Job Discussion Forums

[chuchaqui]

Ok so here is the deal,

I am 26 years old, male, newly married with a wife and a baby on the way. I met my wife, who is from Ecuador, while teaching English there. I have always desired to make living and teaching abroad a reality for myself and my family. However, I realize that I cannot do so at the risk of financially neglecting my family.

I am looking for career advice. I have a BA and MA in Spanish and TEFL certificate. Currently, I teach Spanish at the secondary school and Junior College levels in the US. I have strongly considered getting my MA in TESOL, even if to only teach ESOL to foreigners here in the US. However, I want the best financial situation for my family; it would not make sense to spend two or three years not generating any positive income if, in so doing, I would merely succeed in garnering an ESOL job in the US, which would undoubtedly offer remuneration equal to that of a Spanish position.

From what I can gather, it seems that getting an MA degree in ESOL/TESOL or Applied Linguistics is really the only sure-fire way to get a job that pays well enough to support a family while living comfortably (have benefits, be able to travel back home every so often). Keeping my family situation in mind, teaching at an American or International School seems to be the only viable career option for my family and me (if there are other options, I am all ears).

My wife is not a teacher and I have read that American and International schools often frown upon hiring married couples unless both parties can teach; when dependants are involved, these schools are even more reluctant to spend money on airfare, insurance, and larger houses for larger families. The rationale makes sense: why spend money on three people to get one teacher when you could get a single teacher with no family for much less?

I have been accepted to get an MA in TESOL and want to commence my studies this year or next. Will the quantity and quality of employment opportunities available to me OUTSIDE of North America rationalize this decision to go back to school and not make money for a few years? What are the short and long term implications of doing so? Is it possible my way of thinking is off-track, might there be any other options abroad I have overlooked?

I have a good job teaching Spanish and can always just continue to do so in the US, it�s not too bad (not too good either) but I would strongly prefer to provide for my family while living abroad and raising multi-lingual, multi-cultural children (that and I just can�t stand the thought of them growing up in the fattest country in the world).

Please help me! Any information is appreciated.

Thanks.

[Doglover]

chuchaqui

I read your post and want to give my two cents worth.

To be honest, with a Masters in TESOL, the positions in the US are just not there to be honest unless you have extensive experience. I have a friend who came back from japan and is now in the US teaching at a community college. Last I hear he is just getting by.he has four kids as well and has a PhD . I can put you in touch if you are interested.

The best paying jobs for experienced people with Masters degrees in TESOL are in Asian countries such as Korea Japan and Taiwan. There are jobs in China too, but pay is very low, with average salary in China at around $500 a month. This is really where the jobs and students are.

Unless you have an EU passport it is next to impossible for Americans and non-EU passport holders to work in Europe.


I myself am in Japan, teach full time at a university here and support a wife and two children on my teaching income. University jobs here start at around $US 50,000 a year and are based on age, qualifications and experience. You can save enough to fund a pension, maybe buy a car and travel overseas every few years. I know teachers who save deposits on houses.

Im not sure if you want to teach here in Asia, but i can offer you advice if you need it. You wont walk into university jobs here with no experiience in japan or in Asia, and you will have to 'pay your dues' first. International schools exist here, but at those you are teaching English native speakers, not non-native speakers, so a TESOL degree is a waste IMO.

Jobs are also in the Middle East but with the current politcial situation so volatile I would avoid there if possible. Its pretty hard for women in some of these countries as well.

Let me know where you are interested in and what you are prepared to consider and we can go from there.

[guty]

[Doglover]

[guty]

Am I missing something here?
A 3 year full time Masters course? Or was it part time?

Doglover,
two is just being greedy

[Doglover]

[tedkarma]

[Doglover]

[dmb]

In the more liberal gulf states(Qatar, UAE, Bahrain) women don't have to be covered, can drive and no they are not dry(the countries that is). as for nightlife? What did you have in mind? as mentioned before it would be best to post in the ME forums..... or wait for a response from VS

[chinagirl]

OP - Don't give up. There are some good jobs abroad for certified teachers. In terms of teaching in an international school, you are correct in saying that dependent spouses are usually frowned upon, as international schools do like to hire teaching couples.

That said, every situation varies. They usually always require qualified teachers with public school certification and usually 2 years of experience in the certification area. You would probably do well to apply as both a Spanish and an ESOL teacher.

I've heard that some of the experience requriements are a little more flexible in Latin America. Have you looked at ISS and Search Associates?

http://www.iss.edu/index.html

http://www.search-associates.com/

[daily chai]

There are MA TESOL degrees in Japan... I think I came across one in conjunction with Columbia U in NY. You can also consider a distance degree. U-Shenandoah has one, and IU-Bloomington has one in Lang Ed with an ESL specialization. I'm in that program now. It's pretty good.

I heard the same thing about teaching ESL in America at the postsecondary level. There are jobs for teachign schoolchildren, but the post-9/11 student visa changes have decreased demand for college ESL classes.

Keep searching. It sounds like the right opportunity hasn't presented itself.

[Doglover]

[Doglover]

Try also the University of Anaheim

http://www.anaheim.edu/edu/


Top flight teachers (Nunan/Ellis) with an on-campus residency in Hawaii and I think at time of writing they are just getting their regional accreditation as a bona-fide university.

Columbia is in Japan as well as Temple University.

[Gordon]

[Doglover]