Teaching in China as a couple

[Kasey Politano]

Hi there folks ! 

 

I am a 23 year old native English speaker from Canada. 

I have a degree in Sociology, however my partner does not have a degree. 

We were wondering if it would be difficult for us to both get jobs in the same city even though only one of us has a degree. We both will be completing our TEFL course this summer. 

 

Thanks in advance ! 

[ChTTay]

Essentially, it depends on which city you try to work in and the connections the school has. It will be easier to find work in a smaller, less popular city as it's harder for schools/local government to attract people to work there. As a result, it's more likely they can bend the rules for your partner.

 

There a fair few existing threads about people wanting to teach that don't have a degree.

 

Some schools favor couples or at least see them as an attractive option. A school I worked for liked them as they thought couples would be more mature, less likely to party all the time.

 

Would you really come here together but not work in the same city???

[Mouseneb]

One option is to just have the spouse with a degree work. The other can get a spouse visa (you will need to carefully check the necessary paperwork for this). Salary is often ok, and two can live almost as cheaply as one, especially when the school provides housing. The non working spouse might study for a degree online, or tutor informally for some extra cash.

[Flickserve]

Depending upon the presence of a bona fide marriage certificate.

[roddy]

Getting two jobs in the same city should be easy. Getting two jobs when you only have one degree between you and (from the sound of things) not much work experience could be trickier. That's where your problems will lie. 

[ChTTay]

Aye, I assumed the use of 'partner' meant the OP wasn't married. You could go with the spousal visa but then i don't think your partner can work legally on that anyway (definitely not full time) so If you both want to be legally earning then it wouldn't be the way to go.

 

Roddy has it right.

 

Also, if a school says they'll hire you and your partner even without a degree, they may try and get you to come on an L tourist visa first. Don't do it. You're just leaving yourself or your partner open to being strung along while one or both of you work illegally.