Job Discussion Forums

[mimicik]

Either too many options or not enough, we can't decide.

I am an American TEFL certified, NYU degree holding ESL teacher with experience. Currently I live and teach kindergarten in Thailand and online, but I have experience with adults and privates as well. In other words, I shouldn't have a problem finding work anywhere, except probably Europe, because I am American and don't have an EU passport.

My partner is French, doesn't have a degree but has experience teaching privates. He can also do restaurant/bar work and odd jobs, assuming there is work to be had.

The problem is he can't work in Thailand because he doesn't have a degree and there's not a great need for French teachers. I previously worked in Turkey and think we could both find work there. If we moved to Europe we would get a PACS so I could legally work there, but I'm not sure I could find it because of the British competition.

So my question is, where are the best countries to work for an American/French couple? Do you think I could find decent work in France (probably the Monaco area)? Are there countries in Asia where there is a demand for French teachers, even without a degree?

Any direction you could point us in would be much appreciated! Thank you!

[sojourner]

Mimicik,

Have you ever considered Vietnam ? As it was once a French colony, it's possible that there could still be people in that country who are interested in the French language and culture.Why not post a query to Dave's Vietnam Forum.


Also, you might want to consider China. As a native-born speaker of English, you would have no problem in finding a job at a uni.Apart from English, it would appear that most Humanities students also study a second foreign language ( usually Japanese, Korean, German - and French). To teach a foreign language in China one is supposed to have at least a Bachelor's degree - however, many unis, especially those that are "off the beaten track", are sometimes quite "flexible" re degree requirements. So, if you were to be offered a job there, you might want to mention something about your French partner who is keen to teach his mother tongue - something might be arranged to get over any legal hurdles !

Also, you might want to consider Russia and the other countries of eastern and central Europe.

I noticed that some time back, in another thread, someone recommended West Sumatra to you.Did you check it out ? The place seems quite idyllic !

Good luck !

[sojourner]

I should point out that in Chinese unis, whenever they happen to offer courses in languages such as French and German, such teachers, it would appear, are invariably Chinese - and the focus is often on reading and writing..The prospect of having a native-French speaker on the teaching staff - to help with pronunciation, proper use of idioms, etc - would certainly appeal to those unis !

[tttompatz]

OP:

It would, at this point in time, almost be easier to list those countries on the planet (great swaths of them) where he cannot get legal work, at least as a teacher, without a degree in something.

You are also aware that under the ASEAN treaties, effective in 2015 ALL teachers (not just EFL teachers) will be required to have a degree / teacher's license in ALL 10 of the ASEAN countries (for legal work)? This effectively closes off the (legal) "teaching" option in all of East and SE Asia.

Even if/where there is a demand for French teachers his lack of a degree will be an issue that makes finding legal work as a teacher virtually impossible outside of the EU.

.

[teacher4life]

France is probably your best option. Let's see what the Supreme Court decides on the gay marriage thing before recommending America...

[santi84]

Do you have a working knowledge of French? Can you order a coffee or rent a DVD at a store?

If so, Quebec may actually be an option for you. Americans don't get into Canada easily, but if one of you is a native speaker and the other one has minimal working knowledge, Quebec immigration might be interested (it's a separate process from the rest of the English-speaking part of the country). You could get work in ESL easily, and he could work in whatever field he wants.

The cost of living here is fairly low and while the weather is not as great as Thailand or Turkey, it is still a viable option

[spiral78]

[mimicik222]

Thanks for all the replies! He is going back to France this weekend to work and then we will figure it out. To clarify, I am female and he is male so gay marriage isn't a problem However looking at the visa requirements, time frame, and cost of a spousal visa is already overwhelming - I can't imagine how stressful it must be to go through it (where red tape beats out romance...)

Anyway, we are considering the options. I have a lot of 'foreign' friends in NYC who live and work there, not sure if they are on student visas or under the table marriages or what. I have also considered the Caribbean, but it looks like those laws fall under EU -or- US.

So now the question is...stay apart, work and save as much as possible, then try again in a year; get married now and suffer through the first six months with little to no money then pray one of us can find work immediately in the other country; move to the magical island where EU and US citizens can live out their days without the red tape (though I am losing hope on this option).

Researched fiance visas too, you have to get married within three months in the US, but does anyone know if you can work while you are on one in the US? France has nothing of the sort.

Not too keen on a move back to the States, but the things we do for love...

Are there any EU territories that have a dire need for English teachers? Or resort areas perhaps. I'm OK with under the table work.

Speaking of, when I worked in Turkey I would do border runs every three months, now I hear you have to have a work visa. Would his lack of degree effect this if we moved back to Istanbul? (Probably for the Turkey forum).

Thanks everyone! Wish us luck...

[tttompatz]

His lack of a degree will be a kicker almost anywhere/everywhere a visa is a requirement (in reference to being a teacher).

The days of the back-packer teacher are quickly going the way of the Dodo bird (even in the less developed nations).

There are no "easy" options at this point.

You can find a job and support him.

He can go home and find a job and support you (while you get the paperwork done to legitimize your status); then you can also find work.

In case you haven't got that far yet (in reference to the fiance visa in the US) he cannot work until his status is adjusted (gets his green card) or he will just join the rest of the Mexican fruit pickers in the direct sights of the GOP (AND risk his status in the US by doing so).

.

[HLJHLJ]

Regardless of what your home countries think, being married may provide opportunities in other countries. It varies massively from country to country, but many places have much slacker regulations for dependents than for the primary visa holder. For example, if you were married and you got a job in Japan, he can apply for permission to work, which allows for almost 30 hours a week work regardless of qualifications. Some countries don't allow dependents to work at all, others are very generous, so you will need to narrow the search down a bit and check them out individually.

[sparks]

I'll suggest looking into Central Europe (Poland, Czech, Slovakia). You may both be able to find work teaching your native languages. Certainly people here study French and English schools are everywhere.