Job Discussion Forums

[Mahn]

Hey,

Anyone know anything about this school? I've been offered a position there.

Thanks.

[MsDooLittle]

No, sorry to say I haven't heard of them. You may like to give a bit more info about the offer and what you would like to know...

[Mahn]

Thanks for the reply.

It's run by a company that also has schools in Austria and the Czech Republic. They're wanting me to do 25-30 45 minute lessons at �5.50 a lesson, which works out at about �500 a month, with a �150 'accommodation allowance' for completing all the lessons they ask of me. Accommodation isn't provided. Class sizes are quite small, 3-6 students.

Not sure if this is relevant information, but it'll be my first TEFL job.

Out of interest, how much should I expect to be paying for accommodation per month? Any idea?

[MsDooLittle]

Seems a bit low but if it's your first teaching job, it'll help you get your foot in the door, get some experience, get to know the students and move on to something better. And guaranteed hours is good.

Try and haggle for accomodation. At that rate it should be included. I don't know about Kosice rents as my experience is only in Bratislava - where rent is high. You might be able to find real estate agents online...

I'll try to get back to you with some more info a bit later as I am lacking time right now...

[maniak]

that offer is an insult

[LivH]

Hi,

That offer does sound pretty low - bear in mind as well that you are taxed at 19% on everything you earn. I teach in Kosice and my first job paid 600 per month plus another 30 in food vouchers (worth asking about if you're on a low wage - a lot of employers provide them), accommodation not included. It was possible to live on, but I was lucky enough to find good shared accommodation for 150 a month, and was also living fairly frugally! If you manage to find shared accommodation you might get it for 150 or so, but of course you'll pay quite a bit more than that if you live alone. I haven't heard of the school, but there are quite a number of small language schools here, undoubtedly including many I haven't heard of, so that doesn't mean it isn't 'reputable'.
While I wasn't earning a lot, I did have a guaranteed monthly salary which meant that I didn't lose out if lessons were cancelled. I would be very doubtful about accepting such a low-paid job without this kind of guarantee, or a minimum number of lessons that is guaranteed in your contract. If you do have that, I'd say it's possible to survive on that salary, but you would struggle to do any travelling, etc, without extra funds.
Having said all that, I'm really enjoying my time in Kosice - it's a nice place to live. Also, there are language schools in the city that pay better, and there seems to be plenty of demand, so you should find that once you have a bit of experience you are easily able to move on to something better. Let me know if you want any more information!

[Mahn]

There were a number of things I was uncertain about with this job regarding pay, working hours and accommodation so I decided not to take it. I had other job offers afterwards anyway, so it's okay.

Thanks for your help guys!

[taipan1949]

I submitted my application to Sidas recently and exchanged a number of e-mails with them. They indicated great interest in me as a potential English instructor. Finally, they set up an appointment for me to be interviewed on Skype at 5am, my time. Well, no one at their end appeared. When I informed them of the situation, they responded with an apology and they said that they would be in touch.

I have not heard from them since.

[eihpos]

Hi,

I recently had an interview (very brief one) with this school and was offered the job. It sounds ok, if you don't mind working at a different school every week and can survive on 600 a month. Their program is mainly based in Slovakia but they travel to Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic, so I would see it as a good way to experience different places. Sort of like joining a teaching circus. They did seem keen to emphasise that the accommodation was not luxurious and was glad to see that I have worked in Romania as I 'wouldn't be surprised by the accommodation.' (meaning I don't mind living in a kip?)

I would really like to hear from anyone who has actually taught for them though - any info would be great.

Thanks!

[spiral78]

Is the job teaching part-time in a range of different state-run 'regular' schools? If so, the accomodation is probably in the student dorm (most gymnasiums/high schools in the region have a small one for students from villages outside commuting range; kids mostly go home on weekends). I've seen such arrangements (though I never tried it myself!). The teachers I know had one tiny private room in each dorm, equipped with a twin bed, wardrobe, and, if lucky, one of those tiny refridgerators. Toilet/shower usually shared, though not always.

Meals at school with the students (ok, but not much of a break from work or an opp for adult socialisation, and heaven help you if you're vegetarian or something!).

What's most difficult about such arrangements can be the hours outside of working time. There may be very few English speakers around to socialise with (one such job I knew about was in a town with exactly 3 English speakers total, and the teacher I knew there didn't happen to like either one of them...).
It's possible that there is very little to do outside of sitting in a local pub with the locals...

Of course I've no idea if this is what's being offered by this particular school, but it might be worth asking if the accomodation is a flat or a dorm room.

[Mrs Smith]

@eihpos, when you did the interview did they say anything about travel costs being met? i.e. were they going to pay for your travel from where you are currently located over to the location of the first contract and return home, and also your in-country travel expenses for going from school to school?