Job Discussion Forums

[JRCash]

Anyone know any Italian cities underpopulated with schools? I'm asking because I'd like to establish my own operation.

[Teacher in Rome]

Um, don't you think that if people knew that sort of thing, they'd keep the info to themselves for their own operations?

A little research tool that you might find useful: the yellow pages. (pagine gialle - look it up - it's on the internet) Armed with a map of Italy, you can then look up scuole de lingua in the yellow pages.

Just a thought...

[naturegirl321]

I'd imagine smaller cities woudl fit the bill.

[spiral78]

Not necessarily. I know of quite a few smaller European cities which are very well-populated with language schools.

[naturegirl321]

Is the OP talking abotu a school-school, like K to 12? Or a language school?

[JRCash]

[spiral78]

[Teacher in Rome]

[JRCash]

[MilanTeacher]

The Italian market is pretty saturated. We lived midway between Milan and Lodi (a town with about 40,000 people) and in Lodi alone there were 2 or 3 schools. In Milan, of course, infinite. Unfortunately, it is a place where many many English speakers have set up shop, due to its attractiveness in many ways. It's good to remember that if a school hasn't been set up yet, there is probably a reason for it. In the North there are a ton, because demand is huge. In the South there aren't many because there is very little demand. My husband's family is from Sicily and we spend a part of every summer there with them, and I can guarantee you that the last priority of people living there is learning any foreign language- many people over 50 don't even speak Italian. Unemployment is massive, and the people who are employed don't have any sort of extra income usually. One of my cousin's made 400 euros a month working 40+ hours a week as a sales girl in a store- and people told her she was lucky to have the job.

I think that a person can get by (living extremely modestly) doing private lessons in most parts of Italy (barring very small rural towns), but opening up a school would be a massive undertaking. You would need to have a perfect grasp on Italian, and the Italian business system. Having local connections would be crucial. Honestly, for me, opening a business in Italy would be a bureaucratic nightmare. If you are really set on it, I would suggest (as mentioned before) taking a trip to personally scope out the situation and make contacts. Start up costs/taxes can be really massive, so make sure to be financially prepared as well! I'm not trying to be overly negative, just realistic! I speak fluent Italian, am married to an Italian (therefore have lots of connections) but I would never in my right mind try to open up a school there. But to each there own If you can do it, more power to you!

[Teacher in Rome]

I agree with everything MilanTeacher has said.

You can make money teaching in Italy. There are plenty of growth areas too.

But, and it's a big but, you need a lot more than just financial savvy and teaching ability. Italy is contact-dominated, where word-of-mouth and local connections are probably more important than skill or experience. And if you're coming in from zero, you'll need time to build these up. Students and customers won't just fall into your lap because you've got a language school. You need a bit of form first.

I'd say you should start off small to begin with. Decide what sort of place you want to live in. Start freelancing and build up a few customers. Work out what the income flow is throughout the year. So you might get lots of students in winter, and none in the summer months. Then work out whether it's worth you opening a school, what sort of school that should be, and whether you need to hire teachers.

I know someone who started her own language school in a town near mine. In her second or third year (can't remember which one it is now) she averages about 15 teaching hours a week, spends a lot of time marketing and getting the word out, and works until late in the evening. Maybe she'd work more hours if she had them available, but we're talking small town, small wages sort of living. And she's the only language school for miles around. No competition, but not much work either. I think you should allow for a few years -at least - before you'll see decent returns.

[JRCash]

Thanks for the information.

Certainly a warning or two, I had been thinking of a school as I don't see how else to make a reasonable living in Italy seen that the wages the schools pay teachers, I was offered �200 a week in Milan, and I travel to Italy REGULARLY so I'm not green as to what �200 a week would get you there, a cardboard box outside Spizzico in Piazza del Duomo maybe.

I'm surprised. A friend of mine opened a school in Spain back in December and already has to employ somebody else because the business is so big. I would've thought Spain was more saturated as the British and Irish would be keener to live in Spain than Italy. Would you mind telling me what these "growth areas" are please because I'm so keen to move to Italy especially given I can't abide where I live now and the place makes me feel like crying all the time (Ireland)?

[Teacher in Rome]

If you're so keen to move to Italy, then move! It would give you the chance to do some research in an area that you like the look of. Really - my best guess on the market conditions in Cremona, say, are as good as yours!

Growth areas (in Marche region) - YL, Cambridge exam prep, CLIL-related training or consultancy.

But don't take my word for it. Move to Italy and ask around! What's hot in Ancona might not be so hot in Bergamo...

[MilanTeacher]

[rafaella]

I'd say that overall there are probably more British and Irish expats in Spain than in Italy. Spain has its fair share of red tape but it's a walk in the park compared to Italian bureaucracy!