Job Discussion Forums

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

There seems to be lots of talk about going there and finding a job. I was wondering if anyone has been successful.

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

I am American and I'm working here in New Zealand. But to tell you the truth, the ESL business is in a bit of a slump right now. Most schools hitched their wagon to the supposedly never ending supply of Asian (well, Chinese really) students and for a variety of reasons, that market has taken a dive. There have been layoffs, some estimates of 30% of ESL teachers here in Auckland have been given their walking papers is what I have heard. However, if the market does fire up again, Americans could probably get work teaching English. A TESOL qualification of some sort would be a requirement. At least that is what I found out when I renewed my work visa and permit at NZ Immigration.
Good luck.

Kereru · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 32 Location: Christchurch NZ

The above situation holds pretty much true for Chch too. There are supposedly about 50 registered ESOL schools plus numerous positions in state schools but no jobs advertised except for one quite interesting one in last Saturday's Chch press (www.stuff.co.nz) for a "Start-up Manager" for a new International (read "Chinese") School operated by a very long-established up-market private school, St Andrews College. Just before SARS hit they took a 50 year lease on an historic former Girls High School to turn it into a language school - opening in July when last I heard.

qjmonster · Joined: 11 May 2004 Posts: 2

Hi everyone,

Some of you mentioned that you were hired outside of NZ for teaching jobs there. I have NZ friends and am thinking about moving. I would really appreciate if anyone could give me some advice about which schools or companies that they went through to get their visas. Thanks.