Job Discussion Forums

Born Sleepy · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 9:41 am Post subject: Where in the world?

Hello there. I would be grateful for any suggestions please.

Have just passed my CELTA, UK national, graduate, 10 years business experience, married with 2 very young children. Is there anywhere in the world where I might be able to find teaching work, where my wife (a nurse) would also be able to work, which has a pleasant climate and is a good place to raise children (i.e. is safe, has reasonable education system etc.).

This is probably Never Never Land but thought I would ask.

Thanks

BluePinay · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 5:19 pm Post subject:

For me, its New Zealand. Mr. Green

badtyndale · Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 181 Location: In the tool shed

First of all, like any other occupation, job experience will count in your favour amongst reputable employers. So if teaching is not your 'business' I'd advise you to consider a little part-time work before taking any plunges. This is just common sense.

I would say, as far as SE Asia is concerned, that Never Never Land is possibly to be found on the Malaysian peninsular. However, teaching positions are not overly abundant there because English is quite widely spoken. The climate is pleasant - in my opinion - but heat and humidity aren't everyone's cup of tea. The health service is fairly well-developed and there may be opportunities for your better half. It is a safe country but there are isolated pockets of unrest - c.f. SE London. Alternatively, off the south coast is Singapore which is comparable to any modern Western metropolitan centre. Then again... it might be a bit boring (at least that's what my Singaporean friends have said).

Do some homework. Good luck with your search!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Costa Rica

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

I think I have seen jobs advertised in the United Arab Emirates (on tefl.com) which give subsidies for children. Your wife should also be able to find work easily enough as a nurse. I have never been. Check out the middle east forum.

Born Sleepy · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 10:08 am Post subject: Thank you

for your replies. Some interesting suggestions made which I will certainly be investigating.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I am not sure whether you qualify for a posting in Hong Kong; your wife might be able to secure a nursing job here, though. Ditto for MACAU! They both are desperate to hire dependable professional nurses! Teaching is less glamorous in Macau, though!
FOrget about mainland China! Not suitable for your family, and your wife might never get a job in her occupation.

Have you thought of Indonesia? To me, that might be an almost IDEAL destination - nice climate year round, teaching confers some prestige on you, and nursing is an option, I believe.

fragganika · Joined: 12 Dec 2004 Posts: 60 Location: North American

Japan is very safe and really cush! My friend just came back from doing JET http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/jet/

They set her up with housing & paid 1/2 the rent, she got a bonus at the end of the year, and made a yearly salary in US $ of about 33K.

It's really competitive, but you seem to have competitive worthy qualifications. Your wife could also apply... and I think they might have a spousal supplement.

Germany, too, has something similar, as does France.

Now, if you want a messy, sexy, anything-can-happen experience, go where I went the first time - Brazil http://www.mgt.com.br/icbeu/

I had a load of trouble with them, so why would I recommend? Well, I also loved Brazil itself. It was warm. It was inviting. The language is beautiful. And I'm marrying one of the only Brazilians on Earth who refuses to move the U.S... for ideological reasons nontheless... so that makes me all the happier to move to his ancestral Italy with him Wink

AsiaTraveller · Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 6:05 pm Post subject:

Don't limit yourself to the typical entry-level "English teacher" positions at conversation schools or other franchises.

Feel free to PM me to tell me about your 10 years of business experience. There's no reason you shouldn't use that experience, together with your new CELTA, to offer corporate training in a variety of situations in many countries. Your wife could then be free to practise nursing in places that actually have good jobs.

Twisting in the Wind · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 571 Location: Purgatory

The Los Angeles Times recently ran a feature article on Singapore as a welcoming place for dual-career families in the sciences. Not sure if that would work for your particular situation but worth checking into. Clean; safe; child-friendly; available, affordable daycare, etc....

Twisting in the Wind · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 571 Location: Purgatory

I tried to get you the link to the article to post it here, but couldn't. Type in LATimes.com.

Then type in Singapore in the field under "Archives." A number of titles will pop up. It's the fourth or fifth one, I believe--something to do with "Couple in the sciences moves from Cal Tech (Pasadena, California) to Singapore"
The stupid paper makes you PAY for the article, so if you'd like to read it, gotta give them your credit card #. It might be worth it, tho, as I remember it being very informative with names and places, etc. Good luck!