Job Discussion Forums

stacers · Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Toronto, Canada

So imagine you're part of a couple: you both have TESOL certificates, but one of you does not have a degree.
This is my situation.
While I have a degree, and thus, a lot of choice where I might be able to (at least) pursue finding work, my boyfriend does not. While I am OK with the idea of lower wages and less choice as far as work options are concerned, it would be great to have an idea of where those 'fewer' opportunities might be.
And along the same lines, does anyone think it might be possible for my degree to somehow get us both considered in a place where we otherwise might not?
We're Canadians, by the way. Thanks.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

You can get work legally in much of Central/Eastern Europe and the countries don't generally legally require first degrees.

(I'm referring the Czech Rep, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, etc)

However, you would be competing with significant numbers of newbies with certification AND degrees. Not likely to get the best positions, and ALL newbie positions in these countries pay just subsistence wages. NOT enough to save, pay back debts at home, or travel extensively outside the country.

Further, if you're referring to GLOBAL TESOL, you will be at a significant disadvantage, because the minimum newbie cert for Europe in general is 100+ hours on site, with at least 6 hours of practice teaching of REAL students - not peer teachers - and feedback from experienced teacher trainers.

If your cert is less than this, and one of you has no degree, you'll really be at the bottom of the food chain. Imagine being able to make ends meet every month, but a new pair of shoes is a significant expense.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

By the way - sorry for additional bad news - but CVs are an individual thing. Your degree isnt' going to do your partner any good -anywhere, I don't think.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Being a married couple is one thing, but you are not. Married couples at least have the opportunity to get the degree holder a work visa, while the other one can get a dependent visa (in Japan anyway).

Depending on your ages, you may be eligible for working holiday visas. Short term (1 year max), but better than nothing.

rusmeister · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 867 Location: Russia

I second what Glenski said.
Most countries still see a difference between people who have some kind of legal agreement (ie, marriage) and people who don't.

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

Wow folks,I'm surprised !China is usually the first country that pops up with this OPs question,but China too has a glut of foreigners (can you say ESL is becoming saturated......so what does that speak of our home markets ? See my posting on "Backpacking")
China seems like the best bet. From what I gather Europe is terribly UK-English and qualifications minded, not to forget the EU passport hurdle.Then too,you have the luxury of being working poor in Europe - And in my opinion: poor is poor. The one with the degree applies and mentions that there are two people willing to teach; they'd be attracted to the two teacher possibility.
Cheers

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

All that having been said, the farther you go away from where there is a ready pool of teachers, the easier it is to get a job.

I had not taught since I was a graduate assistant in Chemistry, but I got on in Siberia because I was the best available (Hobb's ) choice. Let us now praise dumb luck.

Yer chances in a big european city are close to nil. But.....

As to being married or not, if they need teachers they aren't going to care if you are living with an Aardvark as long as you don't carry on shamelessly in the street.

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

Ha! Whaddaya know? If you tippy-toe over to the Russia C.I.S. board, what do I see but a nice man looking for some native speaker type English teacher persons to come to Ekaterienburg. There is a conspicuous lack of any mention of degrees or qualifications. Perhaps the OP would like to deliver blows to ferrous materials at the proper temperature.

Ekaterienburg isn't that bad. They have a decentish Italian restaurant and a puppet theater. There is even a US consulate and a Scottish pub by the opera house.

I have it on good authority that the old Uralmash plant is the rough part of town.

Tally-ho!

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

My husband and I plan on doing the same. Thing is I'm a native speaker and he has basic English, yet has been offered a couple jobs in China.
WE're thinking that he'll get the visa because of me and then can work online or open our own business online.

miski2 · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 52 Location: Kuwait

Your local council........