Single Parent ESL Teachers

Nanabijou · Post by **Nanabijou** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 10:53 am

I have just graduated from university (finally at age 28) and have completed my ESL teacher certification this spring. I have a daughter who is 8 years old, and I am VERY interested in teaching abroad. The thing is, I'm finding it difficult to find any info/advice for parents who wish to live abroad and teach ESL. I suspect it's because there are not many of us? Suffice to say, if anyone knows anyone who has done this, or might lead me to some forums or discussions with people who have experience or friends/co-workers with children (who are living abroad) I would really appreciate it!!!! We're from Canada, and wish to move this summer. I'm not sure where to try finding a job, but my first pick is Japan. Can anyone help? I'm getting really desperate!
Thanks ever so much!

Sally Olsen · Post by **Sally Olsen** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 6:54 pm

Good on you! I have had several friends who have had successful experiences with taking their children and one who didn't. I guess if you are considering going, you understand your daughter and know she is flexible. Japan is a great place to start because it is, on the surface, at least, more Western in many outward aspects. Your daughter will probably love "Hello Kitty" and the myriad other things for kids. You get a good salary and can save something for the future. It can be very positive for your relationship because you will be thrown together in close quarters and have to rely on each other for company, at least at first. Of course, it depends where you are going, what facilies are available for looking after your daughter but your school will no doubt help. Japanese schools are very different and the school culture is enormously different so be prepared for a reaction. In a similar situation, I would make sure I had good backups for the times when she is "sick" and can't take school. There are many underemployed and unemployed young women and everyone has an cousin they can recommend. It will help if you have time to yourself once in awhile too because living in a 9 by 12 room does stretch the patience of two people who are not used to it. Take lots of warm fuzzies from home to make it as home like as possible and lots of school books of her age in case school doesn't work and she has to have a private tutor. Be careful what school you join. Some of them won't let you out of the building for the hours that you work and that could be disasterous if you have a crisis. Make sure you get a good medical plan - there is no one to look after people in the hospitals and you have to do that yourself - meals and changing beds and clothes, etc. so again you need good backup. Food probably won't be much of a problem as you can get almost everything. The friend who had a problem hadn't really asked her son if he wanted to go - she was in a financial position that necessitated the move and just went. He determined not to like it and eventually had to be sent home to grandparents for three years until her contract was up. But I am sure that you know the positives - her learning Japanese quickly and well, meeting new friends, going wonderful places and seeing wonderful things. The worst time is just after Christmas when you have missed family and it is cold and wet. You have to get yourself through February and March and all will be OK when the cherry blossoms come. You will be working more than you want and harder than you realized so take good care of yourself and make time for fun. Depending on your wishes you will get lots of proposals of the illegitimate and legitimate kind - makes life interesting. Just be careful that she doesn't get similar ones and can handle it if she does. The places I have been are not more dangerous than the big cities in Canada but you still need to be careful. Find your job on Dave's International Job Board. A private school can be wonderful because the owner will treat you like family. Of course, it can be disasterous too - check the posts here on Japan and schools to avoid. You could try the JET program - they pay really well and have good backups and have done it for a long time. It is frustrating teaching sometimes but you can get a great post and they usually are in the countryside. I prefer to trust my luck and take the first job up on the International Job Board, but I am crazy and have been super lucky.

LarryLatham · Post by **LarryLatham** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 6:40 am

You might also want to look into teaching in Taipei. Most of what Sally said about Japan also applies in Taiwan. My son was 7 when my wife and I moved to Taipei to begin my English teaching career. I had a wonderful time, my wife (who didn't teach) tolerated it pretty well, and my son blossomed beautifully there, although he had to repeat the first grade (not much to his liking) because he went there with no knowledge of Mandarin. He went to regular public school. By the time we left four years later, he was fluent and native-like. There is lots of work teaching children; somewhat less so for teaching adults, if that is your preference. I preferred working with adults and did find great jobs, so it is certainly possible. If you and your family can be flexible (about almost everything), your chances for having a wonderful experience will be tremendously enhanced.

Good luck.

Larry Latham