Job Discussion Forums

mrphilowens · Joined: 10 Sep 2010 Posts: 1

I am just starting to get job offers in China. However, Im wondering if anybody knows if bringing a child along is something frowned upon. Do they tend to only pay for the instructor s flight? My son is 12 and must travel with me if I am even to consider China. I personally think it might be a great experience for him. Right now we are living in Colombia.

Laurence · Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 401

It's not frowned upon,
but I doubt you really understand what kind of experience he will have (I apologise if my assumptions are wrong here).

Without any language skills or relevant cultural experience, it's very unlikely that he will fit into the social dynamics of local children of the same age,

and it's also very unlikely that he will fit into cliques of expat children either - they usually live a life of privilege far removed from the typical life of an ESL teacher, or the offspring of an ESL teacher, for that matter.

It's not a good age to be ostracised.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Make it clear from the outset that you have a dependent child and get an early and totally firm 'OK' when you have an offer you like.
I was involved in a situation a couple of years ago when my school made an offer to a FT with wife and two small kids.
After the school got way into the offer process they withdrew on the pretext that the FT would be 'distracted'.
A wonderful opportunity for cross-cultural exchange dashed. From memory the children were both under 10 years and Mum was to be fulltime carer ie not a teacher.

diana83709 · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 1:39 pm Post subject:

My daughter was 14 when my husband and I relocated to China to teach. In the two years we were there, she had mostly positive experiences and grew to appreciate a culture different from her own. She made friends and became very proficient in Mandarin.
It's my opinion that each experience will be different. In this case, strong friendships were forged and one of her Chinese friends spent this past winter holiday with our family in Oz.
I wish you the best of luck in what ever you decide to do.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

might want to change the subject line here for the benefit of people doing a search in the archives later on. "Travelling" in China with your son and "living" in China with your son are two very different experiences.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

Well, you are travelling to China, aren't you?

I see no reason for changing it.

On the topic at hand, I have known expats with kids teaching. It all depends on the school. I'm not a big EF supporter ATM, but I know people with kids who teach there and nil for problems. But as others have said, growing up in China is a bit of a challenge for expat kids.

Would be a rewarding experience, either way.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

I think an accurate subject heading would be helpful to teachers who use the search function on this forum. At any rate, it was just an idea for mrphilowens.