Job Discussion Forums

[Maine-iac]

Hi,

I'm new here, and have a few questions -- I hope that some kind person (or ten, or 100) would answer a few questions?

Just finished my MA in TESOL (have a BS in Sec Ed/English), and have taught for 6 years (3 years at the high school level, and 3 years at the university and community college (combined), which includes teaching ESL every semester (actually, most of the students are second language learners, since I live in a border area).

My goal is to teach ESL in Europe. I really don't know what credentials the average ESL teacher has, but I'm wondering how mine will be in terms of getting a job. What do most ESL teachers have?

Any tips/hints/ideas on my next step? I've lived in Europe before, so that's my first choice, but I'm open to other locations. Which jobs are easy to get, which are more competitive, and again, should my credentials be sufficient for choosing whatever I want?

And in general, how competitive is the field in terms of getting a job?
Finally, tell me about pay, and average hours, being "legal," and all the other stuff I don't even know enough to ask right now.

Thanks so much,

Patricia

[august03]

Don't most European countries ask for a Euro passport these days? Do you have one? If not maybe your options will be limited. Someone else may be able to provide more info.

[Roger]

You didn't mention any foreign language skills; well, in Europe you will need those!
Without demonstrable communication skills in a second tongue - what the heck do you think you have that your students don't?

[anthyp]

You can teach ESL in Europe with your qualifications, yes.

Your "average" teacher in Europe probably has only a BA and TEFL - I'm not sure why Roger keeps insisting you have to speak 7 diffferent languages fluently to teach there, but it's not really true.

And you don't absolutely need an EU passport, either, though it definitely helps - it depends on what country you go to, really, but you can get hired in Spain or the CR without one.

Of course this is in reference to your average ESL job in Europe, with a private institution, big or small, with long hours and the like. I suspect what you have in mind, and what Roger might be referring to, are the university jobs - but most ESL teachers there are not working for universities, they work for private language schools.

I don't know what kinds of qualifications universities there are looking for, but you'd probably need an EU passport to work for them. And even if you had one, I imagine these jobs must be very different to find!

[Maine-iac]

August '03,

Yes, I'm working on the passport. My grandparents were born in Ireland, so according to www.multiplecitizenship.com, I should be able to get dual citizenship (Ireland/US). In the interest of brevity, I omitted that fact. Have just started gathering paperwork this past week.

Roger,

What will I have that my students don't? A solid grasp of the English language, a Master's degree, many years experience teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and finally, the knowledge that a comma should be used after the word tongue in your sentence. (All in fun, right? )
I speak fairly fluent German (I lived there for 5 years), some Italian, and a smattering of French. However, like Anthyp, I'm wondering about your claim that I must be fluent in other languages. I teach ESL in the states, and every semester my student body hails from Mexico, Peru, Kuwait, Cambodia, Thailand, Jordan, China, Japan, and various other places around the globe. I don't speak their language(s), but still teach them English, and none have failed the TOEFL yet! Having lived all over the world, I realize that MY life will be easier if I speak the native language.

Anthyp,

Thanks for the note -- this is really the first step of my journey, and I have lots to learn. I'll keep reading here and hoping to learn all I can about the job situation(s), etc.

To all who PMed, thanks very much, and I'm replying as fast as these fingers will type.

Thanks again,

Patricia

[caesar]

Europe is now a pretty big place.

But, like anywhere people will pay for what you have to offer.

If you have an MA in TESOL you're ahead of most who frequent this forum (but about right in line to start a decent career track or continue your present one if you plan to return home).

If you can, look for jobs elsewhere like in an official teacher exchange program or something. Most jobs worth having don't need to advertise too much - the slots are filled by word of mouth.

And don't y'all 'dis Roger too much - German Employers generally expect you to have at least conversational German, same with the French and many other places in Europe. I also had a passport control agent in Heathrow act a bit miffed when he thought I was going to teach English in England. I had to reassure him I was only there to study.

Sure in some places the employer will coddle you, but that's getting more and more rare and you pay the price in the end. Nothing like being able to just go up to a government office and get what you want when you want it (of course after filling out the 20-odd forms each with a proper stamp).

Plan a long lead time with that passport and good luck with it. Use your head of course if you end up penniless in Eastern Europe without so much as money for airfare back, well ... that's what builds character.

[Roger]

All public school language teachers - from primary upwards through college to university - must be fluent in two or more languages.
My Latin teacher knew Dutch - besides 5 other lingos.

[Maine-iac]

[Maine-iac]

[Will.]

Roger's comment holds true for me too. Public school teachers in France need a very high degreee of fluency in the language they teach and the local language... French. I would imagine his is a common occurence across the European union. It is here in england we exxpect Teachers of French to be fluent in it, and fairly good in another European language, and in English as well along with a graduate/postgraduate qualification in education.
This has been a requirement for all the positions I have sought.
There are smaller activities as 'assistant' or 'lektor programmes in universities.
The language schools have more leeway in who they employ. A good browse on the Job information journal should furnish a few more ideas.

[whhels22]

In Lithuania you don't need to speak two languages to teach in public schools (hmm maybe thats why the pay is so low).