Job Discussion Forums

Capergirl · Posted: Sun May 30, 2004 9:46 am Post subject: ESL Teachers Dating Teachers

It's about time we got away from the 'teachers dating students' topic, wouldn't you say? Laughing

So here is a new concept: ESL (or EFL) teachers dating other ESL (or EFL) teachers.

Jus curious...how many of you have dated/are dating/are married to a fellow ES/FL teacher?

The "significant other" I have mentioned in a few posts here is also an ESL teacher (like me). I think this is a great thing for many reasons, including the following:
1. We have mutual nomadic tendencies. There is no explanation required for my terminal wanderlust 'cause he has it, too.
2. We understand what each other does for a living (and why) and can even share ideas for the classroom.
3. He has lived in other countries and is a polyglot. (I just think it's cool to be a polyglot...I know, I'm a snob. Twisted Evil

)
4. He has many other qualities that I find are common to ES/FL teachers and that I appreciate: well-read, articulate, intelligent, interested in other languages, interested in other cultures, etc.

Oh, and did I happen to mention that he's a regular here on Dave's? Wink

Teacher Lindsay · Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 393 Location: Luxian, Sichuan

Hector_Lector · Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Posts: 548

Lindsay the Plonker returns.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Not sure if this counts, but my girlfriend (now wife) and I went overseas together and taught at the same school in Korea. We both share a lot of the same interests and passions. Since that time (1995) I've been the only teacher in the family, she has the more important job of raising our daughter.

Capergirl, just curious, did you and your boyfriend meet because of Dave's or did you get him hooked here too?

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Not sure what TEFL/TESL has to do with 'wanderlust' or being 'nomadic'. You can be an English teacher and happily stay in the country of your birth for all your life, and even marry a fellow English teacher.

But, to satisfy your query: there does seem to be a certain attraction to other TEFL teachers - mainly local ones.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

Personally, I wouldn't date anyone working at teh same school as me. The fun and games that result if you break up and still have to work together just isn't worth it. However, someone working at a different school is ok.

Aramas · Posted: Sun May 30, 2004 2:34 pm Post subject:

You mean touch each other and stuff? Shocked

That's disgusting! You'll all burn in hell! Twisted Evil

Capergirl · Posted: Sun May 30, 2004 3:39 pm Post subject:

Guest · Posted: Sun May 30, 2004 7:27 pm Post subject:

I have never thought it was a good idea to "date" someone you work with. I was in the same job for 25 years before coming to China and I had plenty of opportunities to date fellow employees but I resisted due to the fact that when it all hit the fan, one of you would feel compelled to leave.

It would be even more awkward here, where you are both contracted to the same School for a specific amount of time.

Good luck with the relationship though and I hope it all works out well.

foster · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 485 Location: Honkers, SARS

I agree that teachers, whether ESL or 'regular' teachers tend to be drawn to each other...similar mindsets, holidays etc...

I do agree that I would never date anyone in the same school as me. It would get ugly quick I think...

Hum....just a question, but wasn't this discussed at length during THIS thread???

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=10024&highlight=teachers+dating+teachers

Not to attack Capergirl for strating this post, but I thought it seemed familiar.

Will. · Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 783 Location: London Uk

Although sharing a language and a the same job and possessing a similar background are sought after things of importance for teachers while working abroad. Let's be honest would you date the same person if you were in your home town? Many relationships are on the 'partners in adversity' basis. I find my interest aroused more by someone from the culture I am visiting. The hard part is finding a teacher without an attitude. We are all so self opinionated that the last thing I want to do at the end of a busy week in schgool is go out with a person, or group of people, from the same school. All we do is talk shop.

Capergirl · Posted: Mon May 31, 2004 8:39 am Post subject:

zaneth · Posted: Mon May 31, 2004 4:47 pm Post subject:

Isn't anybody going to ask who it is? Ok, I'll bite. Who is it?

Good luck Capers, we'll miss you. But good to move on. Time and a place for everything and all that. On to the next stage.