Job Discussion Forums

[lpeters]

Hello all -
I am just beginning my research about teaching overseas.
I am a 34-year-old woman from Minnesota. I have a degree in English (Communication Arts/Literature) and am graduating in June with my Masters Degree in Education with the Reading Endorsement. I have always dreamt of teaching overseas.
The current economic climate in my area is such that finding a full-time position teaching English is nearly impossible! I have been laid-off again and again over the last five years.
Originally I planned to wait until my kids were grown and out of the house before I left for my big adventure, but seeing as though I can't find a full-time job, my husband and I are considering moving up our timeline and taking the kids with us.
Honestly, I think it would be such a great experience for them. I moved around the US a lot when I was young - my husband was born and raised in the same house his whole life - so we have vastly different backgrounds and ideas of what is "right" for our kids when it comes to uprooting and moving!
My son is 14 and my daughter is 12.
My major questions are as follows:
What countries (and areas/cities of those countries) are conducive to hosting a family? I am thinking of how my kids will be welcomed and accepted into the culture. I want them to feel comfortable and safe.

I understand that placement programs don't generally cover tuition for teacher's kids - are public schools free? Can my kids just go to the school where I am teaching? How much (generally) does tuition cost?

Is it easy for spouses to get work visas?
Would it be better for us to look at a more "touristy" area where my husband could get a job in the service industry? He has a two-year AA degree from a community college and isnt interested in teaching.

We are not getting into this for the money (insert rolling laughter!). So all I really care about is that we have enough to be comfortable, safe, and happy.

I appreciate any information you can give me - - - please feel free to add to my naive list of questions - I really have no idea what to even ask!

[spiral78]

My major questions are as follows:
What countries (and areas/cities of those countries) are conducive to hosting a family? I am thinking of how my kids will be welcomed and accepted into the culture. I want them to feel comfortable and safe.

Quite a lot depends on the native language of the country. Will your kids feel comfortable and safe living, for example, in a country where everyone speaks Spanish - and some people may speak English to some degree?

I understand that placement programs don't generally cover tuition for teacher's kids - are public schools free? Can my kids just go to the school where I am teaching? How much (generally) does tuition cost?

Again, it's all about the local language.

Is it easy for spouses to get work visas?
Would it be better for us to look at a more "touristy" area where my husband could get a job in the service industry? He has a two-year AA degree from a community college and isnt interested in teaching.

Again, it's all about the local language. What languages does he speak? How will he carry out a daily job if he isn't fluent in the local language?

The other issue to consider is that teaching jobs don't generally pay well enough to support a family. Your best chance would probably be international schools, where education is carried out in English. You might also find such a school that would allow your kids to study in the school.
I don't have links for the international school job fairs, but if you do a search here, you'll find that they have been posted repeatedly - or perhaps another helpful regular will come along soon and post them for you.

You might try to give us some idea of the regions you envision - and then it's easier to give advice regarding feasibility.

So far as Europe (my own area of expertise) an international school would be your only real option, I think. The downside is that the job market is highly competitive, and openings fairly rare. You'd need serious luck, and probably local language skills and connections, to land anything reasonable here.

I have also worked in Canada and can say that there is tremendous competition there from highly-qualified Canadians, and a US teacher doesn't really stand a chance, I dont' think.

Not to totally rain on the idea - you may indeed find a feasible niche somewhere with enough commitment to the project, but overall I think you're asking for quite a lot, in a job market that's competitive all over.

[lpeters]

Thanks for the advice!
As I said, I'm just getting started and looking for as much information as possible.
I'll take a look at international schools.
I speak a little French, but my family doesn't speak any other languages. Part of the experience will be living in another place where they will be exposed to the local language... but I would like them to be taught in English.
So much to learn!!!

[Glenski]

International schools are very expensive (in Japan anyway). Keep that in mind.

Also, you may think the experience is good for the kids, but have you sat down and seriously discussed it with them? If not, do so today! They may not want to leave their current neighborhood or friends. Also, what does hubby say, with his live-in-one-home-all-his-life background?

I second the statement that TEFL careers will not pay enough for a family of 4, so wherever you go (if you go), plan for that. Hubby will definitely have to work, and with an AA degree he isn't going to get any FT work unless the country lets him do it on the side and collect under the table. What kind of work does he do, anyway?

Spouses get dependent visas in Japan (just like your kids would), and with special permission, your hubby would be able to work over the table only PT. Make more than 1.1 million yen, and he cannot be declared a tax exemption on your taxes. With only an AA degree, he is not qualified in Japan to get a work visa unless he had 10 or more years of related work experience. That alone won't guarantee the job, though, as most non-teaching jobs here require a high fluency in Japanese language.

What about your timeline? When do you want to go? Do you have a car/house/etc. other items that can be disposed of or easily take care of while you are abroad? Those expenses will also have to be paid, and from firsthand experience, I'd say dump the car and most of your stuff unless you have a very strict, certain idea of returning in the near future.

Your kids will probably be welcomed into the culture here, but they will have issues to contend with.

1. Language. Unless you can afford an international school, they will have to learn the local language, and it's not easy. If they already have any problems with geography class or math or science, multiply their difficulty levels when taught in Japanese.
2. Being non-Japanese, they will be the center of attention in some areas, yet the shy Japanese may not have the social skills to interact with them smoothly. (They certainly won't have the English to do so!)
3. They will likely have to take part in all/most school activities, and that is a lot compared to the USA! After-school clubs run from 4pm to 7pm in many cases, and that's often a daily event. Some sports clubs practice one or both days on the weekend, too. No exceptions.
4. They may have to wear certain uniforms. This is more of a private school thing, but who knows?
5. Assuming that you plan to return to Minnesota even in just one year, you have to determine whether any of their studies abroad will be accepted by MN board of education. If not, they'll have to play catch-up or repeat a grade.

Welcome to the forum, fellow Minnesotan. (Cities or Ranger?)

[keitepai]

Hello,

It is possible to bring a family overseas and survive - but I agree you will need to get a job at an international school. It is a wonderful experience, despite our previous concerns our kids have done well and it was a good choice for us. The positive side of international schools are: low numbers, less social/behavioural issues and cultural diversity. The negative: rich kids, culture shock and isolation. Five years ago we never dreamt of being able to travel and absorb other cultures and get paid for it! We sold everything and took a chance.

I have my non teaching spouse and children with me, we have accommodation, tuition, flights etc provided so it is easily a better choice for us than in our home country. It is a bit difficult to get work permits for spouses here in Turkey unless they are qualified teachers.

I am not sure of your qualifications - do you have a current teaching certificate? Any experience teaching in schools? Which curriculum are you familiar with? What age range - primary/secondary?

Anyway, check out www.tes.co.uk for some international school positions and you can see for yourself what is available. It is not a great time of year to go looking as the majority of positions are advertised between December and March.

My advice is to look and consider, find out if your qualifications and experience will measure up - then apply....it is quite painless

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

OP, have you considered the Middle East? Your creds might get you into one of the unis here that would pay completely for or VERY heavily subsidize yer kids' education...

NCTBA