Work in the Philippines: Teaching

Work in the Philippines: Teaching

Want to work in the Philippines as an expat?

You know the saying or at least one of its variations: “those who can, do … those who can’t, teach.”

Sometimes in my life I have felt that true. At other times, I’m not so sure. It all depends on the person and the circumstances.

Well, it’s my turn. I am going to be teaching this April and May, 2017. Who’d have thought it!

Yes, that’s me.

Although I have thought before about teaching, I have never done it. The last time I had any yearning to teach was before I embarked on my travels to Thailand. I inquired about Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) to teach English in Thailand.  I got all the details of a school in Phuket and came so close to enrolling. Then I discovered there were more hoops to jump through if I wanted to land a job in Thailand. They put me off.

This time it has landed on my doorstep by way of serendipity. And, because of this blog.

One of the co-owners of the school in the advert above contacted me after she read my blog.

“Do you know anyone who is a writer, has written books, is a native English speaker and can teach creative writing and inspire kids to a love of reading?”

“Yes,” I replied. “Me!”

After a series of pleasant meetings at the school with another co-owner, we agreed on the deal. I start on April 18 subject to my work permit being granted.

The school has to apply as a petitioner for a Special Work Permit for me to become an employee of the school. Believe me, there is more paperwork involved in that for the school than there is for me.

We now have all the paperwork in place so no doubt very shortly we will both visit the Bacolod Bureau of Immigration to make the application.

That permit doesn’t replace my current visa. My visa entitles me to lawfully be here. The permit entitles me to lawfully work here. There is a difference.

For those of you here in the Phils already, or those thinking of retiring here, then it shows you it is possible to find legal work. If you have a special set of skills that uniquely qualify you for the position then that’s a big plus in your favor.

It’s just like most of the immigration laws back home. If a native can do the job equally as well as you, then you have little or no chance of being legally employed.

As a side note to my recent post about permanent residency here, I did not receive my NBI (National Bureau of Investigations) police clearance in the mail as I was originally told.

I went in there earlier this week to query it as I had been processed on January 10, 2017.

“Wait here.” I was told. Several minutes later the official returned with a freshly printed clearance form showing “no derogatory record.” I resisted the temptation to ask why I was originally told it would be mailed to me from Manila.  I also resisted the urge to ask him why I had given him Pesos 100 for that non-existent mailing with no receipt given in exchange.

Welcome to the Philippines! Sometimes I love the chaotic bureaucracy of it all … and there is always a smile on the face of that bureaucrat … well, nearly always 🙂

 

Follow Me On Social Media

• 
• 
• 
• 
•