In our new blog series, we will give a review of the most informed member-submitted comments from a specific month. In this article, we look at the ones submitted in February 2024.
We ask our members to submit comments that are detailed and full of useful information. With these informative comments submitted into our 68 comment topics about each school, ISC is the place to go to get the information you want, fast!
So here is the list for February 2024 that we thought stuck out as the most informative comments:
What is the process of getting a work permit for this country, to get permanent residence, and also to get citizenship (is dual citizenship even allowed?)?
“You visit the visa office on your assigned Saturday morning (meet at 730 am). Work permit/residency ID will be issued within 1 to 2 months or never. If never, you continue getting a visa on arrival and the school reimburses for the visa cost and any overstaying visa f…”
Has the school met your expectations once you started working there?
“No, students in the Cambridge courses are NOT supported. OR, they are placed in Cambridge courses they cannot learn and pass. Management “fixes” this by recommending those students do not sit the Cambridge exams. OR, management tells parents their plans to r…”
What does the school do to create a harmonious state of well-being and high morale amongst its staff?
“2022-2024; Unfortunately, many of the campuses hired administration and faculty that are NOT harmonious, but create toxic work environments through fear, intimidation, favoritism as well as an utter lack of leadership skills. The flagship campus has hired / fired or quit a superi…”
Details about the current teacher appraisal process.
“Once a year we set a goal and then they observed us. Feedback was minimal, sometimes helpful depending on who observed us, and then once more we looked at our goal end of year and turned in a reflection. No response or conversation regarding the end of year reflection or how te…”
In general, why are people staying at or leaving this school?
“Many people are leaving as the workload and lack of value for teachers has become unbearable. Suzhou is nice enough and an easier city to live in than some others in China, but there’s not much to do other than go shopping…”
Recent things that the school has taken on (i.e. new curriculum, specific professional development, etc.)
“The school uses 4 curricula. For its primary years, the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) provides a holistic and inquiry-based approach to learning, emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, and international-mindedness…”
Languages of the host city and the level of English spoken there.
“In the tourist areas, some locals can speak pretty good English. But even in those areas, if you go to a random shop the store worker will just blankly stare at you with no interest in even trying to understand you. This was a recent experience of mine. In the end, I bought something, but it seems like a pain for her to sell it to me.”
10 Informative Member-Submitted Comments from February 2024
In our new blog series, we will give a review of the most informed member-submitted comments from a specific month. In this article, we look at the ones submitted in February 2024.
We ask our members to submit comments that are detailed and full of useful information. With these informative comments submitted into our 68 comment topics about each school, ISC is the place to go to get the information you want, fast!
So here is the list for February 2024 that we thought stuck out as the most informative comments:
What is the process of getting a work permit for this country, to get permanent residence, and also to get citizenship (is dual citizenship even allowed?)?
“You visit the visa office on your assigned Saturday morning (meet at 730 am). Work permit/residency ID will be issued within 1 to 2 months or never. If never, you continue getting a visa on arrival and the school reimburses for the visa cost and any overstaying visa f…”
Cairo American College (228 total comments) in Cairo, Egypt.
Average monthly salary after taxes and in what currency (explain taxation situation). How often do you get paid throughout the year?
“Monthly Salary paid in USD but converted to RMB and paid to Chinese bank account. Salary is good compared to many other schools in China and abroad…”
Hangzhou International School (43 total comments) in Hangzhou, China
Explain how salaries are decided (e.g. is there a pay schedule? extra step for masters degree? Annual pay raises? Bonuses?).
“There is a pay schedule, but it is not published. There are annual pay raises – the Board decides on these each autumn…”
The International School Yangon (40 total comments) in Yangon, Myanmar
Has the school met your expectations once you started working there?
“No, students in the Cambridge courses are NOT supported. OR, they are placed in Cambridge courses they cannot learn and pass. Management “fixes” this by recommending those students do not sit the Cambridge exams. OR, management tells parents their plans to r…”
Vietnam Australia International School (170 total comments) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
What does the school do to create a harmonious state of well-being and high morale amongst its staff?
“2022-2024; Unfortunately, many of the campuses hired administration and faculty that are NOT harmonious, but create toxic work environments through fear, intimidation, favoritism as well as an utter lack of leadership skills. The flagship campus has hired / fired or quit a superi…”
VinSchool (30 total comments) in Hanoi, Vietnam
What insider information would you give to a teacher considering working at this school?
“You are at an advantage if you are single or European. If married get your own immigration lawyer if you have a spouse…”
Marymount International School (Rome) (24 total comments) in Rome, Italy
Details about the current teacher appraisal process.
“Once a year we set a goal and then they observed us. Feedback was minimal, sometimes helpful depending on who observed us, and then once more we looked at our goal end of year and turned in a reflection. No response or conversation regarding the end of year reflection or how te…”
Leipzig International School (64 total comments) in Leipzig, Germany
In general, why are people staying at or leaving this school?
“Many people are leaving as the workload and lack of value for teachers has become unbearable. Suzhou is nice enough and an easier city to live in than some others in China, but there’s not much to do other than go shopping…”
Suzhou Singapore International School (158 total comments) in Suzhou, China
Recent things that the school has taken on (i.e. new curriculum, specific professional development, etc.)
“The school uses 4 curricula. For its primary years, the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) provides a holistic and inquiry-based approach to learning, emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, and international-mindedness…”
International School of Lusaka (73 total comments) in Lusaka, Zambia
Languages of the host city and the level of English spoken there.
“In the tourist areas, some locals can speak pretty good English. But even in those areas, if you go to a random shop the store worker will just blankly stare at you with no interest in even trying to understand you. This was a recent experience of mine. In the end, I bought something, but it seems like a pain for her to sell it to me.”
International School of Nice (36 total comments) in Nice, France
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