Job Discussion Forums

[missy29]

Hello everyone

Needing some advice. I am currently teaching English at a language school in a small city in China. Have recently found out I'm expecting my first child with my ex-boyfriend. I'm planning on going back to the UK to have the baby and then would like to return back to China or to another country to start teaching again. I have completed a TESOL diploma and will have 7-8 months teaching experience when I leave.

Just wondering how employers will feel about a potential employee with a young child? Will it affect my chances of working abroad again?

Any advice would be much appreciated

Missy

[Glenski]

I would say it would make a lot of difference. They would have warranted concerns about daycare (especially if the country doesn't have much) and you taking time off for a sick child.

[queenbee]

I have been wondering the same and am finding that while I have the qualifications when mentioning that I have a 17 month old it becomes a turn off to overseas employers.

Many just don't want teachers with baby in tow. Most want single (no dependents) or couples (no dependents) which is understandable but for me frustrating.

*le sigh**

[spiral78]

I suppose if the market weren't currently in favour of employers (there are lots of teachers around in general these days) a baby or two might make less difference in terms of new hires.

On the aspect of after being hired, I have to say that I work on a team with a couple of parents of small kids. One is absolutely great in terms of carrying the normal workload in a reliable way - and one is absolute crap in this sense. It can get really tricky in terms of how you are perceived by work colleagues.

[tttompatz]

[missy29]

I have a BSc Degree in Psychology also. I'm thinking about doing a PGCE when the baby is abit older too. Hopefully this will increase my chances.

I've heard the Gulf is a good place to teach with young children. So, my next question - has anybody (young mothers) been successful with securing a job overseas with a young child?

Regards

[tttompatz]

[Glenski]

[tttompatz]

[santi84]

I have a four month old and I am currently on maternity leave.

I would strongly advise that you wait until the baby is born to decide what you would like to do & where you would like to go. It's very easy to try and plan these things in advance but life does not work that way, especially as a single mother.

Yes, the Middle East is very family friendly however you are a single unmarried mother without the ME standard qualifications. The judgment can be a bit harsh (I am also an unmarried mother!) in many places - Korea, China, etc. the ME would be even worse as you can imagine. I do recall knowing a single mother in Egypt, but she was not an EFL teacher (scuba instructor). I'm not sure how she dealt with the school/daycare issue.

Trying for a PGCE and getting some experience would be a much better long-term solution for you and your child. The experience and PGCE would allow you to get a better job overseas and would make life less stressful in many ways.

Good luck to you! I was planning on getting my MA in TESOL but that's on hold as well because of the baby. Long-term solutions are really the best option when a child is involved, especially if you are a single parent, just for the security it affords.

[queenbee]

Any recommendations on "single mom" friendly countries? Thanks.

[spiral78]

Pay in the Euro region is very rarely enough to afford child care, unless you've the right passport (UK) and upper level qualifications to land a (rare) university position.

I wouldn't say this region is especially friendly to single parents at all, in 95% of cases.