Secondary School Teachers - Advice needed please!!

[NickyParry]

Hi,

I'm Nicky, 28, from the UK. Im really hoping to find a secondary school teaching position for next September. This is my 5th year in teaching and at the moment I'm Head of Music (although I wouldn't mind just 'music teacher'). Ideally I want to be teaching in an International School. I also don't mind if it's not a british curriculum. I have also signed up to a couple of international teaching agencies (AXIS and Search Associates). Is there anyone who could give me advice as to how they found their teaching placement?

I have been told that trying to get a music job can be quite fierce....would it be possible for me to be taken on as an English teacher? (even though my degree is in Music). I'd love more information on how the school day works, times, extra curricular, the students, how they differ from british students. Also I'd be very interested to know what the 'norm' package is for secondary school teachers, salary, accomodation etc....

I am also getting very mixed advice about the actual living in Singapore. It's got to be better than living in England surely?? I'm pretty sure it's what you make of it, but any advice would be gratefully recieved!

Thanks,

Nicky

[beppi]

Secondary school teachers at local schools here earn about S$2500-3500/month.
If you rent an apartment all by yourself (which costs at least S$2000), you'll not have much left to live on. You might want to rent just a room (sublet) in that case.

If this is not an option, it rules out 90% of the schools here. Private schools pay more and might even consider an "Expat" package if they really need you, but as you said such jobs are not easy to find.

Live is not better here than in Europe, just different.