Job Discussion Forums

[jphunt]

Apologies if this question has come up, but I found no similar problems while trawling through the forum.

Basically I am an EU national, English native speaker, have CELTA and speak Italian, and would like to teach in Italy (Milan) starting from the September 2012 hiring period. The main problem is that although I will have finished studying by that time, due to certain formalities etc, I won't actually graduate and have a degree until November/December 2012.

I would like some advice regarding whether or not the degree is completely necessary, and if so, would employers be understanding of the fact that I would be just a couple of months away from receiving it, or ignore me for not having it at the time of the interview.

I should add that I do not have experience teaching, and with this in mind I would appreciate any honest responses regarding my chances of finding work, as I still have time to shift my attention to another country if the outlook for Italy is bleak. Thanks for any help!

[Teacher in Rome]

Outlook is not great. Generally employers look for a degree first, then experience / CELTA. You might do better because you already speak Italian - but this might limit you to less-paying jobs / teaching young learners etc.

It's hard to see where you'd get work without a degree. AFAIK, most of Asia is out.

Why not graduate first, then look for teaching work...

[jphunt]

Thanks for your quick and honest answer! The timing is just unfortunate, there is little I can do to about when I will graduate. Is there a secondary hiring season in January in Italy and how would you rate my chances then? The lack of experience seems to be an issue in Italy....

Edit: Just read your response to the January question in another thread.

[rparamble]

Hi JPHunt,
Dont worry in Milan there are definitely jobs at least till this month there have been. There are loads of schools in Milano, a good way to contact them is using eslbase.com/schools and then email all the schools.

I know quite a few people who havn't got degrees and work here. In fact there are quite a few teachers with no degrees or CELTA.

The best thing is to save money get yourself that list of schools email them, and come over to Italy .. you are quite likely to get hired if you fit the bill and if they have courses.

However with the current economic climate I'm not sure what is going to be outcome of our profession whether or not there is still money in it or if I should start looking for another job : S
All the best and keep hope there are jobs.
paul
milano

p.s. there is a good hiring season after January, I moved to Italy this year and had interviews lined up before I got here and in 2 days of arriving I had got three job offers. This was March though.

[jphunt]

Many thanks for the information, Paul!