We would appreciate any input from teachers to help us in this major upgrade project.
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Golden Rules.

(1) Have your contract examined by a legal advisor before accepting
(2) Read the pages relating to Recruiters - play safe - the Recruiter will not be your employer
(3) Always advise your embassy of your address
(4) Have enough cash/credit to be able to leave urgently
(5) If you have any fears or problems, e-mail us or use our Forums
(6) Read the approved Contract on TESOL Law Journal
(7) Be aware of Recruiting Scams asking for money

Some issues to consider on your future contract

If you are applying from within the country of employment, you have the advantage of meeting the school/institution owner and discussing any provisions of the contract you have been presented. Determine that the person you are negotiating with does in fact have authority to represent the institution and that contractual arrangements will be binding; (e.g. some universities leave the interview to western teachers on their staff. Though they may make promises, they are not in a position to legally bind their employer.) The key areas you will be discussing are:-
(a) monthly wage
(b) hours worked and when and what constitutes an 'hour'
(c) holiday and annual leave provisions
(d) health insurance and deductions
(e) accommodation
(f) contract length
(g) any other salary deductions
(h) pension contribution and return of said pension contribution at the end of contract
(i) accommodation.

As noted above, some institutions have fixed non negotiable contracts. If you do nevertheless, negotiate a change, confirm it is written into both English and local language versions of the contract. Oral agreements can be forgotten or explained as a miscommunication. Then do check the local version mirrors the English version.