Job Discussion Forums

[spaceman spiff]

Hello all!

My name is Ian - I am a first time poster, long time reader/stalker of these boards who has finally had it up to here with Canada (or Toronto at least, more on that later...) and as a newbie, I have a few questions that could use answering by some of you fine folk who know a thing or two about expatriating and teaching languages. I realize that this type of post comes up often enough, but my situation/skills are different enough that I feel like it's worth taking the time to listen to me!

First things first, I'm a Canadian citizen who finished his BA degree in Linguistics at the University of Toronto. In my final year I met a French girl (in Toronto) - we fell in love, I followed her to France after I finished my studies through the youth mobility agreement held by Canada-France, and I taught English (only privates) in Toulouse. I was there more for the experience than the cash, so when I came back to Toronto last July (after breaking up with her) I was flat broke and I've spent the majority of this past year working to build up a nest and to pay off my student loans (over 20,000$ CDN - eek [but at least I'm not American!])

All this to say that I'm not a complete newb. I have a good degree, experience both in Europe and Canada, I can speak/teach 2 languages at a high level, I know how to sell myself reasonably well - although I have no TEFL cert (nor the 120 on-site hours that comes with it).

I should mention that I am fluent in French. As in, a native speaker of that language (my heritage is Basque). I speak French with a European accent, and I write it well - so the possibility of teaching both English AND French is totally possible for me, and I do have experience as a French tutor when I was at university here. This makes my situation different from most I would think, and ideally I'd like to relocate somewhere where knowledge of both languages can be a serious point in my favour.

The other thing I'd like to clarify is that although I love languages [I studied linguistics after all], and the different experiences associated with travel and learning a different culture, I am not entirely determined to being a language teacher. I have my own passions and interests associated with film production, and cultural administration (My contract as a coordinator at an art gallery in Toronto is about to come to an end) but the experience of working directly in the arts/culture appeals to me greatly, and that is what I want to do with myself in the long term. Ideally, I'd go someplace with a vibrant cultural scene, where both my languages could be vital, and where I could maybe eventually settle down and work in that domain.

With that being said, I know that Europe is largely closed off to me for not having the right passport [I do not have a French passport - my family is rather estranged and I'm not really considering going through the hassle of getting their and my paperwork done for this passport]. Additionally, I have to be honest and say that Asia holds little appeal for me - even though I know that that's where the $$$ is.

So... ESLCafe-ers... is it a total pipe dream to head to Europe and hope for the best? Canada does have youth mobility agreements with Spain, Germany and Italy which (theoretically) would appreciate an English/French tutor, and in the bigger city centres I could possibly make ends meet with other small jobs (I do editing, sound recording and graphic design so hopefully I could find enough gigs like I can do here in Canada if I hustle enough). I do need to send about 250$ CDN/month back home though, so I'm expecting disillusioning information from you lot - even though I'll have "enough" in start up costs (~3500$ CDN), and I have no problems with living super frugally. I want to go someplace where I can learn a new language (double points if it's a useful one), and where the cost of living is low enough (maybe Eastern Europe ? Is there any demand for French there as well to put me ahead of the monolingual anglophone candidates ?)

Or.... I could go to latin america. Ideally, I'd be in Brazil next summer (for the world cup!) which has been a dream of mine since it was first announced (and I also speak a reasonable portuguese), but I'm uncertain of my prospects there as well (I need to make enough cash to live on plus send back at least 250 CDN/month - maybe in Curitiba/Florianoplis where the cost of living is lower?).

Or.... the safe option would just be going to Montreal. I have friends there, I speak both languages, the city is much cheaper than Toronto, and I'd find an artsy job eventually. But it's still Canada...

Or.... I could go to Asia, but again I'm not terribly interested in doing this for no real reason other than I'm simply more interested in the culture of Europe and Latin America. Japan would be cool, and of course it'd be really interesting to see places like Angkor Wat and such, but like I said, I'm just not as interested in that part of the world.

Or hell, maybe I'll just run away to the hills of Romania. I'm sure they want both English and French instruction.

I would really appreciate any information you could impart with...

Cheers !

Ian

[spaceman spiff]

I should also add that I'd be leaving early July (perhaps a little before hiring season), and that unlike some who only have 90 days to find a job before needing to leave the Schengen zone, I (as a Canadian citizen between 18-35 years old) can apply for one of the following youth agreements which permits me to stay in the host country for up to 1 year:

http://www.international.gc.ca/experience/destinations_out-destinations_sortant.aspx?lang=eng

(For any other Canadian posters - check this out!)

[Sashadroogie]

Come to Russia. No passport problems here. You might even get a job teaching English and French.

http://www.bkcih-moscow.com/ml/english

Best of luck!

[spaceman spiff]

Hmm - that's interesting. I can't say I've really considered Russia before (though I love their depressed writers).

Isn't Moscow outrageously expensive however ? Cheers for the link though - I'll send in a CV.

[Sashadroogie]

Outrageously expensive for rich people who want to buy expensive cars, diamond necklaces, fine wines etc. They are more expensive here, by far.

For most ordinary souls, however, the basics are affordable enough. A school like BKC will provide accommodation for full-time staff members, so that is a major overhead removed right there.

Have a read here about BKC and other McSchools first, though. They come with their own set of drawbacks as well as advantages.


Best of luck whatever you decide.

Sasha

[spaceman spiff]

Hmm - ok. Thanks for the tip. I will consider this. I don't mind cooking for myself more often than not, and I have no interest in clubs or lavish parties, so that's good (though I do like the occasional beer or cider when I was in France).

Anybody else? Should I post this in different forums to hopefully get different responses (namely in the German and Eastern European sub forums) - or does that bother any mods ?

To be honest, I'd rather advice with regards to the areas mentioned in my OP (or the list of countries in that link I put), but links to institutions in different countries that hire abroad and have hired North Americans (and thus are willing to go through the visa hassles for me) are very welcome.

[nomad soul]

[spaceman spiff]

[nomad soul]

I suggest you post over on the general Europe, Germany, Latin America and Brazil forums.

[spaceman spiff]

Er... okay. Would you happen to have any advice yourself ?

Thanks anyways though - I will post in the sub forums then.

[nomad soul]

[JustinC]

Why no love for Asia? Look at a map, it's quite large.

[spaceman spiff]

[JustinC]

[spaceman spiff]

That's unfortunate to hear. I'd still be interested in hearing if my plan (ie: teaching both languages and getting involved in the independent art scene somehow) might work better, but I suppose my question is rather specific, and I'm not sure if many have had a similar experience.