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Our new blog series will review the most informed member-submitted comments from a specific month. This article looks at the ones submitted in September 2024.
We ask our members to submit comments that are detailed and full of useful information. With these informative comments submitted into our 71 comment topics about each school, ISC is the place to go to get the information you want, fast!
So here is the list for September 2024 that we thought stuck out as the most informative comments:
What are some local customs (regarding eating, drinking and going out, family, socializing, etc.) that you find interesting for expats to know about?
“Nigerians greet everyone. It is considered very rude to walk past a Nigerian in the hallway at school and not properly greet them, including asking them how their family is doing. Victoria Island is a bubble, so you can really isolate yourself from Nigerian culture if you want. Additionally, there are so many ethnic groups in Nigeria that describing their local customs in a monolith is pretty challenging…”
Recent things that the school has taken on (i.e. new curriculum, specific professional development, etc.).
“This school year, we have implemented and rolled out a House System to build a stronger sense of community and promote student engagement. In this system, students and teachers are grouped into different “houses,” each competing in a variety of activities such as academics, sports, and extracurricular events. This school year, we have implemented and rolled out a House System to build a stronger sense of community and promote student engagement. In this system, students are grouped into different “houses,” each competing in a variety of activities such as academics, sports, and extracurricular events…”
Describe the language abilities of students at this school and what is the “common language spoken in the hallways”. Is there one dominant cultural group?
“The common language used in this school is English. The school has an English-only policy, thus everyone uses English fluently in school. However, the students are mostly Korean…”
Average monthly salary after taxes and in what currency (explain taxation situation). How often do you get paid throughout the year?
“A teacher without a TLR can expect to take home around 14-16,000 ringgit per month after tax, which includes housing allowances. In addition to this, the EPF (Malaysia’s retirement fund) plays a significant role in your overall package. Roughly 3,000 ringgit will be automatically deducted from your salary for EPF, but this is separate from the 14-16,000 ringgit mentioned earlier. The school also contributes about 11% of your salary into the EPF fund, with an annual interest rate of approximately 5-8%. When considering the overall package, especially with these contributions, it compares very favourably with other locations…”
Describe what kinds of teachers work here (local vs. expat, qualifications [or lack there of], etc.) and staff turnover rate. Is there a native English speaker or nationality requirement? Is it LGBT friendly country/school?
“Teachers are mostly local hires (Ghanaian) but there is a host of expat teaching staff from the UK, America, Canada, India, the Caribbean, South Africa, Nigeria etc. Lessons are taught in English so you need to have a good command of the English language (both written and spoken). Ghana legally frowns upon the LGBT community…”
What advice can you give on how to set things up like internet, phone, experience dealing with landlord, etc.?
“The main dealers are a company called AIS, all of their big outlets have English speaking staff and you can normally get set up within a week. Landlords are different according to where you live. Some good, perhaps some not so…”
Detailed info about lifestyles: singles vs. couples, gay vs. straight, nightlife vs. quiet and big city vs nature.
“Unfortunately being gay is not really accepted in the local community. However, there is a growing number of LGBTQI+ expats and most expats in general are quite accepting. Gay marriage is still illegal…”
Health insurance and medical benefits. Describe your experiences using these benefits and going to the local hospitals.
“There is public health in Spain, however waiting times are long. Brewster offers private insurance as a benefit, which is not at all common in schools in Spain…”
Average monthly salary after taxes and in what currency (explain taxation situation). How often do you get paid throughout the year?
“There is a salary review and a small bump after the first year. Foreign teachers still have the same salary as stated below. Be mindful as local teachers report that the social insurances has again not been paid…”
Describe the school’s location in relation to the city center and to the teacher’s housing. How do staff get to school before and after school?
“School is relatively easy to get into town (20 min on the train to Shinjuku). It is a 20 min walk to the station however. No housing allowance is offered, but there is a travel allowance…”
It has been a couple of years since we launched this unique ISC premium feature, the Compare Schools page!
Our members are always looking to compare one international school to another. Using the 51381+ comments that our ISC Mayors have also helped to submit, we think it is so cool that we have an ISC page where you can compare two international schools based on eight pre-selected comment topics. Surely the results will help you make the important decision of signing a contract with one of them!
Additionally, once you have selected two of the listed schools (here is an example), you can see a point score that each school received for each of the 8 comment topics. The total score for each school is also displayed, clearly showing the “winner” with the most points.
Of course, the score is based on teacher-submitted comments/reviews, therefore it is subjective. But having in mind that multiple teachers are submitting comments, we believe this unique ISC page reflects the realistic situation at a specific school.
