payscales, about the school, contacts package etc. Well worth it, even if you do it just once to see all the schools and get a really good overview of what to expect in regards to packages. I didn’t find they helped me get jobs though, just put you in the database and then helps you find jobs you then apply for.
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Yes, definitely sign up with a major recruiter! I personally recommend Search’s John Ritter. He is the best! A huge resource, and when I’m on the market again, I’ll register and work with him again.
The other great thing about ISS and Search is that there is some built-in security. Both you as the teacher and the school as the employer are obligated to honor the contract. If either of you messes up, then Search will terminate you! That’s how my school in China got terminated by Search, ISS, and TIE. Now I’m in a school that uses Search, and if they were ever to not pay me or something, then I would report them to Search and they would be terminated. Same goes for me. If I break my contract, my school can report me to Search, and then I would be terminated. Of course in either case, documentation is necessary, and Search does investigate. But regardless, I like this added security feature, especially having just finished at a hellhole school in China. I want to use Search again, and so does my school, so of course we both have excellent motivation to hold up our ends of the deal.
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I have heard quite a few stories of schools that have done terrible things and Search has kept them in their system.
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I have heard this also, but I do know that with enough evidence, schools do get terminated. Not exactly where that line is, though. But at least it’s something!!!
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Hi there, I am looking for school in the middle east that covers up to 2 dependents tuition fees.. the school I am working for covers only 50% and coming out of my salary. I am left basically with nothing
Thanks
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Qatar Academy – all of the Qatar Foundation schools will cover up to 3 dependents I believe. They also cover housing and tuition fees.
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You should have no problem getting a job, but you’ll definitely end up in one of the lower tiered schools. The best schools require extensive experience, including overseas experience, plus credentials. You’re on your way, but it’ll take a while to get what you need to get into the embassy schools, for example. TIE Online is a good place to get jobs. Once you have experience, you can register with Search or ISS. Good luck!
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Are there lists to show which schools are considered to be top, middle and lower tiered schools? If not, how does one know which schools are which?
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You’ll hear from teachers along the way. Also, Search and ISS list the schools’ compensation packages, but of course you have to be approved and registered to get access to that info. If you check the US State Department’s Office of Overseas Schools, you can see which schools receive funding from the US gov. That usually indicates a better school. You can also search by finding accredited schools on the WACS, SACS, MSA, and IB websites, but it will take some leg work since you’d then have to check out each school website.
In general, Asia (China and Korea) and Middle East have the most savings potential. Latin America pays less, and Europe is expensive, so you can’t save as much.
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Thank you. Very helpful.
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Oh, and also ask for current teachers’ email addresses and then ask them. I do this by implying I’m concerned about life as a young single female. Then once I’ve established contact with teachers, I can ask more questions.
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I wouldn’t. Good schools choose experienced staff. When people bandy words around like lower tier, they send mixed messages because there is no clear definition of what this means (is it lower salary, just established, run as a business first and educational facility second, run on local guidelines and not international … and so on).
If you start your teaching experience off in a poor school, you will not get the support you need to develop as a professional. You will gain poor habits, lack professional guidance, be frustrated and model your teaching more on the people around you (who will undoubtably have bad habits) and may even get jaded and resentful.
Get a job in your own country in a good school for a few years so that you develop positive skills in a nurturing environment.
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Jakarta has problems with the legal system. Read up on what happened to a Canadian teacher there.
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Try RAK academy in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
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Hello, has anyone heard about the International School in Padua? I am a teacher looking at a job over there and wondered if anyone knew what the salary would be/cost of living? Thanks.
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It was about 20,000, really not enough, if you are bringing family. Did you end up taking the job?
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Hi,
What a great forum!!
Can anyone tell me about the package at the british international school in shanghai (puxi/ padong).
Is salary net or gross??
Thanks
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You want a cracking salary, BIS And JIS in Jakarta are hard to beat. Great money and outstanding benefits, housing, utilities, staff, flights, vehicles. Unreal
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Really?? How much is the salary ? What are the benefits?
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About 50,000 usd plus housing and bills paid for.
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What do BIS and JIS stand for? I would like to look into these schools.
THANKS!!!
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JIS is Jakarta Intercultural School and BIS is British International School.
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British Jakarta School these days.
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Looking for the highest paying job possible for my husband and I. I am aware of regions, but not SPECIFIC SCHOOLS. It’d be great if each of us could make 50k+. Please offer any specific school suggestions. Thanks!
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If you are interested and experienced in ESL, you could both earn your target salary in Jeddah, KSA, along with having free housing and free utilities on a nice compound, car and gas provided, flights, insurance and more.
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I currently teach in AK and as a first year teacher last year signed on for 53k. I teach in the NWABSD school district 2nd highest in the state. I live in teacher housing due to the remoteness which I rent at a pre-set rate that save a lot of money.
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I’m at the same school district (Northwest Arctic Borough School District in Alaska…GOOGLE IT) as a 1st year teacher as well. The salary is tremendous (53.8K USD base salary, no experience). Rent+Health Insurance+US Taxes are taken directly out of pay (500-800 Rent, 90-150 Health Care/Monthly, and no State Tax!). They have a great retirement system (12.6% employer, up to 8% employee). If you use amazon prime, deal with the cold and long nights, and look at deals in the local stores, you can find additional value/savings. Kids/Administration/Villages are very accommodating, friendly, and laid back, plenty of vacation time, and the Northern Lights are AMAZING!
Overall, I’m looking for me w/non-teaching spouse, 1st year teacher w/Bachelor’s:
10K into Retirement
15K easy into Bank: Allocate 1/2 that to IRA, 401K, Social Security, Etc.
Oh, and the Salary Schedules…
Bachelor’s+7 years, No Grad Courses=Approx. 70K gross now, was 55K gross in 07-08
Bachelor’s+10 years,18 hours of coursework earned subsequent to the conferring of the Baccalaureate Degree=Approx. 79K gross now, was 63K in 07-08
Master’s+13 years=Approx. 90K gross now, was 73K in 07-08
Big costs are:
*Flights, Travel, and Food
*Otherwise, it has many great perks 🙂 I’m hoping to be here 25+++ years 😀
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Sorry but what is AK and what is NWABSD?
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Thanks Matt. I think one likely needs to have a Green Card or US American citizenship to work there. Hope you enjoy it there. You can take up dog sledding and Skidooing 🙂
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Do you mean snowmobiling? skidooing is done on water.
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Isn’t the pollution of the city terrible? I have heard it is one of the worst in the world.
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Any info on Mosaica International School Hyderabad? Or other schools in India?
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Few schools, however, advertise their pay package, and recruiting venues usually release participating schools’ benefit information
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Has anyone worked in Barbados? Is the salary there livable for a family? Anything we should know?
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Any info on Tunas Muda International School in Jakarta?
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Heard mixed reviews. Working in Jakarta now. Would stick more wig JIs or bis
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Which school in Jakarta? Would you mind sharing your salary and opinion of the school?
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I’s think carefully about Jakarta. Bit of a dive if truth be told and the traffic is horrendous.
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