Job Discussion Forums

[grshppr1977]

My partner and I, both college graduates (or soon to be) are seriously considering teaching english as our next move. I have not seen much general advice about teaching with children (and I understand it's not too common).

We currently live in Portland, OR. I have a BS in health education, and my husband will have a BS in liberal studies at the end of March. Neither of us have any EFL teaching experience. What would people recommend in terms of (if any) certification? Are there certification schools that offer childcare (or have trusted locals nearby)? Or should we go an online route with an in-person intensive at the end? Our daughter will be five in June.

Are there countries/schools/teaching situations that are better/worse for a teaching couple with children? We'd like to go to a spanish-speaking country, but are willing to look elsewhere.

Initially, we'd both plan on teaching, and having our daughter either in the school, or cared for by a local (is this reasonable?).

We don't need to earn much more than living expenses, airfare home once a year (if not included), and student loan payments back home.

If there are any specific forums for parent-teachers, or people who would be willing to privately communicate with advice, I'd welcome links and contacts too.

[Justin Trullinger]

Welcome to the boards!

I don't think that teaching overseas with kids is all that uncommon; a lot of regular posters here are parents. (I'm not, as it happens, but have a lot of friends in this circumstance.)

Not to put a damper on your plans, though, but I think this is something you're going to find very difficult. Most of the parents on this board are quite experienced and trained, which is what enables them to support families.

I can speak somewhat about Latin America and Spain, having spent time in both- entry level salaries are generally not much to support a family on. Unless you could get into an international school or something of that nature, three flights home a year, family housing, and student loan payments....very hard to do.

There may be countries where this is possible, but honestly, for your situation, I don't know of any. Think of it this way- hiring folks with kids is going to be a hassle for the employer. (One more visa, and a couple who are likely to struggle more to adapt, have more likelihood of not working out, possibilities of sick kid days off work...the hassles are real.) Why would an employer take on these hassles, if there are plenty of childless applicants with equivalent qualifications or better?

The answer is...if you had something extra to offer, you'd be in a different place. A lot of the parents around here have MAs, considerable experience...you see what I mean.

Sorry if this is perceived as raining on your parade, but it is my experience.

Best regards,
Justin

[naturegirl321]

Have you tried a search? This has been discussed a lot.

BAsically, with no teaching licenses, yup'll be teaching at language schools, maybe earning 1000 usd a month, if you're lucky. It's more like 600usd in Peru. Now, while you're working, who will be taking care of your daughter?

What about school? She could go to a local school, she's young enough to learn the language? BUt what about the quality of education?

And forget about intl schools, on a TEFLer salary, you won' tbe able to afford it. Unless you have lots and lots of savings.

eaching english as our next move. I have not seen much general advice about teaching with children (and I understand it's not too common).

You could homeschool, but with both of you teaching FT, it will be challenging.

It's plausible, for a year possibly. YOu could even put your daughter in a nursey so she could learn the language and then go back home. BUt if you want to do it long term, money is going to be a major issue.

Also, ask about visas. In Peru, language schools don't get you visas. Most work illegally. Mexico is a good option. Forget about Spain.

Student loan payment? HOw much do you have to pay per month? Let's say you both earn 1K a month, a VERY good salary for a TEFL teacher in Latin America. Subtract housing, transport, daycare, food. WIll you have enough left over to pay for your loan? On the low end, housing would be 300, transport 200, daycare, 200, food, 300. That's 1K. And that's on the low end, while the salary is on the high end. ANd don't forget about taxes, they're 15 to 20 percent here in Peru.

Like I said, it's possible, but you're going to have to crunch numbers. I just PMed you.

[naturegirl321]

One more thing that has to be said. Many of the posters here who are parents have spouses/partners who are locals. This helps as far as visas and childcare go. AS well as language and education.

It is possible, but as far as entry level jobs go, with no certs or experience, it'll be very very difficult.

[johnslat]

It would seem that the 5 posts before one can send/receive PMs rule has been done away with.

Hurrah!

[grshppr1977]

Thank you for your frankness. I appreciate the honesty.

Sounds like we need to do more in depth thinking and exploring of this option. Our student loans are not that much (probably in the $50-200 range combined) and we do well living on little (we both have been full-time students for the past three years).

We'd love to work somewhere spanish is spoken as we both have some of that language already, and, it seems to be the most advantageous language to have here in the US as a second language. We figure now is the time, when kiddo is young and can pick up the second language the easiest.

Thanks again!

[naturegirl321]

One thing must be said about learning another langauge. While your daughter may learn it qcuikly now. Unless you keep it up, she'll forget it as well.

[scot47]

It used to be quite common to see couples with children teaching in the Middle East. Less so now as the number of employers prepared to pay educational allowances falls.

I would suggest that you get teacher certification where you are, get a few years experience and then look for a job in one of the international schools.

I know you want something NOW, but sometimes you have to defer nice things to a future date.