Job Discussion Forums

[Glenski]

spiral, I have to try pointing out that if you mean any of my questions about Mfelix's husband, then I respectfully wish to add that he is part of the equation in her choice of places to go.

So far, we have Korea as a maybe. (Housing costs are paid by employers there, so that is a savings. If anyone here has experience in Korea, perhaps they should chip in with how feasible it is to take along a spouse such as hers.

So far, we also have the Middle East as a maybe. If start-up costs are prohibitive, it may be better to cut that one off the list.

So far, we also have a desire to work in central or eastern Europe. Americans like Mfelix will have visa issues, I believe in central Europe, leaving us with scant info posted here about eastern, other than low salaries, a real non-selling point in their situation.

There is a lot more left to the globe, and I think Mfelix should dig into the financial situation here and get a handle on just how much she can estimate will be required to pay off in student loans. One does not have to register for the courses or aid to get a general fix on such things.

Mfelix has not responded to a couple of questions (not all by me) which I feel are directly related to her situation at hand, although they may seem to be directed at her husband. (The title of this thread alone, "bringing a spouse" begs such questions.) Other questions are not that pointed at her husband, though.
1. artemisia asked: your husband would have to travel as your dependant. If you got a job in the ME where most of the best paying jobs are then your husband could consider doing online training in some sort of degree for the duration of your position. That throws up more issues, of course. Would he want to study in the first place?
No answer.
2. I asked (and artemisia asked indirectly): What exactly did your husband figure he would do for work overseas?
No answer.
3. artemisia asked: Are you already an ESL teacher? It would make a quite a big difference if you are already trained to an extent and experienced.
No answer (although we can suspect the answer is no, it would be nice to have a response to confirm)
4. coledavis offered: In Russia, you can often get accommodation as part of the deal. And it is possible to get work by applying from your own country.
No public response. Is Mfelix even considering this or looking into it further?
5. spiral put this out: Seriously, in light of your financial straits and other circumstances, I think Asia is a far better and safer bet for you.
No response, although Asia covers a huge area of possibilities. I would have expected at least a follow-up question about what's out there.

Other than repeating an earlier question about what country(ies) are preferred or not (just from the social/cultural end, if nothing else, and we haven't come close to exhausting possibilities, such as South America or Africa), I will pose one more here:
Have you thought about going abroad by yourself, and letting your husband stay home where he would not have to contend with the issues we explained, but also where he would not have a gap in a domestic work record (and potentially be able to take care of any home issues while you are away)?

[artemisia]

If I'm going to be quoted, then I'd like that to NOT be done selectively.
Here are a few more quotes:

OP:

[mfelix87]

[spiral78]

spiral, I have to try pointing out that if you mean any of my questions about Mfelix's husband, then I respectfully wish to add that he is part of the equation in her choice of places to go.

The degree to which ESL teachers are qualified to advise people on their personal relationships is highly debatable here, IMO.

So far, we have Korea as a maybe. (Housing costs are paid by employers there, so that is a savings. If anyone here has experience in Korea, perhaps they should chip in with how feasible it is to take along a spouse such as hers.

So far, we also have the Middle East as a maybe. If start-up costs are prohibitive, it may be better to cut that one off the list.

So far, we also have a desire to work in central or eastern Europe. Americans like Mfelix will have visa issues, I believe in central Europe, leaving us with scant info posted here about eastern, other than low salaries, a real non-selling point in their situation.

There is a lot more left to the globe, and I think Mfelix should dig into the financial situation here and get a handle on just how much she can estimate will be required to pay off in student loans. One does not have to register for the courses or aid to get a general fix on such things.

Mfelix has not responded to a couple of questions (not all by me) which I feel are directly related to her situation at hand, although they may seem to be directed at her husband. (The title of this thread alone, "bringing a spouse" begs such questions.) Other questions are not that pointed at her husband, though.
1. artemisia asked: your husband would have to travel as your dependant. If you got a job in the ME where most of the best paying jobs are then your husband could consider doing online training in some sort of degree for the duration of your position. That throws up more issues, of course. Would he want to study in the first place?
No answer.
2. I asked (and artemisia asked indirectly): What exactly did your husband figure he would do for work overseas?
No answer.
3. artemisia asked: Are you already an ESL teacher? It would make a quite a big difference if you are already trained to an extent and experienced.
No answer (although we can suspect the answer is no, it would be nice to have a response to confirm)
4. coledavis offered: In Russia, you can often get accommodation as part of the deal. And it is possible to get work by applying from your own country.
No public response. Is Mfelix even considering this or looking into it further?
5. spiral put this out: Seriously, in light of your financial straits and other circumstances, I think Asia is a far better and safer bet for you.
No response, although Asia covers a huge area of possibilities. I would have expected at least a follow-up question about what's out there.

