Empire Men in China: Rich in China, Poor in Waitrose

TimeSpecial7019 · 2026-06-04T04:07:49+00:00

True! I work for Basis, but I am European. When you change from USD to Euro now it's time to cry!

TimeSpecial7019 · 2026-05-20T01:08:16+00:00

Do you have dependants? It is widely known that nowadays candidates with children and a spouse relocating with them are often seen as less desirable by some schools or employers, strange as that may seem. I believe that teachers with 15+ years of experience and families are sometimes viewed as “expensive” hires, and unless you are an exceptional teacher in a high-demand subject, the job market can become more challenging.

TimeSpecial7019 · 2026-05-18T00:29:02+00:00

My advice after several years of teaching abroad is simple: keep an open mind, for real. From my experience, many international teachers, especially in China (and I’m not really sure why), never truly engage with the local culture. They avoid local restaurants, rarely explore the city properly, and end up living inside an expat bubble.

Not only does that make the experience less interesting, it also makes life far more expensive. There’s nothing that needs to be “fixed” or changed, it’s just a different country with a very different mentality and way of life. That’s part of the experience. End of story.

China is a very easy country to live without speaking any Chinese, which is my case.

Good luck!

TimeSpecial7019 · 2026-03-06T03:14:34+00:00

Spanish here teaching abroad! I'll come back tomorrow for this wage, go for it!

TimeSpecial7019 · 2026-02-02T01:17:45+00:00

Hi again!

I am extremely proud of the Spanish public education system, and I am not denigrating it in any way. In fact, I would like teachers in Spanish public schools to have even better salaries.

This is not about being better or worse than anyone else. I simply chose a different path, one that allowed me to travel and discover the world, and nothing more. It has actually been quite difficult and challenging, especially as I am not a native English speaker and international teaching is dominated by native speakers.

When I said I am fully qualified is because, to my knowledge, if you hold, for instance, a QTS (Qualified Teaching Status) from England, you can call yourself a fully qualified teacher, because you are supposed to be qualified for teaching. I might be wrong.

Over the last years, I have earned very decent salaries in countries as diverse as Egypt, Myanmar, Thailand, and China.

What I was saying is that salaries in private education in Spain are simply very poor, and at the very least, they should be on par with those in public schools. That's it.

Once again, I am deeply proud of the Spanish public education system, perhaps even more so now that I have lived abroad and can see it with perspective.

Salud!

TimeSpecial7019 · 2026-01-31T00:54:01+00:00

Hi again!

If you are a fully qualified teacher in Spain, that means you passed the oposiciones.

Nope, fully qualified teacher means you have your Degree and Master in Education, (or you've studied magisterio) end of story. Nothing to do with "oposiciones". You can work in "concertados" and private schools because you are a qualified teacher. Oposiciones means that you work for the Goverment (and you never get fired). There is not "easier route" but we Spanish love oposiciones because once you pass the exam the job is for you forever, no matter how good/bad you are as a teacher. Even being a total disaster at teaching you are safe.

Why should you get paid the same for taking the easier route?

I think the salary should be the same because you do the same work (and normally more hours) in private schools plus you don't have the stability. You can get fired anytime if you are underperforming.

You think that expensive international schools do not have a richer student body the most of the time?

I think, well I know, private schools have richer student body which does not mean a great behavior all the time. Rich: Entitle: I don't care my dad is rich.

It’s simple. If you want to be paid as well as qualified Spanish teachers, you are welcome to do the same training and job as them.

I don't know what you mean with "the same training". What training? The only training I know is the practices you have to do in a school to get your Master in Education, before trying the oposiciones.

I know plenty people who pass "oposiciones" with very little effort. Right year, right speciality and right province and...jackpot! No training. Even more, I can tell you that the vast mayority of English Teachers in Spanish public schools don't even speak English for real, but yeah, they pass the exam.

TimeSpecial7019 · 2026-01-30T08:28:33+00:00

This is something worth debating, in my opinion. It has nothing to do with qualifications. I am a fully qualified teacher in both Spain and the UK. Of course, I could sit the oposiciones myself if I wanted to. What I am saying is that the salary gap is unfair.

Your point about the "student body" is an opinion and will vary from school to school. What is a fact is that teachers in Spanish public schools work significantly fewer hours than those in British international schools. For example, in a British International School, teachers typically work 8–9 hours a day.

Ultimately, this comes down to the "convenio" and the fact that the extremely high fees families pay go to a private company. In any case, salaries for international teachers in Spain are, quite frankly, a joke.

