Job Discussion Forums

[friedemanngross]

Hi,
I am new to the forum, my wife and I have just received our TEFL certifications and we are looking for some advice. We seem to have a problem with age restrictions in many places. We are both over 50. Also, I have German citizenship and she has a US citizenship. I am interested in anybody with some ideas or advice for older teaching couples, if you are in a similar situation I'd love to hear about it. Thanks.

[Glenski]

Do either of you have a minimum of a bachelor's degree?

[friedemanngross]

Yes both my wife and I have our MA's. (Spanish and Education) We are also both experienced teachers.

[Glenski]

If you already have licenses and experience, I'd suggest doing a search here and elsewhere for info on international schools.

Got any countries in mind?

[friedemanngross]

Thanks, but here is a clarification: I am 56, German, and have a MO teaching certification and my wife is a US citizen, 60, with an MA in Spanish, BA in English but no teaching certification. We are both Tefl certified, are looking for jobs and don't seem to get responses.

[Glenski]

I repeat, got any countries in mind?

Let me rephrase that. Where have you applied so far, and to what sort of institutions?

What exactly are your teaching experiences?

[friedemanngross]

So far we have applied to China, Korea, Thailand, UAE, Ecuador, Chile and Colombia with no luck and hardly any responses.

I have an MA in Education and studied English to teach in schools. I have been a U.S. resident for over 20 years, have acquired native fluency in the language, and have extensive classroom experience (elementary level). I recently completed my TEFL certification but I still have a German passport and find it difficult to find employment as an English teacher abroad.

My wife has an MA in Spanish and a BA in English. She also has extensive classroom experience teaching languages (Spanish and French) but is not a certified teacher. She is a U.S. citizen and native speaker.

[naturegirl321]

[friedemanngross]

Thanks, I thought about US citizenship and already got the green light from the German government for dual. I'm so done with US schools! Thanks for the tips, Friedemann

[JZer]

friedemanngross, go to an international school job fair and see if you can get a job. The wages will be good and you could possibily support your wife on that. After securing your job your wife could find a job as an ESL teacher.

[Glenski]

Are you applying separately or asking to be hired together? The latter would make it hard on most employers.

Also, are you asking to be hired to teach English or (as I'd expect if I were an employer) English and German? That would make a good combination, even if German wasn't in high demand.

Can't speak for the countries where you've applied. What sort of institutions have you applied to? conversation school, public/private HS, junior college, etc.? Perhaps those countries require experience teaching in them at a low level first before you can leap right into mainstream (like is the situation in Japan).

[iverin]

Not sure if you fit all the criteria, but this job posting is specifically looking for a couple

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=20175

[JZer]

[naturegirl321]

Why not? Just says native english speakers. After 25 years in the US, his English is probably far better than his German.

[JZer]