moving to another country
+4
Peter
Socrates
Mr Nobody
Jagunco
8 posters
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moving to another country
I've often had thoughs of moving abroad. They always come to nothing of course... I got a job a flat a car and its a big step to just dump all that and go traveling.
I was chatting to a friend the other day however and she had convinced me to rethink. I'm not very fond of anything in my life at the moment to the point where I'd miss it and also I want to concnetrate on my training more so I was thinking of an elongated trip to brazil. Three or four months perhaps. Enough time to get my capoeira sorted out, learn a bit more portuguese and make some connections.
I do however find the idea very intimidating. I can rent my flat to a friend, I can probably get the time off work and I think I know place to stay where some work would give me free board.
I would appreciate some advice
I was chatting to a friend the other day however and she had convinced me to rethink. I'm not very fond of anything in my life at the moment to the point where I'd miss it and also I want to concnetrate on my training more so I was thinking of an elongated trip to brazil. Three or four months perhaps. Enough time to get my capoeira sorted out, learn a bit more portuguese and make some connections.
I do however find the idea very intimidating. I can rent my flat to a friend, I can probably get the time off work and I think I know place to stay where some work would give me free board.
I would appreciate some advice
Jagunco- Number of posts : 1126
Age : 46
Localisation : Northumberland
Registration date : 2006-08-28
Re: moving to another country
If there's more positives than negatives, then I'd say go for it.
Once you're retired, you don't want to be an old man wondering what might have been...
Once you're retired, you don't want to be an old man wondering what might have been...
Mr Nobody- Number of posts : 933
Age : 48
Localisation : NZ
Registration date : 2007-01-20
Re: moving to another country
Have you looked into doing a CELTA/TEFL course? You need to be a native speaker of English and have a degree. They cost about a grand, but make it much easier to move overseas. More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CELTA
If you take the plunge, the main thing is to avoid English-speakers like the plague in the first year so you can learn the lingo...
If you take the plunge, the main thing is to avoid English-speakers like the plague in the first year so you can learn the lingo...
Socrates- Number of posts : 1628
Localisation : Barcelona
Registration date : 2006-08-15
Re: moving to another country
My frist trip would be only the three month stay so train and take language courses. It might be nice to take a year out and go.
This time I want to go for a fair legnth of time while not jepordising anything in the UK.
I don't have any educational qualifcations btw as I've looked into being an English teach a couple of times andf that was why I couldn't
If I went to brazil however I know some locals and may be able to offer lessons privately
This time I want to go for a fair legnth of time while not jepordising anything in the UK.
I don't have any educational qualifcations btw as I've looked into being an English teach a couple of times andf that was why I couldn't
If I went to brazil however I know some locals and may be able to offer lessons privately
Jagunco- Number of posts : 1126
Age : 46
Localisation : Northumberland
Registration date : 2006-08-28
Re: moving to another country
I had a look at the CELTA website and you don't need a degree, you need the equivalent of A-levels.
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-qualifications/celta/how-to-register/
In the UK, you've got access courses for adult learners who hated school.
http://www.accesstohe.ac.uk
IMHO, you will be a much better English teacher if you spend a couple of years going to evening classes and sorting out your education first. Your students will ask you questions like: "What's the difference between 'Have you got...?' and 'Do you have...?'" If you haven't got a clue, you will lose students. Why not get some qualifications in the UK first?
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-qualifications/celta/how-to-register/
In the UK, you've got access courses for adult learners who hated school.
http://www.accesstohe.ac.uk
IMHO, you will be a much better English teacher if you spend a couple of years going to evening classes and sorting out your education first. Your students will ask you questions like: "What's the difference between 'Have you got...?' and 'Do you have...?'" If you haven't got a clue, you will lose students. Why not get some qualifications in the UK first?
Socrates- Number of posts : 1628
Localisation : Barcelona
Registration date : 2006-08-15
Re: moving to another country
Mate, its simple. Do it. Life is too short not too.
If it nor for you you can come back. If its right for it will be life changing.
Or you could spend the rest of your life wishing you had instead.
About time we met for coffee isnt it?
If it nor for you you can come back. If its right for it will be life changing.
Or you could spend the rest of your life wishing you had instead.
About time we met for coffee isnt it?
Peter- Admin
- Number of posts : 2201
Registration date : 2006-08-14
Re: moving to another country
Airports have arrivals as well as departures. Do it.
