Job Discussion Forums

[MLE80]

I would like information concerning teaching English abroad with my husband who is not a native English speaker but does have excellent English skills. He would not necessarily have to teach English with me (he is a web designer and an artist and I'm sure would be able to find freelance work or other ways to entertain himself). I am wondering if anyone has done this and how their experiences have been. Can one person's income in a foreign country support a married couple? Will I have difficulty finding work? Could he teach English? What countries do you suggest? Answers to any of these questions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Glenski]

I'm sure some people will suggest countries, but I think it is better if you express an interest in a place (or a lack of interest) in order to get a better response.

Also, it will help to know your educational backgrounds for the sake of visa purposes.

And, what other languages does your husband speak?

Whether income in a foreign land is enough to support a couple depends on the foreign land, the jobs you have, and the couple.

Likely as not, your husband could not teach English in Japan (where I live) unless he is a native English speaker. Exceptions exist.

[khmerhit]

Supporting two Westerners on one ESL salary in South-East Asia is almost out of the question. You will earn a thousand to a thousand five hundred a month if you get the right job. Rent is about one hundred to three hundred depending, plus say fifty to one hundred dollars a week on food and entertainment... It all adds up quickly. If two of you are earning, then OK, but the better paying schools aren't likely to hire a non-native speaker. (That doesn't mean other schools won't of course, and there are always lot of schools.) Good luck!

[richard ame]

Hi
Afew years back a Canadian couple come over here he was teaching full time but she didn't have any teaching qualies or experience but the school found her some office work paid on an hourly basis and as they had accomodation and free meals twice a day they managed quite well and saved enough to travel and generally have a good time they would have stayed but he got disenchanted with the education system so went back to Vancouver . As someone asked what does your other half do ? Has he got any skills ? Does he speak another language? Does he play a musical instrument? Is he computer numerate ?

[MLE80]

A little more information on the topic. My husband and I are interested in travelling to Asia or Eastern Europe. Although we really are not closed to any country. I have a bachelors degree in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Ethnic Relations. I speak Spanish. My husband, although he does not have his bachelors degree, is very skilled. He has over 9 web sites published on the internet and creates logos and corporate identities for companies. He is a graphic designer who has studied marketing for a couple year. He is musical, plays the bass in a a band, is very artistic and speaks Spanish fluently (his first language). His English skills are really exceptional as he has attended city college here in California and studied English his whole life in Ecuador. Would it be difficult for him to find work in a country other then teaching English? Please give me suggestions of where to look and how I'd apply if we were to go together. We have both travelled a lot growing up and recently and we are sure that working abroad is something for us.

emily

[richard ame]

Hi Emily

I think jobs for both of you are quite possible over here inthe same profession but your other half can do what ever he likes there is a demand for people here with his skills. There are schools as I have already mentioned that include accommodationin their package so two of you could live here on one wage if need be . Try tefl inTurkey .com for some ideas.

[refazenda]

I have almost the same question, but I wanted to repost to see if more people answered. My husband is a "native bilingual"; he came to the US when he was three, and was an English major in college. He does not want to teach; in fact, he will; probably stay home with our young daughter.

What I need to know is where we can expect to live reasonably on one salary. We live frugally, and my husband may be able to work remotely, but we don't want to count on that. Thanks!

[Glenski]

MLE80,

Since you have a degree, you are eligible for a work visa, which can be renewed virtually endlessly. Your husband, however, cannot get a work visa (in Japan, anyway) because he does not have a degree. So, his only option is to get a dependent visa, but first YOU must have a FT job. On a dependent visa, you can ask immigration for additional paperwork which gives him permission to work, BUT it is limited to part-time jobs only.

Your degree makes you eligible for eikaiwa work in Japan, or for a job on the JET Programme. Eikaiwas pay about 250,000 to 280,000 yen/month, and that's not really enough to support two people. The JET programme pays about 300,000 yen/month, which is closer to being able to support two, but you'd have to really scrimp and save.

Although he has extensive experience in web design, if he doesn't speak very good Japanese, he is going to be seriously hurting for a position, unless he finds a foreign outfit that hires people who don't speak Japanese.

[august03]

You could get a job in China easily. Most schools provide you with accommodation that is suitable for 2 people, and it's good for them as the costs are lower. My boyfriend and I both manage to save half our pay (and live, eat and travel very comfortably), so yes you could survive on 1 income. The school would be happy to have a couple living on campus. Your husband�s English would probably be better than most of the Chinese/ English teachers so he could get work if he wanted it.

In China you get lots of added bonuses that would add to your income - paid school holidays, reimbursed airfare, travel allowance etc. If you would like the name of a reliable agency to use just PM me.

[Deborah]

You also mentioned an interest in Eastern Europe, and I see that up to now no one else has addressed that region.
I think it would be much tougher for a couple to live reasonably in Eastern Europe unless both can definitely find work. Salaries are generally ok to cover one person living within reason, but in my experience, it would be very difficult to find one job to support two people. This is true for the locals as well, in most cases! And, I wouldn't be too confident that your husband could find work teaching English in some parts of Eastern Europe (Poland or the Czech Republic, for example) as a non-native speaker - unless he can really confidently pass himself off as American! And he would most likely he would need at least a TEFL certificate; not necessarily a bad idea in any case!
Best of luck to you both....

[Glenski]

Regarding Japan again,

[Gonzo]

If you could find a decent job with housing in Shanghai or Guangzhou, I'm sure your husband could find an interesting job, and your base salary would be enough for a comfortable if modest standard of living. Finding extra work isn't too hard.