Job Discussion Forums

[D�chas11]

Hi,

I don't have a CELTA, but I've been teaching ESL and TOEFL for about 2 years. I'm an EU citizen, and I have a university degree. I don't speak Italian very well AT ALL, though I understand a lot of it because I speak Spanish.

1.What are my chances of getting hired as an ESL teacher in Rome? (or Bologna?)

2. Should I get the CELTA before coming over?

3. Also, I've read it's best to come in September/October. Suppose I come in at another time of year to Rome (November, December,maybe January), would it be almost impossible to get a job, unlikely, or fairly likely?

[Teacher in Rome]

Generally speaking, you'll need a CELTA for the better-paying schools. For the lower end of the market (and especially for chain schools that have their own materials and methods) it's less of a requirement.

You can do the CELTA in Rome - that should also give you an advantage as you'll make local contacts.

September is undeniably better for getting work, but there are also odd things here and there throughout the year. Just don't expect lots of well-paid work or fixed contracts.

I recommend that if you thinking of coming to Rome outside peak hiring periods, and not getting the CELTA beforehand, you'll need a fair amount of money to tide you over. Rental costs are quite high, and Italy is expensive.

[D�chas11]

Thanks! I was thinking about doing the CELTA in Rome, actually.

How much should I bring in savings? Someone recommended me about 4,000 u.s.d in savings for 3 months without work?

[Teacher in Rome]

How much you need is going to depend largely on what you normally spend. It might also be that rent will be more expensive if you're staying in short-term lets.

But I'd say you need at least �500 for rent, plus at least another �100 for utilities, phone credit etc. (That's pretty much the minimum. I've just seen a sublet for a 1 bed place in Prati - very near to where I used to live - for �950 a month all-inclusive - a very good deal imo.) Then �100 a week for food, travel, eating out etc. So around �1000 pcm? Bear in mind, too, that after your CELTA, you might have months of patchy work rather than full-time work, so factor that in to your calculations. You might also need to have a sum put by as a deposit on a more long-term rental place. (This can be as much as three times the monthly rent - twice the rent as a deposit and the first month in advance.)