Job Discussion Forums

[gamze90]

I am thinking about teaching in Italy but don't have much experience on the country apart from a few family holidays and a friends wedding last year. I am thinking about North or South? I hear that down south people are more friendly and that'd be easier to make friends tied in with better food. Do those of you who have worked in both agree?

I am particularly interested in Salerno and Rimini (as I have been talking with a few schools there). Any advice most welcome.

Grazie mille per l'aiuto

[Teacher in Rome]

I wouldn't say that Rimini is in the north, but a bit more central... It's livelier in summer than in winter, but it's also on the train line for places like Bologna (which is a very nice city). I'd find out about the types of teaching you'd be expected to do in Rimini - it could be a lot of school-age kids needing cramming / YL, for example.

I can't comment on Salerno, but again, find out what the teaching entails. You should also have a think about how far your salary would go in both places. Of the two, I'd imagine that Salerno is cheaper than Rimini, but maybe not by much.

If you can afford it, why not come over for a few days to suss out both places?

[Xie Lin]

[gamze90]

Thank you both so much. I wish I could come and visit but no time and money for a short trip. I actually have 3 offers in Italy which makes it harder to decide.

1200 eur in Salerno (but no work in August and only 1/2 of Sept - so 6 weeks no pay a year)

1300 eur in Rimini (open all year round so paid always )

1100 eur in Siracusa (only closed in August)

Of course Rimini sounds more 'secure' but am worried that it'd be hard to make friends there, unlike in the south. The last thing I want is to be in a city full of 'fighetti' because I am not one and don't like that style at all!

Any further advice?

[Teacher in Rome]

[gamze90]

Thanks TIR. It's not that I want to work during the summer but I would rather work in Italy then head to summer school in the UK. I doubt netting 1100/1200 for 10 or even 11 months a year would give you enough to save for the summer unpaid months.

If one was offered a contractto indeterminatio would they be stupid to reject it even if it wasn't in their first choice town?

[Teacher in Rome]

A contratto indeterminato is the gold-plated Italian employment contract. It would be great if you knew you wanted to stay in Italy long-term, as it means all sorts of other useful things: getting a mortgage, starting a pension, getting a decent rental contract etc, as well as giving you financial and employment security. I'd be tempted to take it (even if other things were less than ideal) because it at least gives you a cushion - something to help you settle in - while you then look for better alternatives (ie in terms of town, teaching hours, etc etc). But do make sure it really is a contratto indeterminato, and not a contratto determinato. (That "in" makes all the difference!)

Of course, if the job itself is really grim, then it's another matter altogether. But for me, if all other things were similar / equal, a contract like this would definitely tip the balance.

[gamze90]

Thanks TIR - I guess living in Rimini won't be that bad - I had a bad experience with Italians in Caglairi (unfriendly, closed minded figehetti) which has a similar size so I hope they are somewhat different. Also, is 1300Eur a good salary, am thinking 500 rent and have no idea monthly bills cost.

Thanks