At the moment, we have 216+ schools available to be compared. We usually add a new school to the list every two weeks or so. If your school is already listed, please have a look at each displayed comment and assigned score. If you would like us to improve some of the comments or scores, write to us here.
However, if your school is not listed yet, we need your help to get it added! Please write to us by contacting us via our Help and Support page with the details for each section and your suggested score for each comment topic. Or just submit some new comments on your school profile page and we will add your school to our Compare Schools page.
Thank you in advance for your feedback and support in making this feature the best it can be. It is truly a unique feature to help people gather information and analyze it so that they can make the best decisions for themselves when working in the international school community.
New Teacher Orientation is Now Underway: 14 Must-Haves
Stressing out about what your new international school is going to be like once you finally arrive?
Want to get a good idea of what you can expect (or not expect) during your first few weeks at your new international school?
Wondering what you can do before and after your move to put yourself more at ease and to be better prepared?
Take some time then to read this 14-part series on the ISC blog. It is the go-to series for staff in charge of inducting their new staff members.
Here are the 14 must-haves with a little excerpt of each article:
1. A trip around the city
“A friend just told me that there is a hidden rule amongst international school teachers, and that is that you shouldn’t accept any visitors to your new home within the first six months of living there. I suppose that is true in some ways and not true in other ways. One time I did have a friend visit me during…” READ MORE
2. A pick-up from the airport from administration
“To start things off right, it might be ideal if the person who hired you picks you up from the airport when you arrive. Starting on the right note is very important for an international school teacher, especially when you are bound to experience a bit of culture shock. One way to start in the right way is how you get…” READ MORE
3. Lunches provided by the school during the orientation week at the school campus.
“Having a catered, home (cafeteria)-cooked lunch is NOT a given when you start working at an international school. Some international schools include free lunches in their benefits package all year round (for all teachers mind you!). Still, some international schools don’t offer this benefit…not even during PD events or during new teacher orientation. It is a nice gesture on the school’s part to offer…” READ MORE
4. Help finding a place to live!
“Finding a place to live in any country can be a headache! When you are involved in different languages, different cultural traditions, norms, etc. finding an apartment can be even more of a headache. In turn, it would be much appreciated if the administration/business staff at your new school could help you out. Some international schools just place you in a compound that the school owns and you must live there for…” READ MORE
5. An organized trip to help you get furniture for your new home.
“It is not ideal to arrive the first day/night in your new host city only to arrive at your new apartment and find it VERY unfurnished. It doesn’t necessarily start you on the right foot with regards to settling in with your new life when maybe you do not even have a bed on which to sleep. For sure there are many international schools out there that place their new teachers directly into…” READ MORE
6. A settling-in allowance given to you in cash (local currency)!
“You just get off the airplane. You have what seems to be a million bags with you. You are quite tired from your long flight journey to your new host country. You are frantically looking for the person who said that they were going to pick you up from the airport. You find them and they bring you to your new place that will be your home for the next few years. So many things on your mind, so many things to worry about, and SO many things to buy…” READ MORE
7. A dinner outing with the director and administration
“In some cultures, it is very much of a bonding moment between people when they share a meal. It is a time when you can relax and have some nice conversations with each other. Getting to know your director and other new teachers in this kind of setting will help you with future encounters with the director and also with your potential new good friends. Having a meal with your bosses can really…” READ MORE
8. A starter supply of groceries for your new home.
“Luckily, many international schools out there are getting this one right. Someone in the “new teacher orientation” committee is going out to a grocery store before you arrive and getting you the necessities for you. What are the necessities? Typically you get some…” READ MORE
9. Resource person with a contact number and email address
“There is so much going on for international school teachers in their first days, weeks, and even months after starting at their new school. There is just as much going on for you before you arrive in your new host country. Being that there is so much to think about, one of the most important things that international schools can do for their new hires is set up so that they have a resource person. New teachers actually need…” READ MORE
10. Getting access to the internet AS FAST AS POSSIBLE!
“Please schools (the ones that help teachers find apartments or have new teachers move into school-owned housing), the best thing you can do to help out your new staff is to think ahead and somehow get the internet set up in their houses…before they arrive or VERY soon after they arrive…” READ MORE
