Job Discussion Forums

caramel · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 57 Location: London

...is it difficult to find a short term TEFL job in London at this time of year?? I've sent my CV over the past three weeks and only two schools have bothered to respond. I also just had an interview with a school but was rejected because I didn't go into enough detail about teaching theory so perhaps having a Celta isn't enough. Maybe I should save my dole money to do the Delta despite the fact I have four years experience under my belt but then again it is an expensive course to take and it involves lots of teaching practice which in turn needs money and a job blah blah blah....oh well at least I have more time on my hands to watch hours of daytime TV... Confused

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

September through November is the worst time of the year to apply for a language school job in the UK as schools are busy letting go the temporary staff they took on to deal with the summer students. There will be slight blip around late December as the South American students come over at the start of their summer break before a short-term rise in demand ove Easter but the real hiring season is May through July.

Enjoy the day-time soaps, or look abroad. Those parts of Europe with a less seasonally-based client base are still hiring.

Phil_b · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 239 Location: Back in London

Try registering with some agencies for work teaching ESOL in colleges - That's how I got started - September is the best time to look in this case, but there might still be things around.

The agencies that my college use are:

Select Education
Capita
Protocol Professional

Agency work isn't brilliant and you'll probably end up with a few hours in a few colleges, but if you get known and liked you'll build up some work. Expect around �20/hour in London.

caramel · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 57 Location: London

Thanks for that.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Didn't you want short-term work?

The FE sector pays a higher hourly rate but it is unlikely that you will get more than a very few hours a week in the short term so I hadn't considered it appropriate in your case. But the hourly rate is much better so if it is a case of that or nothing then go for it although some of the colleges may not be happy if you disappear after a couple of months.

How short is your short term?

Phil_b · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 239 Location: Back in London

caramel · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 57 Location: London

Yeah I'm here for a month and a bit and then I'm going away on holiday for another month but I'm not sure if I'm going to stay in the UK in the long term after that...but then again I don't want to make enemies of anyone really. If I can't find any short term work then I might consider doing volunteering even though it there's no money involved...