Job Discussion Forums

stef · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 4

Hi there. I was wondering if anyone knew of any recruiting agencies that look to hire people to teach in parts of Europe? I am Canadian, if that is important to know.
Thanks for any advice.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Not really. The short answer is that's because North Americans can't work legally in the European Union countries, for the most part. That said, it is still possible to get legal work permits in some European countries: Germany and some of the new EU members, particularly. However, there is no huge unmet demand for teachers in Europe, as there is in some parts of Asia, where recruiters are needed.

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

Remember also that 'Europe' is not homogenous or a federal state!

If you have full teaching qualifications from Canada you could teach in the UK. Other countries in the EU, such as France, seem to take a much more restricted view of importing teachers for the state systems. Language schools are a different matter but again, as spiral has commented, the situation varies and you'd be better off focusing on particular places you'd like to teach rather than 'Europe'.

stef · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 4

Thanks a lot for your replies. I guess the other reason I was asking was because I read in the Spain section of the message board someone mentioned a recruiting agency that deals specifically with Spain. I just didn't know there were any, and for which European countries? Any names or websites would be helpful. Thanks again.

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

There are various organisations, such as "Teachers in Italy" and "Saxoncourt" that recruit teachers for various schools in Italy. The problem is as Spiral 78 already said: unless you have EU citizenship, it is difficult to work legally.

If you want to work in Italy, I think you will do as well (if not better) if you are here, and available to work. You can hustle for interviews, visit schools, start the ball rolling with private students - things that you can't do so easily from outside the country.

Good luck!