Help us get to Vancouver!!!!!
#16
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 26
Re: Help us get to Vancouver!!!!!
Originally Posted by stuartm
It woul dprobably be Cantonese, although the PRC are now pushing Putonghua (Mandarin) as the language of choice.
Am i likely to scor epoints with A' level french???
What about TEFL (teaching english as a foreign language) as an additional attractive qualification?
Stu
Am i likely to scor epoints with A' level french???
What about TEFL (teaching english as a foreign language) as an additional attractive qualification?
Stu
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/skilled.html
#17
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 313
Re: Help us get to Vancouver!!!!!
Thanks for the help lonestar - i have been to the site, but its nice to get the human perspective.
By the way, the wife and i both pass, we both got 74, is that OK?
Stu
By the way, the wife and i both pass, we both got 74, is that OK?
Stu
#18
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 26
Re: Help us get to Vancouver!!!!!
Originally Posted by stuartm
Thanks for the help lonestar - i have been to the site, but its nice to get the human perspective.
By the way, the wife and i both pass, we both got 74, is that OK?
Stu
By the way, the wife and i both pass, we both got 74, is that OK?
Stu
#19
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Re: Help us get to Vancouver!!!!!
Thanks for the help guys
#20
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Re: Help us get to Vancouver!!!!!
Can't help you with the job issues (although I think anything science-based will be fine, Governmental jobs might be a bit more tricky precisely due to what Souvenir said). However, with regards to languages, A level French won't cut it, I'm afraid. To gain points for French you'd need to sit the TEF (do a search for it on this forum, there's bound to be some stuff about it) which I've heard is pretty difficult. (Lonestar, if you haven't done this, you'll get asked to do so as you can't claim any points for having a GCSE).
As for TEFL, I looked into this and was told by a TEFL teacher in Vancouver that it's hard to get into at first, as lots of people take a TEFL course during gap years and so on, and that initially, it's all contract work with terrible pay and not many hours. So you could probably use it to supplement your income but not as a sole means of living. On the other hand there seem to be a lot of opportunities with non-English speaking people in Vancouver (so I've heard, not been there...yet), so maybe you could give private lessons a go rather than going through a company.
As for TEFL, I looked into this and was told by a TEFL teacher in Vancouver that it's hard to get into at first, as lots of people take a TEFL course during gap years and so on, and that initially, it's all contract work with terrible pay and not many hours. So you could probably use it to supplement your income but not as a sole means of living. On the other hand there seem to be a lot of opportunities with non-English speaking people in Vancouver (so I've heard, not been there...yet), so maybe you could give private lessons a go rather than going through a company.
#21
Re: Help us get to Vancouver!!!!!
Originally Posted by stuartm
Hi guys,
3. I suffer from Asthma - is this likely to go against me?
3. I suffer from Asthma - is this likely to go against me?
#22
Re: Help us get to Vancouver!!!!!
Hi Stuart
Have you also looked at the government jobs in Victoria http://www.bcpublicservice.ca/postings/
Going by the accents when I chat to the various depts they employ a fair number of new Canadians (but they are s.l.o.w. to appoint, real s.l.o.w. Hubby was called to interview months after applying
Clare
Also, check out the universities (UVic, UBC, SFU and this site www.psea.bc.ca )
Have you also looked at the government jobs in Victoria http://www.bcpublicservice.ca/postings/
Going by the accents when I chat to the various depts they employ a fair number of new Canadians (but they are s.l.o.w. to appoint, real s.l.o.w. Hubby was called to interview months after applying
Clare
Also, check out the universities (UVic, UBC, SFU and this site www.psea.bc.ca )
#23
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,715
Re: Help us get to Vancouver!!!!!
Originally Posted by stuartm
1. We are 30 and 31 respectively, no kids with good degrees (2:2) and a combined work experienc of 13 years. My wife has an environmental science degree and the market for science-based jobs looks healthy. Hwoever i ahve largely worked in local government as a manager withsome stints in Higher Education. Most of the jobs i could apply for are goernment -based and im in eligible as you need to be a canadian citizen - any advice for alternatives. I hold a fairly senior position within local government at present.
Your Cantonese might be very helpful. One of my best friends speaks Cantonese (she's a white Canadian) and she has always been able to pick up odd jobs because of that. Mainly private tutoring. She's never looked for anything beyond the odd job but I suspect she could find full-time if she wanted that. Plus it really open doors into the Chinese communities in BC. I speak and understand some conversational Cantonese and it's been very beneficial in terms of friendships and being allowed behind certain doors in Chinatowns. A lot of people bitch and moan about various immigrants not speaking English yet they themselves don't life a finger to learn even a basic greeting in any of the languages that surrounds them on a daily basis which could open a whole different world up for them. They're really missing out, IMO.
Originally Posted by stuartm
5. Woudl you recommend (assuming we were successful) selling your house and pocketing a lump sum of cash, or renting so that youve got a home to come back to if things didnt work out? :scared:
#24
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Re: Help us get to Vancouver!!!!!
Hi HWP!
Thanks for the advice, and i may well keep up the cantonese, as as well as the language, i also teach matrial arts and that may be a source of some minor income, or afford me some access into the Chinese community.
If weife tries to improve her french with an accepted qualification, maybe our applications will strengthen further?
So much to think about , i need a drink !
Stu
Thanks for the advice, and i may well keep up the cantonese, as as well as the language, i also teach matrial arts and that may be a source of some minor income, or afford me some access into the Chinese community.
If weife tries to improve her french with an accepted qualification, maybe our applications will strengthen further?
So much to think about , i need a drink !
Stu