Job Discussion Forums

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

Any hints/tips on how to get hired as teachers as a married (or unmarried?) couple in China?

Him(me): Bilingual Californian (spanish = 2nd language)
Her: Bilingual Mexican (english = 2nd language)

I have a BA in World Languages and Cultures (Cal State Uni)
She has the "equivalent" in Social Anthropology (State Uni in Mexico)

She's also interested in doing do-gooder work. Any ideas, ya'all?

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Many employers prefer hiring couples because the employer would only have to provide one apartment rather than two. That said, I am very sure they also fear the risk of losing two FT's together if things don't go well or if something comes up. An example would be the couple from Texas who taught at CCNU this past term. The lady got preganant and they left together. It's a good thing that they did find the school a replacement and the number of courses that require FT's next term are fewer.

When you apply, simply mention that you are a couple and both of you would like to teach at the same place.

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

dialogger · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 419 Location: China

Another angle is to teach at 2 different schools.
Get the apartment from one and an accomodation allowance from the other.
At my last school we had a Filipina who from her accent must be 2nd language English. She was on her own so no package deal involved. If your lady has a US accent that can help as that is the preferred form. But just getting a foreign teacher who looks 'western' is probably the main concern for most recruiters/international offices of unis.
My advice is get talking to some schools. Don't underestimate your value as the recruiter is dealing with drunks, chip on shoulder types and other assorted misfits. Being stable and able to turn up to class and deliver are big pluses.

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

dialogger · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 419 Location: China

Good point from ESLStudies.
How far away is a US passport for your lady?

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

dialogger · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 419 Location: China

Mmmm...
I think you should start talking to schools.
The new semester has started and the international offices will be starting to think about who is staying on next year. It's a few months away but everything takes longer than you expect in PRC.
I know what others have said about source countries but China (if that's still a possibility for you) is - well China.
The way I see it Tier one unis have more 'pull' than the Tier 3 trade school/colleges. And every job ad is a 'wish list' whether in China or elsewhere. On the ground even if your partner can't get a regular hire there is so much language school work where few questions are asked.
However language school seems more weekend work just when you are getting your time off.
I found that on the ground things open up in a way that would be impossible to penetrate from out of country.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

danswayne · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 237

Last time I talked to someone in an Embassy or governmental type post anywhere (last month) if are gone for more than a year then the 3 year time period starts over again. I don't trust government employees too much, but I think I would listen to them first then a webste later.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

Many schools prefer this, as you both will tend to finish the contract together- 2 birds, 1 stone

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

Indeed, school prefer couples because it works out better for them. Savings on accommodations etc...

My wife and I worked for the same university (different departments) for 2 years and we would never do it again. Too many times have they used 1 against the other or claimed that 1 of us made a certain commitment when we didn't..

The upside is that it also gives more bargaining power because if things go amiss, they lose not 1 but 2 teachers..

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

One potential downside to be a couple would apply if you were working for a school such as a private training institute that did not have dedicated holidays. You may find it difficult to get time off at the same time. So if going the private training institute road then perhaps working at different schools is an advantage. You might also get the housing benefits for both that someone else mentioned above.

As far as mainstream schools and uni's with semester holidays couples are clearly preferred if there are two positions available so use that to your advantage when negotiating.