Job Discussion Forums

[Ecmears]

Hello,

I'm looking for some advice and I'm a bit overwhelmed!

There seems to be an abundance of jobs advertised everywhere and if it had been just myself, I would apply and be off like a shot.

However, I have two small children (1 and 3.5 years old) and my Fiance to consider. Where ever we locate we need to be somewhere that's obviously safe, but also family friendly. Ideally, we would like to work in Asia/East Asia as my better half would like to be roughly in this area for his job.

Do any of you have any suggestions that I should check out or places I should avoid? Have any of you relocated to teach, taking your family along with you and can share a little knowledge on how you went about it?

I have a BA Business Hons Degree and CertTesol and some teaching experience.

Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Many thanks.

[nomad soul]

China comes to mind and possibly Hong Kong.

I suggest posting over on the General Asia Forum for more exposure to your questions. Be specific about your ESOL teaching experience.

[Ecmears]

Thanks nomad soul for your speedy response!

Hong Kong has always held a wee spot in my heart, as I visited there as a teenager and loved it. I will be sure to check it out! I'll post on the Asia forum too... should have done that in the first place.

Many thanks!

[Jmbf]

Hong Kong does seem to fit the bill for you. I have a child here and I know many other teachers who also have children here. Personal safety is among the best I've experienced anywhere in the world. Convenience (for getting around) and access to western goods / services / restaurants is amazing. The health care system is also excellent.

However, the cost of living with kids is high. If you can command a higher income you will be ok but you may struggle on a lesser salary. Also, as your kids get older you will have to make a choice between international schools and local schools. Both have their pros and cons. You will need to choose a local school carefully as many are very traditional with too much focus on rote learning. Some local schools are very good although they are competitive to get into. On the other hand going the international route can be very expensive and not all international schools are up to scratch academically in my opinion.

[nomad soul]

[Jmbf]

[Ecmears]

Thanks Jmbf,

Sorry for the late reply. It's good to hear that there are others out there with children, despite the challenges moving and living with them in a different country can throw up. My other half is an Engineer so hopefully he should find work relatively easily and we've got a wee bit stashed away for getting settled wherever we end up.

I've got a bit of time to look at schools, but I don't want to leave the UK until I have a good idea of what the local and private establishments will be like for my own two.

Again, thank you for taking the time to respond and I'll get posting on the Asian board too.

Cheers!

[Trina Marlow]

I would suggest New Zealand or Norway.

[Jmbf]

[santi84]

[hotmetaldobermans]

I'll second Hong Kong.

Taiwan is a really safe, nice place, with really nice people, but supposedly a tough environment for ESL. I haven't worked there. I will say that the near-dead Dave's Taiwan board paints a much darker picture, than what I've heard is reality, from people I've spoken with who are there.

I think Mainland China would be rough on the little ones, mainly, the air, dirt, and general harshness of it all.

[LarssonCrew]

Agree about Mainland.

Why would you expose your kids to the equivalent of smoking 40 or 50 a day?

And them being made to feel entirely different from people around them. You'll have mainland farmers constantly commenting, touching, picking up, wanting photos etc. with your kids.

And also hygiene and hospital standards are extremely low.