Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa of TEFL Tips discusses the pros and cons of the TEFL life for the single parent
First things first, you’ll have to talk to your child about the move. In general, it’s easier for younger children to adjust and older ones might rebel. Teaching as a single parent abroad is similar to living in your home country as a single parent. You will have the same worries abroad as you do at home. Though in some countries, divorce or separation is frowned upon, so do a bit of research about the country you will be living in to find out more about their opinions. And larger cities are usually more accepting than small town.
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Hours and pay will probably be main concerns, as will your child’s education. Obviously, you want to be at home with your child as much as possible, so look for schools or institutes that offer parent-friendly hours. Since you have a child, you probably have some informal teaching experience, so try to negotiate for higher pay if possible, and see what your employer can do about housing. If you qualify, international schools might be your best bet.
Schools vary from country to country. See what you can afford on your budget and be sure to visit the school beforehand to see if it’s suitable for your child. Home schooling might be an option. Try Mothering to find out more about programmes. Cyber schools, such as Connections Academy, are becoming popular as well.
You’ll also have to ask about visas and insurance as well. Visas are usually pretty easy to get once you have a legal working visa. Some schools offer to pay for part or all of you and your family member’s insurance. Be sure to get something in writing if they promise to help you with this.
Other than that, you should be fine. Lots of single parents successfully teach English abroad. Just be sure to do a bit of research before you go and enjoy your life in another country. And think about all the exposure to different cultures that your child will get.
About the author
Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa is the creator and writer for TEFL Tips, The LA Job List, and The Ultimate Peru List. She enjoys answering people’s questions about TEFLing and Peru.
Hi,
My 7 year old and I have extensive traveling experience, and I am really interested in teaching abroad. I have informal English tutoring English and a Master’s in communications. I’m finding many English teaching companies that ask for fees and weeks of training. They also only recommendation accomodations that are more suitable for young aduls without children – like living with a host family. Do you have any recommendations on companies I can talk to about what I would like to do – that is teaching English as a single parent.
Thank you,
Jeannie
[...] as a Single Parent Updated 15 November 2009 This article has also been published in the ELT Times. Try reading Teaching with Kids in Tow to get an idea of what it’s like to teach English abroad [...]
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