Job Discussion Forums

Tram66 · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 7

I'm an American and have decided on trying my luck in Germany despite all the hurdles/difficulties in making it there.

I'm having a hard time deciding on WHERE to go. Can anyone give any advice on cities? Not just the ESL job market, but the city itself? I've lived in Chicago, Boston, London and Seattle. Of those, I liked Chicago and London the best. Big cities, lots to do, pretty decent/extensive public transportation, people of every different walk of life... I'd also prefer a city with a good sporting presence.

So please, any advice would be very welcome. Even if it's just telling me about your time in a certain city. Thanks alot!

renovatio · Joined: 21 Mar 2010 Posts: 24

Well, good luck! I think I will do the same. When are you planning on going? Do you have any teaching experience or anything? I have, like I'm sure you have scoured the net looking for advice, but the forums I've gone onto have always turned into a writing battle, it's kinda funny I think. You have to really sift through all the garbage to get anything good.

Anyway, back to your original question, where to go, where to go, hmmmmm. I think Germany in general is a very nice looking place, very densely populated, but nice. I lived in the middle of Germany when I was there and liked it, I've been to Frankfurt and Munich, and Munich is amazing, but extremely expensive compared to other parts of Germany.

Some say you have a better shot at a job in a smaller place, but others say there is an overwhelming amount of language schools/centers in the larger areas, so maybe I'm not the best to answer you question, I did live there, but I never hunted for an ESL job like I plan to. I have a place to stay near Frankfurt so that's where I'm going.

Tram66 · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 7

I've decided on Berlin. Seems like it has a lot of language centers and you can live pretty cheaply there.

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

Tram66 · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 7

Right. But if I can't get a job by the time my tourist visa expires, I'd have spent a lot less in Berlin than other places, from what I can tell.

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

Can�t disagree. Your expenses will be less in Berlin, as opposed to pricier cities such as Frankfurt or Munich, if you don�t get a job and have to leave Europe after ninety days.

But you don�t want to come all this way for only ninety days. What about finding a place to live? There are contracts to be signed with hefty deposits and notice periods that the German people love so much.

Up to you, but I�d at least try for a more affluent area with a more positive outlook for a longer stay.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Berlin is the place. Makes me quite nostalgic. I started my EFL career in Berlin (West) in 1968.

athenssoest · Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 3:51 am Post subject:

Might I suggest trying a smaller city? I lived in a small town when I was in high school, and there were very few native english speakers (according to the local auslanderbehoerde I was the only north american) but the demand still seems to be there ( I tutored just for fun without charging because I was a student and couldn't work) The times I visited Munich or Berlin I always saw swarms of Brits and Americans, but say Hanover or Dortmund...never.

Viel gluck in Deutschland! Very Happy