Job Discussion Forums

[jaytee]

I know that this question has been asked before, but I never bothered to take any notice of it previously.
The following question was recently brought before me and I wasn't sure of the most appropriate answer.
What is the general consensus on traveling to another country with a friend, either same sex or opposite, to teach esl, and what is the general ruling on teaching with a partner, whether you are married or not?
If, theoretically, any of the above is possible, is it likely that a job could be found where the school would be happy to hire 2 people with conflicting interests?
And finally, regardless of laws or rules applying to the aforementioned issue, what is your opinion on the matter?
I am interested to hear people's thoughts and apologies if I am asking a question that has been brought to the forum a million times before.

[Gordon]

Wel you will have very different responses if you're expecting to find work and room with a friend or a "friend". 2 rooms or 1? Some countries frown on unmarried couples living together. Of course, the school can save money by having a couple share an apt rather than finding and furnishing (at times) 2 apts. Often 2 people are more stable than a single individual as well. It really depends.

What do you mean by

[dyak]

If you trawl through ELT jobs you do see one or two that actually encourage couples to apply. I saw one yesterday but i can't remember where.

I know the implied meaning of a 'couple' has quite a wide scope these days, but, as Gordon said, it should be culturally acceptable to the host country.

[jaytee]

Thanks for your responses; I suspected that it would vary from school to school.
What I meant by 'conflicting interests', was the same as if two people are seeing each other in an office, the boss isn't going to like this because he would be concerned that the employees are more interested in each other than their work.
As was said, everywhere is different and jobs for couples are seen on occasions, have you noticed a pattern between countries? For example, China might frown upon unmarried couples, whereas Thailand may not be concerned.

[/quote]

[Girl Scout]

I work in Taiwan with my husband. We both work at the same school. The school I work at often hires couples, married or not. I have met many couples working here. There seems to be no trouble with the boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. My boss sees hiring a couple as a good risk.

[Magoo]

I've never heard of a Chinese school getting sniffy about unmarried couples living together. Even Chinese university students are doing it, now! My (Chinese) wife and I lived together for several months before jumping the broom, yet the only problem was my boss, who was against foreigners marrying Chinese women, racist plick. It would be a good idea to at least say to your students that you are married. Same sex? Just say that you're old friends and don't mind sharing .

[vre]

In Turkey the majority of language schools/ unis/ colleges etc. don't mind at all. It may make paperwork slightly easier if you are married but it doesn't matter if you're not married (maybe it would be slightly different in the really small conservative places). In fact, some places also like to hire couples for the same reasons mentioned in previous posts.

[nolefan]

Most of the adds I've seen for Japan, Korea and China usually mention "couples preferred". My wife and I teach at the same university in China and we have not had any problems or issues. If anything, the school seems to take pride in the fact that they have a married couple teacing for them.

I'll be honest and mention that sometimes, it can be hard to deal with the constant interaction and the monotony of having the same job at the same school. There are times when both of us need time apart and I just hit the road for a few days and come back refreshed and ready for another round.

[Glenski]

[VanKen]

[Deconstructor]