Job Discussion Forums

[robertokun]

Hi guys and gals,

I did a search for "M.A. TESOL AND Couples" and found that a lot of the info was either very outdated, aimed towards couples teaching at American/International schools (K-12 certified teaching,) or about couples where one partner is qualified and the other is not (usually aiming for low-level backpacker type jobs in SE Asia.)

I'm wondering if anyone could give me up to date tips on where a couple (not married, no children) that both have M.A. TESOL degrees and a few years of teaching experience each under their belts can find really good jobs together. We can find them separately no problem and we've already had interviews for good jobs, but of course it's difficult to search separately and hope to land at the same place or in the same city.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

[tttompatz]

[nomad soul]

It sounds like you're essentially looking for teaching situations that are both in abundance and in culturally-liberal countries so that you can be together as a couple. (This latter condition rules out the Middle East.) Are you hoping to market yourselves as a teaching couple? If so, consider this could present a logistical problem or even affect societal concerns or personal biases on the part of the employer. Maybe the best tip is to stick with job-hunting separately, targeting teaching gigs in a non-conservative, highly-populated region like Asia, as Tttompatz suggested. Additionally, during your interviews and if offered positions, you both should refrain from mentioning anything about having a relationship. That is, after being hired, you present yourselves as separate for a time before appearing to others as a couple and entertaining any ideas about cohabiting.

[Glenski]

If you are an unmarried couple, you simply look like 2 separate people to immigration and to employers. No connection whatsoever to bind you to any visa agreements (like a dependent visa) or to work (unless an employer is willing to accept a long-term relationship as closely as a marriage).

What I'm saying is, you are each on your own, IMO.

What country(ies) would you like to pursue? That may be a better way to approach questions on this forum.

Many employers don't want to consider couples because it means to them that they will lose 2 people during vacation and end of contracts, it potentially means bringing relationship spats to work, and perhaps more. All I can say is that if you want to work in the same city, do your best to find the work there, and look into that option first. If someone happens to advertise for 2 jobs in the same company, all the better, but realize that even that sort of thing may mean different branch offices, not the same building.

Whenever couples of any nature write to ask about working in the same company, I always wonder why.

[Zero]

There is no "we." There is no couple. "But marriage is just a piece of paper," you say. "It is obsolete." Not in this case. It's like Glenski said.

If you want the benefits of a couple, you'll have to be a couple. Otherwise you're just buddies playing house.

[robertokun]

Yeah, I hear you everybody. Actually, we're pretty much on the route that Nomad Soul plotted out. A big city with plentiful jobs of the type we're aiming for seems like the no-brainer. So maybe it's a stupid question, but I thought I'd open up the forum to see if there are other options that people know of. I was intentionally country unspecific, because I don't want to limit the search.

[contented]

I know two couples who managed to work at the same school. One couple was married and the other wasn't. They worked in different areas (primary-middle-high school) and both couples moved on to different countries after their contract finished. So, it can be done; finding jobs together at the same school, but I don't think it's easy nor the norm.

[naturegirl321]

You're going to have to go at it on your own. Pick a couple of big cities and see if you can both get good jobs there. Or apply to the same schools. If it's a liberal country, you might be able to both ask for a housing allowance, pool your money, and get a decent place.

[coledavis]

Keep looking at the ads; there are occasional requirements for teaching couples.

[nomad soul]

[MotherF]

I know and have known many unmarried couples working in Mexico, several at the same school--but you both have to get the job on your own merits. In Mexico a spouce visa does not allow for paid work so you'd each have your own visa, married or not. Outside of work, most people will assume your married, and it's better just to go with that assumption, but it's not as much of a big deal as it might be in other places. Getting married is an expensive activity in Mexico so it's not uncommon to find couples who haven't gotten around to it yet.

[sharter]

Just a thought...why don't you get one of those sort of legal Vegas type marriage certificates? In the Middle East there are options. In Qatar there's an ordained guy who does weddings and issues a marriage certificate. The embassy stamps it and that's all immigration needs. You're not legally married in the US/Canada. I know plenty of couples who cohabited in the Gulf. You can also say you're betrothed sort of thing.....fiancee sounds better to someone in the Middle East....that's respectable. Even better...say you've come to the Gulf to get married once you've saved enough.

[naturegirl321]

[robertokun]

Sharter, those are some interesting thoughts. I knew someone would see it from a different angle.

[sharter]

Totally wrong Naturegirl-I know cos I did it. Just can't remember the fella's name who did the 'bedu wedding'.

I know folks who've got the Thai certificate too......not worth the paper it's written on back home but enough to get you in .