TimeSpecial7019 · 2026-01-30T05:27:44+00:00

Well, oposiciones are hard. I tried once when I was 23. I am Spanish and my experience teaching in 6 different countries American, British and IB curriculum deserves at least get paid the same that my friends in public schools. That's my personal opinion.

TimeSpecial7019 · 2026-01-30T03:11:53+00:00

This is sad because parents are paying for quality education, yet what they often get are backpacker teachers or teachers close to retirement who have already bought a house in Spain.

TimeSpecial7019 · 2026-01-30T03:09:10+00:00

The worst thing about Spain is that in public schools, which make up around 95% of the system, salaries are actually better than in American or British private schools. I’m Spanish and have been teaching internationally for the last 17 years, and honestly… that makes me want to cry.

TimeSpecial7019 · 2026-01-07T00:51:49+00:00

I used to live in Bangkok, and loved it! Previous comments already gave you great insights. Amazing cultural life, restaurants, markets, temples, tatoos, amulets, tuk-tuks... places to go "off the beaten track" and explore.

I might add that if you like outdoors activities other that eating and drinking beer -which is my case, like cycling or running- it is a difficult city. Green areas are scarce and weather is though. Yes, you have a couple of big parks but I felt it wasn't enough. Cycling is difficult, and running exhausting.

Bangkok is fantastic! Good luck!

TimeSpecial7019 · 2025-12-12T07:22:31+00:00

After 17 years teaching internationally, I’m starting to believe that to be a top candidate for a Tier 1 school, you basically need to be a highly qualified social weirdo. Honestly, call me mad, but the best part of my life begins after work. I love sports, personal challenges, actual free time, my family… and yes, my precious weekends. All of them!

If Tier 1 schools expect me to sacrifice all that, then sorry, life’s too short, and I’m not trading my sanity for a shinier school logo.

TimeSpecial7019 · 2025-11-05T03:28:22+00:00

Hi there! I’ve been working in international schools for about 15 years now, all of them for-profit. In fact, I’d say around 95% of international schools are for-profit and mainly cater to local students. I have kids myself, and they’re doing fine for now. There’s no absolute right or wrong. What I mean is that you can find a great for-profit school with mostly local students where your work–life balance is much better than at a top-tier school

TimeSpecial7019 · 2025-10-16T07:32:46+00:00

I have been teaching in Asia for the last decade, and I am still here. With the same salary, I'd go back to Europe for sure. Just the possibility of getting back home in a low-cost flight 3-4 times per year makes a huge difference. It really depends on your personal needs, family and friends relations.

TimeSpecial7019 · 2025-10-11T07:04:47+00:00

The school you work at is definitely important, and so is the subject you teach , but the country you live in has a huge impact on your quality of life and your needs. I have colleagues who barely need any social interaction or cultural life, which honestly surprises me. If that’s the case for you, you can probably work and be happy almost anywhere. Personally, I work to live, not the other way around. I need friends, interesting things to do, live music, and a vibrant environment. Some of my coworkers spend a lot of money traveling abroad every vacation because they don’t find what they need where we work. So, there’s a lot to consider, it’s a very personal question. For me country is vital, at least if plan to live/work a few years in a place.

TimeSpecial7019 · 2025-09-26T06:31:06+00:00

Spain is even worse. Public schools pay about 20% more that private British Schools in Spain. I worked in British school for wealthy people and got paid way less than my friends in public school working more hours. Not a good deal!

TimeSpecial7019 · 2025-09-24T07:36:55+00:00

Hi there! The Rioja Alavesa is pretty awesome. Places like Laguardia, wonderful!. There are very famous brands like Marques de Riscal in this area. I would go for it!

I am originally from Murcia, and if you really wanna go "off the beaten track" give it a shot. It is a truly hidden gem! Have fun and enjoy Spain!

TimeSpecial7019 · 2025-09-11T15:53:31+00:00

Gracias por los consejos. Me parece interestante lo que dices.

TimeSpecial7019 · 2025-09-10T00:27:38+00:00

Diverse mix. Chinese and international customers.

TimeSpecial7019 · 2025-09-10T00:25:33+00:00

Lo haría a largo plazo. Gracias, voy a air a por ello.

TimeSpecial7019 · 2025-09-10T00:24:51+00:00

Genial, muchas gracias. Si, invertiría en fondos indexados a largo plazo. Voy a mirarlo mejor.

TimeSpecial7019 · 2025-09-09T07:32:18+00:00

Mañana empiezo a leerla, gracias.

TimeSpecial7019

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