Other than repeating an earlier question about what country(ies) are preferred or not (just from the social/cultural end, if nothing else, and we haven't come close to exhausting possibilities, such as South America or Africa), I will pose one more here:
Have you thought about going abroad by yourself, and letting your husband stay home where he would not have to contend with the issues we explained, but also where he would not have a gap in a domestic work record (and potentially be able to take care of any home issues while you are away)?

The Mirriam-Webster definition of BROWBEATING fits well here.

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

If you can be helpful on this thread, please continue.

To the extent that you are unable to stop arguing with one another, please discontinue posting on this thread.

Failure to follow this friendly advice will result in sanctions.

Also, as information, one member who contributed a partciularly inappropriate posting on this thread is now on an unpaid four-week vacation from this board.

It happens.

[Glenski]

Apologies to artemisia and Mfelix for missing this item among all the text posted here:
Also, in reference to your question earlier, I am not currently an ESL teacher.
It was an honest mistake.

artemisia,
I don't feel I "selectively" quoted you in such a negative way. The quotes were all open-ended points and nothing more.

spiral,
I resent the word "browbeating". That would imply a maliciousness on my part, and that is the farthest from the truth. Everything I have posted here for Mfelix has been with an intent to provide assistance.

As for trying to "advise people on their personal relationships", to a degree that is necessary in any couple's situation. If you can't see that advice for Mfelix and her spouse has to include something relatively "personal", that's your business and hers, but I have tried very hard to keep my questions related to the success and happiness of both Mfelix and her husband. The way you wrote your last bold quote implies a nosiness that reaches beyond that aim, and I have not tried to go that far.

Mfelix,
Thanks for the update. I had thought you had given up on this thread, too, or that you were simply too busy in your own life to come back often. Being "dirt poor", as you wrote, that was quite likely, I felt.

Thanks, too, for informing us about the idea of leaving your husband behind. I am happy to see that you are "researching on my own--looking at job posts, the other forums, recruitment centers". I noticed that you had not posted anywhere else on the ESL Cafe except in this thread, so I was also concerned that you weren't posting questions in other forums for advice from people in other countries. I feel that you need to do a lot of that research you described, so don't stop.

Unless there is a reason for me to respond further, I can see that there will be no answers to the questions or statements I copied earlier, and that my advice is not wanted here, no matter how helpful the intent or how related it is to the professional success of Mfelix. So, I'm dropping this with one final note: public disclosure of some matters may be necessary to get a good fix on working overseas, and if one does not feel comfortable in posting much personal info on forums, that is one's right, but there is also a PM function and email.

Best of luck to you, Mfelix. Keep us posted on what success comes your way.

[mimi_intheworld]

Mfelix

If Korea is your area of interest, you've probably moved over to the Korea board by now. Good luck!

I think, as others have said here, that the big concern in any TEFL job is the start-up cost. I am with you on the poverty front - I've been living with my sister for the past six months, just trying to scrape by until I get everything together to go overseas again.

Considering your experience, education (and ed plans) and wishes, Korea sounds like it'll fit the bill. Good luck!

[artemisia]

Hi mFelix87,

Glad you're still around and checking things out! Despite the financial difficulties of your current situation, it's great that further tertiary education is available to you. I think that's what I'd be choosing in your shoes. It usually does open up doors and when you eventually get a job abroad you can always change countries (at a later date) if you find one place doesn't suit. You have age on your side in that regard.

All the best.

[spiral78]

I agree with artemesia - continuing education will definitely open more doors in future. I must say I feel rather lucky that I'm not starting out in this job market just now, myself. It's difficult all round!

Best of luck, and do keep us posted.

[naturegirl321]

[naturegirl321]

[mfelix87]

[naturegirl321]

[mfelix87]

Oops! Sorry Naturegirl! I knew I was responding to you, honestly! I was editing the quote tags because there were a few in your post, so I was trying to make it clear that I was quoting you...and I failed

I edited the post.

[naturegirl321]