11. Beginning-level host country language classes.
“At times there is nothing worse than the feeling of not knowing how to communicate with the people in your community. Many of us decide to move to countries where we do not know the host country’s language. People can’t know every language spoken in this world, especially local languages that are not even possible to learn in universities in your home country…” READ MORE
12. A tour of your new campus
“Finally you are at your new school! After the initial shock of seeing the campus for the first time and getting introduced to tons of important people at the school, you take a deep breath and get ready to really see the campus…” READ MORE
13. Learning how to get reimbursed and meeting the business office staff
“It takes so much money to move yourself from one place to another. Now add in the fact that you are shipping boxes and whatnot halfway across the world, and the cost just gets higher and higher. Many times, international school teachers need to pay for these shipping costs upfront. Hopefully, you are getting a relocation allowance…” READ MORE
14. A sit-down with an admin to go over each part of your contract
“Contract details can be easily overlooked. They are not overlooked because you are not interested in them (because of course you want to know ALL the details when you are in the initial stages after being offered a contract), but because there are too many fine details to fully understand everything you see…” READ MORE
Do you have another must-have to add to our list? Email us here and ask about submitting a new article for this series as a guest author on our blog. All guest authors receive one free year of premium membership to our website!
Unlocking the Power of Data: A Must-Attend Conference for Educators
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, the significance of data in driving effective decision-making and enhancing student outcomes cannot be overstated. If you’re an educator passionate about leveraging data to transform your school, the Data in Schools Conference is an event you cannot afford to miss. Here’s why you should mark your calendar and secure your spot at this groundbreaking conference.
A Unique Gathering of Like-Minded Educators
The Data in Schools Conference is more than just a traditional conference—it’s a vibrant community of educators from around the globe, coming together to share insights, challenges, and successes related to data usage in schools. Originating from the need to connect professionals who use data to make informed decisions, the conference has quickly gained momentum, attracting participants from diverse educational backgrounds and geographies.
A Global Networking Opportunity
Image by Chris Smith
The inaugural conference, held at Singapore American School, saw an overwhelming response, with educators from 16 countries and 30 organizations coming together to delve into data-driven education. The event created a family reunion-like atmosphere, fostering meaningful relationships and collaborations. Following this success, the second conference at the International School of Amsterdam further cemented the event’s reputation, drawing 62 participants from 31 schools and 19 countries.
Attendees have consistently praised the conference for its unique blend of structured sessions and informal networking opportunities. The ability to connect with peers facing similar challenges and exploring similar solutions has been a highlight for many. Participants have left the conference feeling inspired, supported, and part of a broader, data-savvy educational community.
Insightful Keynotes and Hands-On Learning
Keynote speakers at the conference have delivered powerful messages that resonate deeply with attendees. Deputy Superintendent Jennifer Sparrow’s inspirational address on the “why” behind data-driven education set a compelling tone. Additionally, Matthew Savage, renowned for his work with the Mona Lisa Effect, shared real stories about students and data that resonated with all educators. His insights highlighted data’s profound impact on understanding and supporting individual students, reinforcing his strong support for Data in Schools.
In addition to keynote speeches, the conference features a variety of sessions designed to cater to different learning preferences. Short school showcase sessions, panel discussions, and unconference breakout sessions allow participants to delve into specific topics of interest. The case study component, involving real data from a real school, offers a practical, hands-on approach to understanding data workflows and applications.
Positive Feedback and Future Enhancements
The overwhelmingly positive feedback from past participants speaks volumes about the conference’s impact. A significant majority expressed interest in returning and recommending the event to colleagues. The call for more hands-on workshops and sessions targeting senior leadership is being addressed in future editions, ensuring the conference continues evolving and meeting its diverse audience’s needs.
Upcoming Conferences: Mark Your Calendars
The excitement continues with upcoming conferences already scheduled in various locations:
American Embassy School, Delhi: February 29th and March 1st, 2024
German European School Singapore: October 10th and 11th, 2024
Frankfurt International School: March 27th and 28th, 2025
University of Melbourne (Tentative): June 26th and 27th, 2025
These events promise to build on the success of previous conferences, offering even more opportunities for networking, learning, and collaboration.
Join Us and Transform Your School
Whether you’re a teacher, director, coach, or head of school, if you work in an educational setting or an organization related to international schools, this conference is designed for you. Apart from a modest “save my seat” fee, there’s no cost to attend, which goes towards evening social events. With sponsors like Intellischool, Consilience Learning, Lightspeed Systems, AppsEdu, Faria, and GL Learning on board, the conference offers a wealth of resources and insights, particularly for Google for Education schools.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of a dynamic and transformative event. Visit datainschools.org for more information and to register for the next conference. Join us in harnessing the power of data to create better educational environments and outcomes for students worldwide.
This article was submitted by guest author and ISC member Chris Smith, Co-Founder of Data in Schools.
