Job Discussion Forums

[Spectrum75]

I live in New York and my girlfriend in Montreal. We are trying to find jobs teaching English together. Each of us has a Bachelor's degree but no certificate. My command of English is much greater than hers, but friends of hers less proficient (she managed a hotel in an English-speaking province so she's pretty good) have taught younger kids in Japan. My questions are as follows:

Our goal is to live together. What is the viability of that happening? Do companies ever hire couples (though we're not married and are citzens of different countries)? One thought I had was if we get certified together we may be able to get jobs together.

We have been considering Japan, since it seems the highest paying/best jobs are there. I know Asia has plentiful opportunities, but when I consider places like Costa Rica (i love surfing) that seems attractive as well. My feeling is it would be more difficult to EACH secure a job in those places. Does anyone have any other suggestions as far as countries?

On a general note, I am a bit overwhelmed on how to go about this process. My funds are limited and but I am looking to get the process started ASAP. Do any companies pay for your certification or is that wishful thinking? Ideally I would like a company to pay airfare, secure an apt., etc. I guess we should decide where first, but the "where" will be dictated by possibility of us both landing jobs. General advice on how to go about searching is appreciated.

Btw, if you only want to answer one of these questions, thats cool too. Thanks so much!

[Guest]

I have only been in China for 15 months, but from what I can see Schools often PREFER couples as they tend to be more stable etc. etc.

We had a couple here who lived together and she was from Texas and he was from the U.K. They did not last the distance and did a midnight run after only a few months, however it served to prove that you can live together here (without being married) and not have a problem.

[Glenski]

In Japan, there are a few places that hire couples, usually married ones, and usually for teaching young children. Look for threads on MIL in the Japan forum.

Don't expect anyone to pay for your certification or airfare. There are some rare places that pay for airfare here, but I wouldn't count on it. Most will set up the apartment for you, though, so you wouldn't have to pay for the initial deposits.

Being certified, let alone certified "together", really won't make much of a difference in the world of conversation schools here. If you need it to give yourselves some training, then by all means get it, though.

Take a look at the Japan forum FAQs to answer some of your questions. And, read the FAQ on www.teachinginjapan.com . Also read the Teaching Guide links on www.eltnews.com .

[denise]

I know you mentioned Japan and Costa Rica, but if you look on the "international jobs" page here, you will see a job in Bolivia that specifically asks for a couple. (If it's not here, it'll be on www.tefl.com. I don't remember exactly where I saw it.)

d

[Quidamm]

Dude... let it go, trust your HP... It'll all work out just fine

[Gordon]

My wife and I (then girlfriend) started teaching together many years ago. We were hired overseas and got our plane ticket and accomodation provided. It was in Korea, not the worst place in the world, but you will save more money there than Japan, if that is your priority. They also need teachers more than in Japan, it seems. At the time, neither of us had expereince or certificate, just a BA. Keep looking.

[SaiBaba]

Lots of good advice above.

Because your low on cash your country options are probably limited to Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. I'm pretty sure the two of you could get hired together in a larger language school in Korea.

One word of advice. You might want to both apply through your address in the States and your gf probbaly shouldn't mention her first language on her resume.