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Klatham
Joined: 16 Mar 2003 Posts: 1 Location: British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2003 2:42 am Post subject: Teaching abroad with a child in tow. |
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I'd appreciate any words of advice, stories, suggestions for teaching ESL abroad with a pre-school child in tow. My husband and I are considering this and we could either both teach p/t or one full-time or both - not sure. We're just looking for an opportunity to live abroad, expose ourselves and our child to a different culture and just make ends meet while we are doing so. We both have university degrees.
Thanks!
K from Canada. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2003 2:49 pm Post subject: child or children |
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So where can two adults and one child live off the salary of one EFL teacher ? Not in many places. The Middle East is one but many people throw up their hands in horror at the prospe ct of teaching here.
This is one of the few places I know where you can still find employers in EFL who pay a living wage. Some will even pay all or some of the costs of eductaing your children. |
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Roger
Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138
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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2003 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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A preschool kid is probably easier to handle in an alien environment than a primary school-age child.
However, in most countries you can just barely make both ends meet, which means you should have some savings for emergencies and health problems.
The older your child is the less likely he or she will adapt easily. CHildren bond with their peers, and separating them from their own age-group is painful for them.
Lastly, a TESL job is not generally stable. You will experience many adversities that you have to face differently. Your family might suffer too when pressure on you rises.
Housing could be a major irritant. In socialist countries, your employer normally accommodates you, and the housing is not always reasonably adequate. A Chinese flat might have a Chinese-style squat toilet and a shower nozzle mounted on the ceiling in the same room.
The benefit for your child may be that he or she can pick up the basis of a foreign language. The whole experience could also cement your family structure.
But you should consider it only if you have a safe haven to return to! |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
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Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2003 10:10 am Post subject: A child "in tow" |
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The way you put it makes it sound like your child is a burden. Is that the way you experience parenthood ? |
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Elaine
Joined: 21 Mar 2003 Posts: 1
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Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2003 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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Hi
I am teaching in China with my 18 month old daughter. I found getting her organised and settled was the easiest part of being in China. I a pay a nanny to look after my daughter and they adore each other. If you want to write to me at my email address I will give you more info.
[email protected] : |
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Bindair Dundat
Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2003 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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Something to think about: Go to a country (Korea comes to mind) where one of you can make money doing private teaching at home while the other holds down a full-time job. |
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