Job Discussion Forums

[DavidH]

I have a BS in Agriculture and an MBA. I have 17 years in commercial banking and lending and 10 years in agricultural business and commodity trading. I plan to get TESOL certification in the near future. I have never taught but am interested in teaching business or agriculture abroad. Could I find a job?

Also, my wife is interested in teaching abroad. She has a BA and MA and 30 hours toward a PhD in education. She has 25 years of experience as an English and French teacher. Would we be able to find jobs as a couple?

We have a 10 year old child. Would we make enough to afford to educate him abroad?

Thank you for your ideas.

[Glenski]

[DavidH]

Thank you for your help. I am just beginning to research this business. Any ideas are welcome. I am open to any country. I spent a couple of years in the Peace Corps in Central America after college so I don't mind roughing it. But if my wife and child go they will want at least heat in the winter. I have several friends that taught in China and really liked it. From my very limited knowledge it looks like Asia seems to have the most opportunities. What do you think. Thanks again.

[runthegauntlet]

As mentioned before, a job as a couple isn't going to happen unless your wife throws her creds out the window and accepts a bottom rung job.

However, have you considered the international school route for her? She could look for a posting in China or somewhere that interests and then you could follow along and take a job in the same area.

That might be the best scenario as it would also get your daughter into that school and provide much more of an income than you would be getting at whatever institution you'd be at. It shouldn't be too tough for you to find a job once she gets one, but she'd have to do everything first and you'd have to follow.

[DavidH]

Thanks. That's good advice - she is the teacher. Should I look for something in business or teaching when we get there? Would China be the best place to look?

From what I am reading on the forum it seems there is much debate about how to get credentials to get noticed. I went to a TESOL training course over a weekend and learned just how much I don't know. My wife is a good teacher with 25 years of experience and she is still learning. It almost seems that teaching ability is as much a gift as a learned skill. As you can see I am not young. Is there a way that I can at least gain some rudimentary skills that would be recognized as somewhat valid without going through a proper college degree program?

Thanks again for your help.

[Glenski]

You're not going to get a lot (if any) of non-teaching jobs (like banking) if you can't speak/read/write the language very well. What languages are you fluent in for that purpose?

If nothing other than English, then you're going to end up teaching English in some entry level position.

Heat in winter? Many Japanese homes have just a space heater or 2 to take care of the whole home, which is usually quite small but poorly insulated. It's dangerous to leave these kerosene heaters on when you are not there because of the earthquake hazards.

[DavidH]

Glenski, your response and candor are appreciated. One last stupid question. I have experience and education (only at the masters level) in finance, economics, logistics, agricultural research and grain trading. Essentially, I have knowledge of capitalistic agriculture. Would China have jobs teaching this stuff at the lecturer level? Or should I approach this from the ag business aspect?

[spiral78]

As pointed out before, doing anything other than teaching English will require local language skills.

Very unlikely you would be hired to 'lecture' in any field without 1. teaching credentials and 2. fluent local language skills.

[Glenski]

David,
I suggest asking this in the China forum. I do not know the answer, suspect it's as spiral wrote, but you should get it from people who are in China now. Going to that forum will give you more potential hits than this general forum.

[DavidH]

Glenski, thank you for suggesting the China forum. I have had positive and encouraging response.

[Hadit]

I would look at South Korea. Many regard it as the best place to begin TEFL. They offer free housing and pretty good pay. Your wife could get an international school there somewhere, and you could likely get a university job with your Masters teaching English. If not, you could get a public school job and within a few years move to a university job.

Basically your wife could get an international school job anywhere in the world. You could try to look into working for an American company overseas somewhere with your business background, or for the government even. If not, then yeah teach english.

One other place is Shenzhen or Hong Kong maybe, where you could teach corporate and business english.

[naturegirl321]

With your experience, couldn-t you get transferred within your field? If you get sent abroad, they often pay schooling.

[DavidH]

I have taken a realistic look at this, with much help from this forum, and I think that looking within my field would be best. I don't have teaching experience and I don't know if I would be any good at it. I hope I can find something in my field and my wife should be able to find something in teaching. Where I am now is wondering where I should look. I have experience in Latin America but I really think Asia looks like the best long term area - but where in Asia? I have never been there and would appreciate ideas. My career has been in agricultural business and I am leaning toward focusing on China, but any ideas would be very welcome. Thanks.

[Glenski]

[The Ever-changing Cleric]