10 Informative Member-Submitted Comments from September 2024
Our new blog series will review the most informed member-submitted comments from a specific month. This article looks at the ones submitted in September 2024.
We ask our members to submit comments that are detailed and full of useful information. With these informative comments submitted into our 71 comment topics about each school, ISC is the place to go to get the information you want, fast!
So here is the list for September 2024 that we thought stuck out as the most informative comments:
What are some local customs (regarding eating, drinking and going out, family, socializing, etc.) that you find interesting for expats to know about?
“Nigerians greet everyone. It is considered very rude to walk past a Nigerian in the hallway at school and not properly greet them, including asking them how their family is doing. Victoria Island is a bubble, so you can really isolate yourself from Nigerian culture if you want. Additionally, there are so many ethnic groups in Nigeria that describing their local customs in a monolith is pretty challenging…”
American International School of Lagos (80 total comments) in Lagos, Nigeria
Recent things that the school has taken on (i.e. new curriculum, specific professional development, etc.).
“This school year, we have implemented and rolled out a House System to build a stronger sense of community and promote student engagement. In this system, students and teachers are grouped into different “houses,” each competing in a variety of activities such as academics, sports, and extracurricular events. This school year, we have implemented and rolled out a House System to build a stronger sense of community and promote student engagement. In this system, students are grouped into different “houses,” each competing in a variety of activities such as academics, sports, and extracurricular events…”
American International School of Bucharest (85 total comments) in Bucharest, Romania
Describe the language abilities of students at this school and what is the “common language spoken in the hallways”. Is there one dominant cultural group?
“The common language used in this school is English. The school has an English-only policy, thus everyone uses English fluently in school. However, the students are mostly Korean…”
Seoul Academy International School (4 total comments) in Seoul, South Korea
Average monthly salary after taxes and in what currency (explain taxation situation). How often do you get paid throughout the year?
“A teacher without a TLR can expect to take home around 14-16,000 ringgit per month after tax, which includes housing allowances. In addition to this, the EPF (Malaysia’s retirement fund) plays a significant role in your overall package. Roughly 3,000 ringgit will be automatically deducted from your salary for EPF, but this is separate from the 14-16,000 ringgit mentioned earlier. The school also contributes about 11% of your salary into the EPF fund, with an annual interest rate of approximately 5-8%. When considering the overall package, especially with these contributions, it compares very favourably with other locations…”
Alice Smith School (121 total comments) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Describe what kinds of teachers work here (local vs. expat, qualifications [or lack there of], etc.) and staff turnover rate. Is there a native English speaker or nationality requirement? Is it LGBT friendly country/school?
“Teachers are mostly local hires (Ghanaian) but there is a host of expat teaching staff from the UK, America, Canada, India, the Caribbean, South Africa, Nigeria etc. Lessons are taught in English so you need to have a good command of the English language (both written and spoken). Ghana legally frowns upon the LGBT community…”
Ghana International School (47 total comments) in Accra, Ghana
What advice can you give on how to set things up like internet, phone, experience dealing with landlord, etc.?
“The main dealers are a company called AIS, all of their big outlets have English speaking staff and you can normally get set up within a week. Landlords are different according to where you live. Some good, perhaps some not so…”
Regents School Bangkok (45 total comments) in Bangkok, Thailand
Detailed info about lifestyles: singles vs. couples, gay vs. straight, nightlife vs. quiet and big city vs nature.
“Unfortunately being gay is not really accepted in the local community. However, there is a growing number of LGBTQI+ expats and most expats in general are quite accepting. Gay marriage is still illegal…”
Cedar International School (54 total comments) in Tortola, Virgin Islands, British
Health insurance and medical benefits. Describe your experiences using these benefits and going to the local hospitals.
“There is public health in Spain, however waiting times are long. Brewster offers private insurance as a benefit, which is not at all common in schools in Spain…”
Brewster Madrid (5 total comments) in Madrid, Spain
Average monthly salary after taxes and in what currency (explain taxation situation). How often do you get paid throughout the year?
“There is a salary review and a small bump after the first year. Foreign teachers still have the same salary as stated below. Be mindful as local teachers report that the social insurances has again not been paid…”
Utahloy International School (Zengcheng) (176 total comments) in Zengcheng, China
Describe the school’s location in relation to the city center and to the teacher’s housing. How do staff get to school before and after school?
“School is relatively easy to get into town (20 min on the train to Shinjuku). It is a 20 min walk to the station however. No housing allowance is offered, but there is a travel allowance…”
Aoba Japan International School (61 total comments) in Tokyo, Japan.