Job Discussion Forums

adam&helen · Joined: 13 Nov 2005 Posts: 1

I am thinking of working abroad for about a year with my girlfriend, and was wondering what qualifications we will need. We both have degrees, would we need a TEFL (or TESOL??) if we wanted to teach? What are the options for other work, teaching seems to be the only obvious thing we can think of.

We are not totally sure where we want to go, we have thought about Asia mainly because it is such a different culture. Are there any cool places people can recomend?

We appreciate any advice that you can give, we are currently living in Wales and need to get out, like now (no offence Welshies Very Happy

)

Adam&Helen

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 10:23 pm Post subject:

Maybe you should browse through the Newbie forum to get a handle on the biz. If you're interested in a partcular country, read the forum. Just about everything you're asking has been addressed numerous times on the forums here, so you may not get many replies.

If you guys want a couples position, I'd recommend Korea. Never been there but I see ads for couples all the time. Go check out the Korean Job Board and see what's available.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

For the most part, you need a degree to get a work visa. Nothing more is absolutely required to land the job.

However, if your degrees and background are not education-related, you might get some benefit from a TEFL course, especially if you plan to be at this for more than a year.

For news on Japan, I can recommend a couple of places that sometimes cater to hiring couples, but nothing is ever guaranteed.

winterlynx1 · Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 1:22 pm Post subject: Couples work

Reporting from central China - you're fine with the qualifications that you have right now for this part of the world. A TESOL course can help. On the other hand, if you get in with a good school you'll get on-the-job training that is equivalent. If you decide you'd like to do this sort of thing for a few years, then you can consider specific training. But, having a degree is an excellent start and you can go with that in my books. There is certainly work for couples here.

It is important to connect with a good school - there's quite a range of 'quality' so you are well advised to research carefully, get references and ask lots of questions. I've had a really good experience, but others have a tough go.

You won't get rich working in China, but you can live very comfortably and see lots of incredible stuff. If you can adapt to a different culture, the people in my part of the country are very, very friendly. Most of the children are delightful.

Email me if you like.