Job Discussion Forums

BetsyNY · Joined: 06 Jun 2010 Posts: 5

We're kicking this idea around--I have a B.A. in English and an M.A. as well, but no teaching certification.

I have experience teaching at the post-secondary level--I taught my own sections of composition while I was going to graduate school. I don't have the three years of post-grad experience, unless I can count that.

We have twin boys who are 4.5. My husband has an A.A., but no B.A.

I'm interested in Oman or UAE especially. Korea or Japan if we could swing it. It seems that more positions in Oman/UAE offer family accommodations and tuition discounts.

Where am I most likely to find work that would be appropriate for us?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

You haven't described what sort of teaching work you both want. You're not likely to get compositions jobs (in Japan anyway). Market here overall is pretty flooded with teachers, too.

You are suited only for entry level work (ALT or conversation school), which means a pretty low salary, not enough to support 4 people.

Your husband will not be able to get a work visa with his degree, so he will have to rely on you getting one, and then him getting a dependent visa based on that. DV allows him to work only PT.

Have you thought about how you're going to care for and educate your twins? It won't be easy in Japan.

BetsyNY · Joined: 06 Jun 2010 Posts: 5

I'm open to whatever would work for us, as far as teaching goes.

Maybe Japan wouldn't work then, I don't know. We're just starting this process.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

If your husband upgrades his qualifications and you get teacher certification, you might be in the running. At the moment you are non-starters.

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

I believe that you could definitely get work in Russia. Your husband probably could as well. However, how to educate your children here...that is the question Shocked

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

(Unless your children speak Russian, or you can manage to make enough to send them to international schools, which are quite dear here.)

Mrs McClusky · Joined: 09 Jun 2010 Posts: 133

At the moment I think it would be a family breaking move. Salaries are not enough with you r lack of experience and they only places you can earn JUST enough won't look at you both for visa, certificate and experience reasons unless they get desperate.
Sorry, but I think a few years where you are now with friends and family support till you get on your feet would be wise.

mm

powerrose · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Shenzhen, China

You could try one of the international schools in Shenzhen. Some provide housing and schooling. Your husband could probably tutor under the table as well.

BetsyNY · Joined: 06 Jun 2010 Posts: 5

Thanks everybody! Got a lot to think about.

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

You could maybe go to China. You could string together some language school work and maybe private students. Your husband maybe could do the same, though perhaps under the table. You could either hire an ayi (nanny), as they are fairly cheap, or work opposing days/shifts so one of you can always take care of the kids.

The whole plan is predicated, however, on your being comfortable with either putting your boys into Chinese public schools, which is doable but not necessarily for the faint of the heart, or home schooling.

Another thing. Do you have savings or family support to back you up in case you were to, say, run short of money one month? It wouldn't be good to do this with no safety net. Also, do you have anything to go back to once you're done with the adventure -- specifically, work possibilities? Place to live? You wouldn't want to return home someday flat broke and with no prospects.