Chris- Moderator
- Number of posts : 2042
Localisation : Trollville
Registration date : 2006-08-14
Re: moving to another country
Peter wrote:Mate, its simple. Do it. Life is too short not too.
If it nor for you you can come back. If its right for it will be life changing.
Or you could spend the rest of your life wishing you had instead.
Absolutely,it's better to look back and regret the things you did do,than to regret the things you didn't do.
Ade- Admin
- Number of posts : 2426
Age : 58
Localisation : Cornwall,near england
Registration date : 2006-08-15
Re: moving to another country
I completely agree.... I'm just not looking forward to telling my mother lol
Jagunco- Number of posts : 1126
Age : 46
Localisation : Northumberland
Registration date : 2006-08-28
Re: moving to another country
oh and I'm looking at those courses mate thanks... is there a difference between 'have you got' and 'do you have' ?
Jagunco- Number of posts : 1126
Age : 46
Localisation : Northumberland
Registration date : 2006-08-28
Re: moving to another country
Well, you probably wouldn't write "Have you got any vacancies?" in a job application, would you? And "Do you have the time, mate?" sounds funny, doesn't it?
Socrates- Number of posts : 1628
Localisation : Barcelona
Registration date : 2006-08-15
Re: moving to another country
Having moved to at least nine of them I can say unequivocally, do it.
Nick
Nick
Re: moving to another country
Actually Nick was hoping to talk to you about it and get soem advice since you've done it...
Jagunco- Number of posts : 1126
Age : 46
Localisation : Northumberland
Registration date : 2006-08-28
Re: moving to another country
How about doing an evening course in portuguese first, while you are pondering the pros and cons, and if you dont go you will have learnt a foreign language, and if you do you will be more fluent anyway!
combatnige- Number of posts : 242
Age : 55
Localisation : Cheshire
Registration date : 2009-04-21
Re: moving to another country
combatnige wrote:How about doing an evening course in portuguese first, while you are pondering the pros and cons, and if you dont go you will have learnt a foreign language, and if you do you will be more fluent anyway!
This is good advice!
My experience of moving to Spain at 21 to teach English was that it was pure misery for three months. There's a reason January is one of the best times to get a TEFL job. It's because so many rookie English teachers fly home for Christmas and then can't bring themselves to catch the return leg of their flights.
In my case, I forced myself to go back (I'm very stubborn...) and then had a great time for the rest of my time teaching English. My Spanish skills slowly came together, I made more friends, got more classes, met some attractive young ladies and found a better place to live.
Based on my experience, I think you need three things to make the move work:
(1) A CELTA qualification. Without one, you are on the very bottom rung of the ladder. Even with a CELTA and little experience, you will find the beginning rough. In your case, you need to get an HE qualification first. That should be a priority.
(2) Basic conversational skills in the local language. It's still an adventure if you know how to buy a cup of coffee!
(3) Some money in the bank. Expect to get paid very little in your first year. Your income starts to grow as you slowly get more classes. Recommendations from happy students are absolutely essential.
In my humble opinion, it would be much better to go in 2015 with all the boxes ticked than to go right now without anything. It could be the difference between putting down roots in Brazil for good and spending a miserable three months surviving on bread and water.
Socrates- Number of posts : 1628
Localisation : Barcelona
Registration date : 2006-08-15
Re: moving to another country
Just a quick update I've discovered that I can probably go to Brazil for two months next year (perhaps more) without leaving work or even taking a break in pay. Would require two years worth of annual leave though.
Probably going to do this.
If I find that its permissable to live there for a time I may look to staying.
I'm not looking for anything permenent in Brazil TBH I just want to get a good standing in Capoeira and that unfortunately requires me to go to brazil for immersion.
BTW quick disclaimer the professors over here are good but in brazil its possable to train everyday in the native portuguese, which is essential to be taken seriously by the mestres
Probably going to do this.
If I find that its permissable to live there for a time I may look to staying.
I'm not looking for anything permenent in Brazil TBH I just want to get a good standing in Capoeira and that unfortunately requires me to go to brazil for immersion.
BTW quick disclaimer the professors over here are good but in brazil its possable to train everyday in the native portuguese, which is essential to be taken seriously by the mestres
Jagunco- Number of posts : 1126
Age : 46
Localisation : Northumberland
Registration date : 2006-08-28
Re: moving to another country
Sounds great. Good luck!
Socrates- Number of posts : 1628
Localisation : Barcelona
Registration date : 2006-08-15
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