Job Discussion Forums

[sohniye]

Hello everybody,

I am a certified upper-primary/secondary teacher from the United States, my specialization is in Special Education at the MA level though I also have the right to teach in a standard classroom.

I do not have an EU passport nor the right to work in EU currently. I hate to repeat a common question: but what are my prospects?

I do have a friend with similar qualifications working for a kindergarten in Germany so it seems possible. Both of us were educated in the British system though I of course speak with an American accent which I hear

Also, I am half German and half Native American do I approach this topic at all?

Thank you

[spiral78]

If I understand clearly, you have currently no qualifications for teaching language - correct? If this is the case, you will need to consider at least a CELTA, I think, to be at all competitive on this job market.

Do you speak German? That would help. I do not think your ancestry should be a factor.

The next step would be to find out what is the current process for obtaining a visa for a non-EU citizen. In the past, that has been do-able in some cases, though it's very difficult. I would assume that your friend could give you direct information on the process.

There are previous threads on this board which discuss the process in some detail, but I believe they are all over a year old by now and things have likely changed, so much of that will be outdated.

[sohniye]

Hi Spiral,

First of all cool schnauzer! They're amongst my favourite kinds of dogs

I am actually not seeking a job as an ESL Instructor/teacher but rather looking into work with international schools; of which I am discovering there are many I just not certain how to best present myself and my qualifications to them.

I am a trained upper-primary secondary teacher; the MA is in Education but not TESOL. I am your standard classroom teacher, I have taught numerous subjects including English You are correct I do not have a CELTA.

You are completely correct about the everchanging nature of visa requirements and other legalities---I have read the numerous threads on this board about it but am having trouble getting my mind around what would need to be done.

I undestand basic German and am in the proccess of becoming fully fluent. I would not call myself fluent by any means right now.

[spiral78]

Ah, I see.

If you are not aiming to teach EFL, you clearly won't need the cert.

Further, legitimate international schools can get a visa for whomever they choose to hire. I think your first step is to compile a CV and simply apply for whatever job openings you find. You should not have to be concerned with freelance visas and all the attendant paperwork - an international school will be equipped to handle all the details for you, or at least to send you to the proper offices with the correct papers.

The schnauzer says danke fur de compliment:-)

[sohniye]

[spiral78]

No, they do need to show that there is no EU national with your quals, but international schools can make a case for a US native speaker to fill out their mix of accents, for example.

The overall biggest hurdle you are likely to encounter is simply that there are not many openings in international schools in these regions, and the ones that do come up often go to people with local connections. Doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a shot, or that you might not get lucky, but these positions are really relatively rare.

[vashdown2]

International Schools have already hired their staff for this year 2012-2013 through the various Job Fairs that are held all over the world.


If you are open to going ANYWHERE in the world, then get registered with Search Associates or ISS and attend a job fair for NEXT year hiring.


But, if you ONLY want to work in Germany, then you better get a CELTA and hit the language schools....