Job Discussion Forums

[Gregorio]

Hello All,

It's been years since I posted in the Italy forum as my hopes had been dashed for living there. However, in 2009, after 5 years of perseverence I received my Italian Citizenship (jus sanguinis) and eventually, my passport.

I am again thinking of a move to Italy, with my future wife, and have been researching cities, mostly in the North. I have a TEFL certificate (CELTA equivalent), bachelors in Geography and History, Masters in Education - PD, with licensure to teach middle school, any subject, and high school social studies, and 5 years of teaching experience. I am currently teaching and living in Barranquilla, Colombia.

I apologize for the CV here, and I also understand the state of the economy in Italy, but my future wife and I are both teachers (she also has a CELTA and linguistics degree) and I am curious of the possibilities of living and working in La Spezia. Does anyone have any specific knowledge of this town? I have been there and I know it's beautiful. I have checked rents in La Spezia and it seems that a decent one bedroom can be had for 500 Euros or less a month. My only concern is finding work to pay that sum, and others of course. Has anyone worked in La Spezia, or seen jobs advertised specifically for the schools there?

Again, I apologize for the long emai and rambling, but I just wanted to give a little of my background to help with responding.

Thank you all for your time.

G

[spanglish]

Gregorio, congrats on the upcoming move and marriage!

I hope you had a great time in Barranquilla and wish you the best of luck post-Colombia. If you do end up in Italy, I'll be located just a little to your south.

[Teacher in Rome]

International House (IH) have a school in La Spezia. There are bound to be more as well - and especially if you go beyond La Spezia.

Congratulations on getting citizenship! When do you expect to move over?

[Gregorio]

Thanks y'all! I, unfortunately, will be in Barranquilla for the duration of this next school year, so won't be headed to Italy until next August or so. I like to plan way ahead... I'm a little obsessed with that. I would like to land a position at an international school, but if that doesn't happen we are just going to pick a city (La Spezia preferred) that has some promising TEFL jobs.

It's going to be long year waiting...

[Teacher in Rome]

You might find international schools a more profitable line of enquiry if you have a year in hand (and the hiring process might take a bit longer as well). I'm not that up-to-date with La Spezia, but doesn't it have a US base? That might mean that there is a need for US instructors with experience of a US curriculum... Otherwise, there are US bases dotted around the place, including Napoli (also worth a thought).

Good luck with whatever you decide.