Job Discussion Forums

[marleymg]

Hi, I thought I would try the newbie forum first as I am a newbie. Here's my question with some info about our situation. My husband and I are looking into leaving Canada (Mission BC) to teach english in another country. We have a 5 year old daughter who will be six almost seven when we leave. We are planning on leaving in Sept. 2009.
My husband has an BA in English and he is TESL certified. I have a diploma in Social Services and I currently work with women in transion houses. Will I be able to teach without a degree, or should I get some kind of TESL training? I have worked with children in the Canadian public school system as a TA.
Where should we look into going so that our daughter has access to education that we can afford. Right now we are discussing China or Saudi Arabia. Any suggestions? I know sometimes people think children should not be brought overseas to live but we have thought this through for many years and our daughter is a very adaptable little one. She has already travelled extensivly, our last trip being to India for 2 months.
Any answers or advice would be so appreciated.
Thanks

[Anda]

In general here in Asia they want a four year University degree in anything. Many are asking for two years or more of teaching experience. There are plenty teaching in China that have young kids in tow. An English teaching certificate is a help when getting a job but you are better off doing it here in China as it is cheaper and the teaching is more suited to local conditions.
I wouldn�t be thinking of the Middle East as your daughter would be expected to dress the same as the local kids plus be looked on as strange if she doesn�t take part in their religion. Anyway I think we will have a very different world in two years time.

[spiral78]

Further the ME, I think the better jobs will require more specific qualifications. MA TESL/TEFL or Applied Linguistics + experience is the norm, I believe.

[sweeney66]

Just a thought, perhaps going through an NGO could get you a dual placement, him teaching and you doing social work? I don't know if VSO allows you to bring a child, but they offer a living allowance in country and an end-of-service grant. By the way, one of my few regrets in life is that I waited till my daughter was grown before going abroad. I really wish I had shared all these wonderful experiences with her when she was small! I admire your thinking on this issue, good luck!

[marleymg]

Thank you very much for the replies. They were very helpful. I will definetly look into an NGO, I hadn't thought of that before. Thanks again!