Job Discussion Forums

[creeper1]

What an absolute mess. This is one of the most tragic threads I've read on here.

I geniunely hope you get over your depression. Horrible affliction that it is.

Thats the problem with us TEFLers. We get in this too long and find ourselves unemployable elsewhere.

If its worth anything I think 90 per cent of us wouldn't be able to do the ass wiping you currently do so it shows you have some determination and drive.

There is no easy solution to your problem. I see difficulty in either path you decide to go down.

All I can say is stay strong man.

[naturegirl321]

I'm in Korea raising a child. I thought about going back to china. For me a BIG part of it is having a support network. I'm a single mom so I don't have to worry about what my other half wants. I thought about going the intl school route again but decided against it.

I will say this though speaking from experience, if you do move abroad your wife has to support your decision 110%.

For daycare you might be able to bargain especially in an English one that's full of Chinese kids. Baby food is super easy to save money on. Just breastfeed. Cheap and no mess no fuss.

[AussieGus]

Australia is the root of my depression.

Creeper1 is right. Once you've been a TEFLer for long enough you really can't go back. In Korea I got nearly job I applied for. I suspect this would be the case in China as well. Jobs I actually want, mind you.

In Australia it was incredibly difficult to even get a job as an ass wiper in a nursing home. Fat lot of good my degree, TESOL and Korean experience is. Anglo Australians must be the only people on earth who discriminate against their own kind. Indeed political correctness is so out of control here that if I painted myself black I'd have a better chance of getting a decent job.

If I sound bitter that's because I am. F*** Australia.

[Javelin of Radiance]

Keep at 'er aussiegus, get a plan together, get your wife to agree to it and move forward.

I know of one man who moved to China without his family, got himself established here, then his wife and two kids came over. The move was easier for his family as they could just move in since he had already dealt with the hassles of setting up here in China on his own. Obviously this can't work for everyone but it sounds like you should investigate all options. I really do wish you good luck.

[AussieGus]

Thanks Javelin.

I was thinking the same thing. To arrive with a wife and two kids and try to establish myself would be a nightmare. Have a couple of questions regarding that suggestion.

Would it be feasible to arrive on a tourist visa in the place (possibly Dalian) most conducive to the lifestyle I want for myself and my family, find an apartment, furnish it and then look for a job?

How much savings would you need to do just that?

[direshark]

[AussieGus]

I got accepted into a Masters in Sociology/International relations a couple of years ago but didn't go through with it. Why? There's no money in it unless I got real lucky and I couldn't see the point. I have a real passion for studying social systems, cultures, customs and how humans impose themselves on their environments but that won't support my family. In China teaching ESL I get to be an amateur Sinologist.

There are many highly qualified people washing cars or backsides in Australia and some who can't find a job at all. Getting more pieces of paper ain't gonna do much.

[Babala]

How does your wife feel about Dalian? Would this be her preference to live in? Have you ever considered Hong Kong which is way more modern and westernized that may suit your wife a bit better?

[bestteacher2012]

[AussieGus]

I've considered Hong Kong but my wife may have issues living there as she's a mainlander.

It would have many advantages but they would be negated by the fact that I've heard that it might be difficult to get a job. Apparently you need similar credentials to teach in Hong Kong as Australia. The last thing I want is to go anywhere where I might not find a job!

[Songbird]

I don't have a lot of advice for you AussieGus other than that I really feel for you. And I fear this exact same thing will happen to me if/ when I ever have to head back to Oz. I've been in China now for almost 10 years and I know just how hard it will be to head back. Even now I go back every summer- and I always look forward to getting back on the plane to China!

You're right about the whole qualifications thing. Heck, in Australia today you need a qualification just to HAVE a qualification! I guess location is a big factor too, I don't know how mobile you could be with a family though. I'm from QLD, home of the lazy bludgers who prefer a life of unopportunity on Centrelink and if you can get a job it's usually casual with no benefits like holidays! The last job I had in Australia was working casual at various childcare centres back in 2004, sitting by the phone at 6am every morning for possible work! I am not a qualified teacher, but am now working at an international school in China working towards IB status (and thus the school giving us training opportunities). I have also been put in charge of the academic side of setting up an English library at the school. I hope this will look good on my resume later, again, with no qualifications in this other than a CELTA and MA Linguistics! If you can find opportunities like this in China it will make life more fulfilling.

This summer I'm heading to Melbourne for a week. Never been before, and don't have plans to head back permanently anytime soon, but I thought I'd go suss out what could be opportunities there (and squeeze in an afternoon of 'Wicked'!).

Have you thought about looking into teaching English at the refugee centres? How about Christmas Island and other islands off Oz? I don't know how to break into that myself unfortunately.

[AussieGus]

G'day Songbird.

Thanks for your support. Appreciated. I've got some critical advice for your life now. Don't do it! DO NOT return to Australia until your ready to retire. At that point our wonderful medical and welfare system might be useful. Had I known what life has become here I would never have come back. Its no longer our country. I had to do an intensive two month Certificate III in Aged Care (Certificate III in Wiping bums), including a one month unpaid placement. Even then I struggle to get any shifts because recent immigrants, mostly from China and India have cut Anglo's out of the market. Nothing against them, my wife's one, but employers recognise their superior work ethic compared to Anglo Aussies (because they're desperate to stay here and aren't yet eligible for welfare). They always get precedence especially because most of the employers are recent immigrants themselves. They usually have nothing but contempt for locals. I can't even get much work wiping bums in this utopia of ours.

Its ironic that Australia has such a generous welfare system. The reason for that is pragmatic, they make it so difficult to get a job! Even a menial job is often unattainable without references and relevant experience therefore many have no choice but to live on Centrelink. If they cut them off welfare it wouldn't be safe to walk the streets anymore.

Its not a good state of affairs here. Can't wait to get to China!

Teaching at a refugee centre isn't an option. As usual you need a Dip Ed at the very least to be even considered.

[LarssonCrew]

Wow it's ironic. Indian's and Chinese go abroad and work hard, and yet the Chinese IN China are the laziest, least productive people I have ever seen.

[fat_chris]

[NoBillyNO]