I've been sitting around in Thailand for some weeks now, being unable to get back to my teaching job in Myanmar because the junta guys have suspended the issue of business visas. So I can't enter the country!

The new school term starts next Monday and my employer knows that I will not teach online for them (because their online pay rate is much less than what I currently receive for my private student online teaching). The outcome of this is that unless the junta suddenly issue the visa (99% unlikely), I will cease employment with my school in Myanmar.

I do have 4 other job offers from schools in Myanmar, but they are also 'stuffed' by the visa situation.

So I just looked around for other job opportunities outside of Myanmar. I prefer not to work in Thailand because it messes up my 'retirement' visa (I have to change it to a business visa).

Berkeley Int. School is urgently looking for an iGCSE Physics teacher, (which I am). I have an online interview with them next Monday and would like to ask if anyone has experience or knowledge (good and bad) about this school.

Thanks - Simon

Dont bother. Not a great environment to work in. Staff turnover is very high from top to bottom.

Ah, ELT. I did a quick post search and I haven't found any posts yet that sing their praises, but plenty that do the opposite. Has anyone have good things to say about this school?

Well, I had my Zoom interview and all seemed to go well. I did check the old posts about ELT, and I do need to check for other reviews (if they exist).

No news yet from Myanmar - the school had to postpone the start of its new term because so many teachers are 'stuck' in Thailand.

Now to add to the party, an international school in Thailand is keen for me to join them as a primary science teacher. Choices, choices. (Or I could just continue what I'm doing right now - teaching online - and get a similar or higher income than what is offered by these B&M schools I get more time sitting on the beach as well!).

simon43 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 17, 2022 6:43 pm Well, I had my Zoom interview and all seemed to go well. I did check the old posts about ELT, and I do need to check for other reviews (if they exist).

No news yet from Myanmar - the school had to postpone the start of its new term because so many teachers are 'stuck' in Thailand.

Now to add to the party, an international school in Thailand is keen for me to join them as a primary science teacher. Choices, choices. (Or I could just continue what I'm doing right now - teaching online - and get a similar or higher income than what is offered by these B&M schools I get more time sitting on the beach as well!).

Have you managed to work out yet how to successfully negotiate and enjoy a stress free coconut and a deck chair in Thailand.

John Bingham wrote: ↑Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:42 pm

simon43 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 17, 2022 6:43 pm ...Or I could just continue what I'm doing right now - teaching online - and get a similar or higher income than what is offered by these B&M schools I get more time sitting on the beach as well!

Well I think you answered that question yourself!

Not really. Using a computer for so many hours each day is not healthy for one's eyesight. By splitting my time between online and in-class teaching, I have a chance to rest my eyes AND my total monthly income will increase by about 30%. The money is not the main motivator - it's concern for my eyes really

Cowshed Cowboy wrote: ↑Tue Oct 18, 2022 8:36 am

simon43 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 17, 2022 6:43 pm Well, I had my Zoom interview and all seemed to go well. I did check the old posts about ELT, and I do need to check for other reviews (if they exist).

No news yet from Myanmar - the school had to postpone the start of its new term because so many teachers are 'stuck' in Thailand.

Now to add to the party, an international school in Thailand is keen for me to join them as a primary science teacher. Choices, choices. (Or I could just continue what I'm doing right now - teaching online - and get a similar or higher income than what is offered by these B&M schools I get more time sitting on the beach as well!).

Have you managed to work out yet how to successfully negotiate and enjoy a stress free coconut and a deck chair in Thailand.

Yes! Well, I worked out how not to get stressed by that situation. I don't buy any more coconuts and I don't rent their deckchairs

Anyway, after careful thought, I politely declined their job offer. The salary on offer was lower than my other offers, but the main reason for declining their offer was because I could not for the life of me find a single good review or good comment about this school or ELT. I understand that people are more likely to post if they are unhappy, but I was hoping to find at least 1 or 2 good reviews. But nope, nothing at all, and that's important because I would need to relocate from Thailand to take up this new position.