Many schools prefer to hire teaching couples as they are seen as more stable, notes Sharon Couzens de Hinojosa in her latest monthly column. Sharon discusses here the advantages of trying to apply early on in the recruiting season, when more jobs are open…
Towards the end of the recruiting season, there are less jobs available and less chance that you will find a position together. There are usually two types of couples as far as visas are concerned, married and unmarried. Some countries, such as Australia have common law visa laws, so check with the embassy of the country you want to go to.
Married Partner
If you’re married things will be a bit easier. Most country allow spousal visas meaning that if one if you gets a job, you can ask for a visa for your spouse. Some countries have restrictions on if and how many hours your spouse can work. Korea for example, doesn’t let people on spousal / dependent visas work legally. Other countries will let spousal visa holders work part or full-time. The best thing to do is ask beforehand. If you’re both English teachers, you may be able to find jobs with the same employers, this may also affect your benefits as well. For example, if your employer usually pays for housing, one of you could negotiate a raise since you will be sharing an apartment.
Unmarried Partner
If you’re not married, things get a little more difficult. Countries don’t tend to accept common law marriages, there are exceptions, such as Australia. But the majority of them will not get your partner a visa if you’re not married. That leaves your partner with a couple of options: finding a job and getting his or her own visa or border hopping. If you’re both English teachers, you may be able to find jobs with the same employers, this may also affect your benefits as well. For example, if your employer usually pays for housing, one of you could negotiate a raise since you will be sharing an apartment.
Keep in mind that some countries aren’t too keen on unmarried couples living together, so this may hinder which country you can teach in. Larger cities are usually more accepting than smaller towns.
Teaching English
Your home country has a lot to do with where in the world you can work. For example, Americans will be hard pressed to get a work visa in places such as Spain, Italy or Greece (it CAN be done, but few and far between have been able to get a work visa). In general, many of the “old” EU countries are making it hard and harder for non-EU members to work there. It’s much easier for them to hire a Brit for example, who doesn’t need a work visa, than have to do all the paperwork involved for an American, for example.
If your partner wants to teach English, getting the visa is one thing, another is being qualified to teach. Most employers want a native or near native experience and a degree holder (this requirement may be waved if you can prove substantial teaching experience) a TEFL certificate may also be required as well. If your partner doesn’t want to teach English, but would like to work, there are other possibilities as well.
Working
If your partner doesn’t want to teach English, than he or she will have to look at other possibilities. The best paying ones are those that will transfer your spouse to the country of your choice. These will often offer expat deals, such as housing, flights, schooling, etc.
Not Working
If working isn’t an option, your partner will have to find something else to do while living abroad. It’s often easier when the man is working and the woman is staying at home, however, if the roles are reversed it can still work. Whether it’s the man or the woman that stays at home, there are options, such as volunteering, studying the language, working online, raising a family, or picking up a couple of private classes, are just a few ideas. Going without a plan of how to fill your time can be very dangerous. The person staying home can feel bored and out of place (especially if they don’t speak the local language), and the person working can be felt taken advantage of for earning all the money. Also remember, you will have to plan carefully to make sure that your budget can handle whatever decision you make.
Sharon’s websites
www.tefltips.blogspot.com
www.theultimateperulist.blogspot.com
www.thelajoblist.blogspot.com
