Job Discussion Forums

ebritton · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 5:39 pm Post subject: Can you do this with a family?

Is TESL OK for family?

I'm looking for some opinions on whether a TESL career is OK for somebody like me. Thanks in advance for your advice!

I'm a career college instructor - been 15 years in the business and I really love teaching. My field (natural resources) is drying up, however, and there are few opportunities. TESL looks appealing.

I'm 50 years old and have a family at home (wife and 4 children) and they would accompany me, so I need to support a family and live in a family friendly environment. That said, we do live modestly and are aware that the rest of the world is not like North America. I'd like to be able to save a little money, but not expecting riches.

I am a native English speaker, have a Bachelor of Science Degree and Master of Arts Degree and plan to complete an advanced TESOL Diploma with Global TESOL College.

So, what do you think? Is this do-able? Are there particular places and working situations that I should seek out or that I should avoid?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Working in the ME you could earn enough to support a family.

BUT........for how much longer ?

In Saudi the military outfits pay enough, but.....................
see posts on Raytheon/SALTS.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I think so. As a TEFL teacher, you usally earn more than the native people living in the country. There are a few people here with families who are on the same salary as me and do fine. One has four children. But they don't take vacations and don't go home, they are settled here in China.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

of course it is possible. There are many people with families teaching overseas, myself includeed. How old are your children? What would think of going overseas? I would recommend the Middle East, probably UAE. I haven't taught there before, but it seems to be one of the best places to bring families and they aren't as restrictive regarding personal freedoms as some of the other countries in that area.

What is your Masters in and what were you teacing in college? I'm currently in Japan, but few unis will hire here without a Masters in TEFL or App. Ling.

ebritton · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 1:25 am Post subject: More on my qualifications

The field I've taught in is applied biology. My Masters is in 'Leadership and Training' - my specialization is program development for professional education.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

If everyone is going along two things that will be extremely important are
a) whether everyone is agreed that this is the thing to do. Having one or two family members unhappy abroad is a major major stress multiplier.
b) whether you are considering paying for education - in some countries, this could put you in the red before you get off the plane. Japan is one of them and very very few employers will contribute to education payments.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

Hi,

I was in a similar situation, my wife and I decided to pick up and leave for China where we have a great lifestyle on 1/4 of what I used to earn back in the states...

If you choose the Asia Route, come to China. Your wife, assuming she is a native speaker, can get a teaching position also. How old are your children? I have seen a 16 year old kid teach high school students this past fall... Shocked

China will give you peace of mind, specially in a bigger city..

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

The voice of gloom and doom from Japan speaking...

With your credentials, you likely won't be able to teach in a university in Japan. High school or international school, maybe. Salaries are about 400,000 - 450,000 yen/year. It would be very tough to support 6 people on that, in my opinion. Schooling costs alone for your 4 kids would be staggering.

If your spouse worked part-time, he/she could earn 1 million yen a year without getting taxed for it, I think, but that salary is still a drop in the bucket for a family of 6. One way around this is for either or both of you to get lots of private work.

Eikaiwa work (quite the step down, but still an option) pays roughly 250,000 - 280,000 yen/month. I think you can do the math. Just offering what's out there.

ebritton · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 4:51 am Post subject: Ages of Children

My children are 6, 8, 11 and 14. We plan to home school since my wife won't be employed outside the home.

Thanks for the great advice so far! This is a huge help.

Albulbul · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 364

I suggested the ME because here you can find employers who will pick up all or some of the tab for education bills. In some cases they will pay expenses involved in home schooling.

In Japan, Korea or China employers are not so generous.

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

Typo in previous message. That should be 400,00 - 450,000 yen/month.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Scott in HK · Joined: 11 Jan 2003 Posts: 148

I am sure others will tell you about places where you can teach...

I am just wondering why you are choosing Global TESOL College...

Exactly how much is their advanced course and what do you get for it. Their website says $2500 Can....

This is not a true diploma...and would not carry the same weight as a DELTA or one year program from a college or university...

I am sure you have put thought into your choice....

If you are planning to do this for some time and want a quality certificate...then I would suggest getting a CELTA...

I don't know anything about Global...but their ads don't tell the whole truth about teaching overseas...they say you can get a job anywhere with their cert but fail to mention that a number of countries expect you to have a BA before they will issue you a working visa. You have one so you don't have to worry but it makes we wonder about the company.

Go over to the teacher training forum and do a search...I think you might want to think a bit more about your cert after reading some of the threads...

http://www.eslcafe.com/discussion/dz1/index.cgi?index