Teaching, tutoring, private lessons???

TravelHippo · #1 03-24-2008, 05:43 PM

Hello -

I posted a looooooooooong message a bit earlier today stated my interest in a move to the Dominican Republic, my reasons, concerns, questions, and so on and so forth. I am sure many of you couldn't be bothered to read through the whole book that it was, I just wanted to ask in short, Does anyone know anything about the demand for Private English as a Second Language classes, or tutoring of any kind? Private lessons for english speaking children living in the DR? My boyfriend is a qualified teacher in special ed as well as regular ed, and I am certified in TESL, as well as a college graduate in Travel and Tourism. We are a bit worried we won't be able to find any work upon arrival in the DR. We are of course doing a great deal of research before we go but know being there is the best place to really look for a job. Any advice?? We aren't looking to make any money to save, we just want to get by, living in a very simple, cheap apartment, cooking our own food and so on. I've roughed it before so that isnt a problem. Just wondering, is there much chance of us even making enough money to get by???? Hope you can help!! Thanks!!!!!

bob saunders · #2 03-24-2008, 07:34 PM

Are you open to any place in the DR, or is there a particular area you are interested? If you look under the postings by Dolores you'll see a few job openings for teachers at various schools, mainly in the capital or east.

Skippy1 · #3 03-24-2008, 08:41 PM

I hope you are planning on bringing a lot of money with you when you come.
The salary levels here are just above pittyful and below woeful. You have been warned.

Every english speaking ex pat and there are thousands here all give english lessons free every day and all hoped it would be the golden goose to pin all their hopes on for a long and bountyful stay......unless your a teacher of a specific subject dont even bother is my advice ......come to think of it even nuclear physicists would find it hard to make a living wage.

Good luck

TravelHippo · #4 03-27-2008, 05:53 PM

Thanks for the tip Skippy... Yes, we do have money saved....enough to get us settled and enough to bail if need be. Oddly enough, we aren't moving to the DR to become millionaires!!

Giving English lessons or any sort of tutoring was to be more of a hobby for myself and to make a few dollars here and there. Unlike many of the thousands of English speaking expats, you speak of, there to give English lessons, I am fluent in Spanish which goes without saying, will be a great asset. And yes, My boyfriend is a qualified teacher of a specific subject and again, he obviously wouldn't be doing it for the money...only to make enough to get by, along with an income I will continue to have coming in from a business in Canada. We are doing this for the experience, the knowledge we will gain, to learn about the culture, the people, and to follow our firm belief that the world is in fact our oyster!

I'll be sure to let you know if you were correct in saying, "come to think of it even nuclear physicists would find it hard to make a living wage."

Now...to move on...

Thanks Bob! Sorry I didn't notice your post until now. I've basically been on here, searching and reading for days straight and failed to check my own post!! :/ Oops!

I believe Dolores actually replied to another of my messages but I will certainly take a look through her past postings. We'd prefer not to be in the capital as we prefer the small town life but are aware we might have to sacrifice that in order to find the jobs we are looking for. I have been told of the two schools in Sosua, also one in Romana and two in Punta Cana..all of which my boyfriend is in the process of applying for. Unfortunately all very 'gringo-filled' towns from what I've read but I suppose there is not much other choice when hoping to teach at an English speaking school. And even then, I think we'd prefer that to big city living!!

Ringo · #5 03-27-2008, 06:18 PM

A few new threads have been started in the last few days that you might want to read.

Not to be insulting, but you might want to review your sentence structure and use of words before posting. (I cann't spell or make a sentence worth a da..., but I'm not a teacher.)

Best of luck, Ringo

TravelHippo · #6 03-27-2008, 06:27 PM

Thanks Ringo...I've been reading them!!

Sorry about the sentence structure and use of words....Lucky for me, I'm not using this forum as a way of contacting my prospective employers and I was under the impression, from several of the posts I've seen, that perfect use of spelling, grammar and so on, wasn't necessary in this forum. If it is, I think I'll be in trouble for most anything I write!!! :/

But anyway...with all that said.....I'm not a teacher either, Ringo!

My boyfriend is.

Ringo · #7 03-27-2008, 06:32 PM

No offense from me. Just a little observation fromsomeone that has trouble spelling and forming a proper sentence. lol.

BUT... we do have spelling and sentence police that might attack... grrrrrr.

Good luck and good for you having a sence of humor. Ringo

TravelHippo · #8 03-27-2008, 06:39 PM

Thanks Ringo!

I'll try to be more careful next time. Although, who am I kidding, I doubt I'll have much success!! :/

I surrender now,all mighty spelling and sentence police!

Lambada · #9 03-28-2008, 10:23 AM

If your boyfriend gets some interest to his applications, I would suggest lining up interviews and coming for a quick trip in advance. Many places here are accustomed to long distance applications from foreigners who then don't show up (!) so they give priority to people already here or those prepared to demonstrate the seriousness of their intent. It might help how his applications are viewed if he made it clear he would do a prior visit.

TravelHippo · #10 03-28-2008, 10:47 AM

Thanks Lambada...I am sure that could work, if that is what they are looking for. If his applications get interest quite quickly, he does have one week off from teaching in late April, which would be the ideal time. Other than that he'll be very busy after finishing his teaching, trying to find new care for the young man he has cared for here in NJ for the past 6 years, as well as dealing with the emotional separation that it will be, then we're up to Canada to sort out some things there, then to the UK to sort out some more, then hopefully making the final move to DR in July. If only each place wasn't a pricey flight apart! :/ But if need be, I'm sure he could pop down for a quick visit, especially if we are still in this area, as I see Jetblue and Spirit offer some very reasonable rates.

Plus, I'm sure meeting him for an interview (the charming young chap that is) would seal the deal for any school! But maybe I'm a bit biased!