Job Discussion Forums

[eveling]

Hi,

I�m interested in teaching English internationally. I have a BA in neuroscience and have taught private lessons for about three months. My wife is Colombian, and I live in Colombia at the moment. She has a Colombian passport but is not an American citizen and does not have an American passport.

We need to know if there are any places in the world that will provide visas for both of us, and where it would be feasible to save at least a little bit of money. We are willing to go just about anywhere.

[Justin Trullinger]

I don't know everywhere in the world, but it's very possible to teach English with a spouse in tow.

Difficulty is, many places a teacher doesn't earn enough to support themselves and a non-working spouse. Also, the low level employers may not be willing to take on the extra hassle of sponsoring a spousal visa.

Tell us about you- if you have teaching qualifications, this may be fairly easy- if not, I'd really recommend getting some.

Best,
Justin

[eveling]

Thanks Justin,

I don�t really have any qualifications except an unrelated bachelor�s degree, a few months giving private lessons, and the experience of learning a second language (Spanish). I�d like to obtain some teaching qualifications, but I also have hardly any money. From what I gather it�s pretty easy in many parts of the world to find work teaching English with only a bachelors degree and native English (United States in my case), but I�m imagining difficulties in obtaining a spousal visa for my wife considering that she�s Colombian, or is this not really a factor?

[naturegirl321]

First off, you being the native speaker, rather than your wife will make things easier. Seems employers are more open to having the native Speaker husband. I'm the opposite, my husband is Peruvian.

About supporting the both of you, depends how you live really and if you get housing included. Nevertheless, go with savings and consider that you might have to teach extra classes, or privates to get by. Working on the internet or teaching spanish might be an optino for your wife. Its feasible. I plan on doing it.

Here's the thing, most places WILL provide a spousal visa. IN some countries, like Japan and korea, the visa is yours, so you can get one for your wife. In others, like China, the visa is the school;s so the school has to get your wife's visa.

Another thing, you might have to go first, establish residecy and have her follow. My advice, if you want money, get a couple years experience, maybe an MA and head to the Middle East.

The fact that your wife is Colombian might pose a problem. I was turned down a job because they said that it was really really hard to get visas for Peruvians. Don't give up though, there are tons of countries and employers out there.