Job Discussion Forums

[Lunkey]

Does anybody know or can point me in the right direction to find out information regarding the job market in Frankfurt?

my quick background - still in the process of figuring everything out but am looking to get either my tesol (does Germany prefer this to TEFL or IELTS?) certification, then move to Frankfurt in the Fall. I have a few friends there and was told by a woman at the TEFL Institute in Chicago that this will help me tremendously in trying to find a job, but I think she was just pushing the class hard. I'm 28, have my BA, and have lived and worked in Chicago as a Mortgage Analyst the past 6 years. Not looking to make a career out of this - just want to have fun, live, work, and hang out in Europe for around 6 months to 2 years. Sort of a life sabbatical But I want to work while I'm there. Legally or illegally. My other option is Ljubljana, Slovenia but that's a story for another forum.

Anyway all positive (and negative) feedback is welcome! Seems like people are willing to offer both on here

[Lunkey]

[Hod]

What do you want to know? I was a teacher in Frankfurt in 2000/2001. It was a bit pricey to live there, but I got some freelance work and averaged the equivalent of about 2000 euro a month take home. Mind you, I was a new teacher back then and didn't mind 30+ teaching hours a week.

Life in Frankfurt itself is ok, but it would've been better if I spoke more German back then. Now I live elsewhere in Germany and speak passable German, the difference in the things I am able to do now is incredible. I did like Frankfurt's central location in Germany which made travelling almost anywhere at weekends a possibility.

So, it's a bit pricey, but work is easy to find and weekends should be good.

[puhutes]

Personally, I found it very easy to find a job in this area. Frankfurt has an enormous amount of language schools all over the city. I've heard all kinds of things that the Germans prefer CELTA because it is the British certification and whatever... but honestly, between my 3 bosses (companies) not one have them have ever asked or cared about my TESOL certification. I personally have found it useful though since I had no previous in class English teaching experience. I would personally stay away from the chain schools like Berlitz and look more for a "mom and pops" type school. They generally pay better than the chain schools anyways. You can also ask the local Volkshochschule (like an adult education school) How good is your German anyways? The Germans consider the ability to speak German very important for an English teacher. If you have any other questions... feel free to write me a mail. Machs gut!
LG Jennifer

[Lunkey]

[puhutes]

Not really SOL, but I would highly suggest you either take a course before you get here or take one when you get here. I can't really say if they willor won't take you if you don't speak a word of German because I've personally never been in that boat.

[Hod]

I never spoke a word of German when I arrived in Frankfurt. It's an international city, and my non-existent German didn't affect job prospects at schools or private work at all. But as I said above, the improvement in lifestyle once you speak passable German is manyfold.

[renovatio]

The last post to this thread was made in Jan '08 so I was wondering if the situation in Frankfurt has changed at all. Can anyone that has posted on here give an update to the job conditions for Frankfurt? I am planning a move near there at the end of June. Thanks!

[shodg001]

You might want to have a look at ELTAF (http://www.eltaf.de/). It's a good group to network with. A lot of schools in the area also monitor the yahoo group discussion. If you post that your looking for work you might make some contacts. I hope that helps!