Job Discussion Forums

[sof]

I've been working full time as an EFL teacher in Sicily for 3 years now (feel free to reply if you would like advice for Sicily) and feel it's time to do more with my qualifications (MA TESOL and Trinity Dip), but I don't know where to go/how to make a career out of EFL in the south of Italy.
Are PON and private courses a must or is it possible to get a decent full time position in a school that invests in their teachers?
Does anyone know anything about The British School in Reggio Calabria?
Also, why are teaching jobs with the British Council, Naples so difficult to come by? It seems impossible to get in touch with anyone.
Any help would be much appreciated, thanks

[Teacher in Rome]

OK, so I'm not in the south of Italy, but I've been in Italy for long enough to get a feel for what can work career-wise. First off, Italy wouldn't be a destination which comes naturally to mind when you think of career EFL. It's quite badly paid compared to other countries, but once you get past the entry-level roles, there are some really interesting opportunities.

Some thoughts...

- quals aren't always prized. Great you have an MA TESOL / Dip, but language institutions often ask only for the minimum.

- On the other hand, teacher training might be a way to use your quals. What's happening in the south in terms of CLIL? (Here, in central Italy, there's quite a lot going on.)

- opening your own language school might be another option, though for all sorts of different reasons it might be a bit of a risk in the south. Or franchising?? Hard work, but it might pay off - especially if you concentrate on growth sectors like YL.

Some food for thought, perhaps!