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Living overseas

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Original poster

Teaching abroad when your dp/dh is not a teacher

14 replies

twinklytroll · 04/12/2011 22:35

I am thinking about teaching abroad in the next few years, nothing definite just throwing around ideas.

Has anyone done this with a partner or husband who does not teach? If you are living in a school compound how realistic is it that your partner will get a job?

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RealLifeIsForWimps · 05/12/2011 12:21

I imagine the experience varies hugely from country to country. Certainly in HK, no teachers I know are married to other teachers, but then nor do they live on school compounds- you just get an allowance and live where you want/can afford.

Where did you have in mind, and are you looking to teach English (eg TEFL), or teach in a international school, or teach in a local school?

ImpYCelynAndTheIvy · 05/12/2011 12:34

Some friends have gone off to do this, the DH has a teaching job and the DW doesn't, despite being a teacher. There was no work available for her.

But, they get the majority of their rent paid and the salary is good, so they are able to live on the one teaching job. Plus their DC get to go to an otherwise very expensive school for free.

I think the DW has managed to get a little bit of evening tutoring, and it's enough to make an impact financially.

empirestateofmind · 05/12/2011 12:39

I teach abroad and my DH is not a teacher. It depends how you are going to go about it. Schools usually have "local" contracts and "expat"contracts. You are on a local if you are recruited locally or if you are the spouse of someone who is being posted abroad. If the school are paying for flights, rent, healthcare you are on an expat contract.

If you apply for a job from the TES and get recruited in London then you will get a package of benefits but schools vary enormously in what this covers.

Getting a work permit isn't necessarily easy for a following spouse, it depends on their skills and on the country.

mirai · 05/12/2011 12:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
twinklytroll · 05/12/2011 19:11

We are thinking Africa firstly and perhaps middle east. I was wondering if it might be an issue in quite "conservative countries " for a man to be supported by his partner.

OP posts:
Original poster
twinklytroll · 05/12/2011 19:11

Dp does not want to go if he cannot work.

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RealLifeIsForWimps · 06/12/2011 09:30

I don't think it's a massive issue to be supported by your wife. I met a few male trailing spouses in Dubai. However, what you need to find out is whether "dependents" are allowed to work without a separate visa, and also, if there's work available.

You mention Africa- if you're going to teach in an international school (eg private school for expats and rich locals) then you're likely to be in an expat hub, and there's more likely to be an English speaking economy and companies that employ a lot of expats. If you're thinking about doing a VSO-type posting for locals in a remote village, then it will probably be very hard to get work.

Middle East is potentially easier- essentially an English speaking business community and work in finance, energy and construction and their associatd services (law, accountancy)

What does your husband do?

Original poster
twinklytroll · 06/12/2011 20:36

Thanks real life that is very good advice.

Dp is a design engineer.

He currently works part time and being from quite a macho culture that was a big ask of him as I am the breadwinner. I have to respect the fact that this may a step too far for him if he cannot work.

It is an international school and there is an expat community. I have contacted the school again to enquire about the situation as they were quite vague.

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RealLifeIsForWimps · 07/12/2011 05:50

One issue you will likely have in the Middle East (and possibly in Africa- I don't know) is that he's a DP not a DH. In most ME countries, unmarried partners cannot get a dependent's visa. In fact in most ME countries, it's illegal to live with a non-married partner. People do do it (in Dubai at least) but the unmarried partner is not entitled to residency so they either have to do visa runs (i.e. stay on a tourist visa) or sort their own job and get a visa that way.

Can be a logistical nightmare re accessing healthcare, being able to drive etc.

I would check this with the school

Original poster
twinklytroll · 07/12/2011 20:22

We know that Reallife, we are getting married anyway and neither of us is that concerned about the ceremony , if needs be we will pop to a registry office. The school I am talking to will only take me as a single woman or a married one.

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RealLifeIsForWimps · 07/12/2011 23:03

Ah ok. Just thought I'd mention it as many people don't realise this is the case. Congratulations on your impending wedding Smile

Original poster
twinklytroll · 07/12/2011 23:56

Thanks there is not much to congratulate . It is a wedding for practical reasons.

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mirai · 08/12/2011 04:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
twinklytroll · 08/12/2011 20:57

My dp is my forever person, I would very much like us to be married but have rather ambivalent feelings about an actual wedding day.

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