Job Discussion Forums

chbern23 · Joined: 11 Apr 2013 Posts: 3

I'm looking into teaching English in Europe and picked out Poland and CR as locations (due to EU visa laws). Im an American with a B.S., and no prior teaching experience. What are my chances of getting a TEFL job in January 2014? I'd do my cert in Poland around Nov-Dec, and wanted to get a good idea if I'd be able to land a job in Jant. I realize Krakow's pretty difficult due to high-competition, but would Warsaw or another larger city be a possibility? Or would I almost be limited to smaller cities/towns? Ive seen a lot of other posts about this but some are a year or two old and wanted to get a better idea of current job prospects. Thanks for any help!

(also posted a similar question about CR in that forum, hopefully thats not overkill)

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

Hi chbern23,

Jan is the 2nd best time of year to find work (the best being September). You won't have much trouble finding work in Warsaw if you go and pound the pavement, though you might have to take hours from different schools and commute a lot to fill your schedule that first semester.

Other cities might be a little trickier, and Krakow is notoriously competitive.

Smaller towns can have higher demand for native speakers, but you'd best be prepared for a quiet lifestyle and know how to entertain yourself.

As an American, you'll have to find a school to sponsor you for a visa. Most schools are reluctant to do this so it's best to start looking for a sponsor school before you arrive.

Best of luck,

-Shake

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland

Accidentally posted in wrong thread.

chbern23 · Joined: 11 Apr 2013 Posts: 3

Shake-
Appreciate the help. Would you say I'd still have a pretty good shot at finding a sponsor once arrived Warsaw? I'm planning on taking my TEFL cert in Poland so I doubt I'd be able to find a willing sponsor before I leave the US. I'm a little hesitant since I don't want to get stranded without a job.

Thanks again!

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

wojbrian · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 178

Far as I know the VISA run is a myth.

It is my understanding that you must have your work papers before you arrive in Poland for work.

The alternative is to start your own business. An American is allowed to start a business in Poland.

zcpet · Joined: 13 Apr 2013 Posts: 9 Location: USA

In lieu of clogging up the forums with a very similar thread, I'll post my own query here (if that is allowed)--

(x-post from General Europe)
I'm an American student with about 1.5 years left until I graduate with a BA (Liberal Arts). I'm aware that a non-EU passport holder has about zero chance of getting work in Europe by filling out job applications while sitting behind his computer desk.

Would you have a better chance if you were to get your CELTA at a certified school in country? I can't speak any Polish (just some German) but would hopefully be able to get up to at least a passable A2 level from now until I leave.

Is the a feasible idea?

Thanks!

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland

I would also add that doing your CELTA in-country and preferably in the city you will be working in but even being in the region could have benefits. You'll meet some teachers. teacher-trainers, fellow students, school staffers, etc. during your stay and develop a few leads from there. Of course, this only will work for your first city/country but should give you a leg up and good start on your first time out.

As best as Delphian and I are able to make out from the material I was given, the American visa situation is governed by a pre-existing agreement from 2003. My passport was inspected last visit to be sure I had left the country and re-started my clock with a new photo-copy made of my exit and entry pages showing the date my new period started.

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

[quote="Master Shake"]

scottie1113 · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 375 Location: Gdansk

dynow, didn't you read what ecocks wrote? He recently went back to the US and when he reentered Poland, his 90 day clock started for the second time, but only in Poland, not in Schengen.

wojbrian · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 178

I have been looking for it.

I haven't found anything that states it isn't true though.

It still goes back to how the office you are going though understands the rule.

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland

I have info on it. As I said, I tried to type in for Deplh what the office here gave me. He found references to it. It [the agreement] is dated 2003 and is as I described in numerous posts elsewhere.

delphian-domine · Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 674

The mysterious thing about all of this is that there are references to an agreement, but it seems to be based on a diplomatic note that isn't publicly available.

It may be that this second clock only comes into consideration if you've already got an application for residency underway.