Job Discussion Forums

[Jetgirly]

So yesterday I go online and stumble across the two million job postings available for ESL teachers in Poland and think- WOW that sounds cool. So then I start thinking:

"Gee, I had planned to save up some money, go to Europe in March 2005, travel with my friends, then find a job somewhere in the EU. BUT it sure would be cool if I could get a job teaching ESL right after I graduate this August and move over there immediately."

Of course, I don't have any teaching credentials. I looked online for schools that offer TESL courses in Victoria BC Canada, and my options are VERY limited (especially since I'm in school full-time all summer, trying to finish my degree a year early). Then I thought about an online TESL course... but further reading makes me think that I wouldn't learn much.

It seems like the best idea for me would probably be the following:

1. Finish my BA in August 2004.
2. Work full-time and save money until March 2005.
3. Head over to Europe and travel with my friends.
4. Enroll in a CELTA course somewhere in Europe after we finish traveling.
5. Finish CELTA course and look for a job.

Does that seem realistic? How long does a CELTA course take? Do you have to take it in the country you want to teach in? Would it be best for me to take it in the UK (English-speaking country?). Would there be many job opportunities for the summer once I finish the course? "Assuming" the course takes a month (I'm clueless), I would probably finish at the end of May 2005.

Am I on the right track here? THANKS!

[lajzar]

[struelle]

[Atlas]

Dear Jetgirly,

Congratulations on getting so close to graduation! Going overseas to teach is a great experience and you won't regret it. It's a lot better than just working some job for some company at the BA level. It allows you to develop yourself and your career in a much more self-actualized and dignified way.

Here is one opinion about your plan:

1. Absolutely finish college ASAP; if you can do it in August, do it. Bite the bullet.

2. If you want to save money until March, that's fine, but it's not always so easy to save enough, and you never feel as if you have enough. March turns into June, September, December.... Use this time to get an ESL certificate; since you are young and just starting you will want something in addition to your BA, particularly in developed countries and urban areas. Even if it is a lesser-known cert, it will only improve your credentials when you are gallavanting across Europe; because I bet you will find some place you won't want to leave, and start teaching right away, and wishing you had a cert.... (one friend of mine just loved Berlin)

3. Keep your options open! Travel to Europe right away if you want, and maybe you can find a job that acknowledges you are currently getting certified. But be prepared to come home in case that doesn't work out! (Round trip ticket!)
Call it a fact-finding mission if you want. When I came to China I had my return flight for a month later, but I didn't need it; I rescheduled the flight for a later time, and rescheduled again and again, and then it expired! But so many things could happen, finding a home, visa status, etc, so it's very reassuring to have that ticket in case things don't work out.

Moving overseas is not easy to do. And you don't want to take a job just because one is offered; you really have to learn what kinds of employers to avoid, and what ones you have a realistic chance of obtaining, what you should be paid, and what is downright exploitation. Just because you are new doesn't mean you need to accept exploitation just to get your foot in the door. But you do have to recognize it. And maybe you do have to teach a class the vets prefer to avoid.

Try and get a job teaching adults who want to learn, and you will develop teaching confidence quicker than if you just babysit a lot of screaming idiots.

Keep your options open. There are many ways to go about it, not a single way. You just need a workable strategy. The CELTA is a great cred but restrictive in time and location. There are many certs that are affordable and reasonably attainable as you settle into this field.

Good luck!

PS don't rely on the internet to find a job. Find the schools and then go there and talk to someone, have ready-made copies of your resume, degree, passport etc. Maybe give a demonstration. You'll get a lot further in person than you will over the phone.

Regardless of what anybody says, you will be able to teach exactly in whatever city you want. Make your own opportunities! People have tunnel vision when it comes to credentials, forgetting the time-honored axiom, it's not what you know, it's who you know. You know? Talk to people!

[Jetgirly]

Thanks guys! That is all really good advice that I will definitely take to heart. There is one thing I want to clarify though, in case it comes up in further posts:

[spiral78]

Probably you've already thought of this, as your plan sounds basically well-put-together. But, as you're from Canada, your job options in Europe can be a bit limited, regardless of your training and credentials - unless you've got citizenship from a european country as well?
Even if this were the case, you would still have open options in central/eastern Europe and many North Americans are content to teach illegally, and, of course, there are ways to find legal work in some cases and places. But it's a consideration - and in case you haven't already done this bit of your homework, it might be worthwhile for you to check on some Embassy websites for the countries you'd like to target and get the current rules on non-EU nationals and legal work permits.
Best of luck!

[nomadder]

Absolutely Spiral. I considered Europe but found few options for NonEU people. In the end it didn't seem worth it. Now that Poland has joined the EU it may only want EU teachers as well.

As far as under the table, I think we still need a visa for Poland-maybe not now that it's Eu. Something like 60euros or more and maybe you get a month max-not sure so this isn't very economical and probably you can only extend it so many times from within the country.

If you work under the table somewhere I wouldn't bother getting certified. If the newly joined countries have restrictions on CAnadians working there I would suggest Romania-still nonEu and interesting tho probably low pay.

Lastly keep in mind that the bulk of the jobs start Septemberish. A few in January.

[Varvian]

www.itc-training.com

They just opened a center in Krakow. ITC only gives a TEFL certificate, not a CELTA, but it still looks like a good program and it would put you in Poland as soon as you gathered about $1,500 for lessons, airfare, and $1,500 - $2,000 to live off of/get settled in an apartment in Poland. As soon as you could gather about $4,000 is when you would be able to leave.

Also word to the wise, if you want to teach in Europe then stick to Eastern Europe. Western Europe has a policy of favoring people from EU countries so people from the UK have first dibs there.

[Jetgirly]

I hold German citizenship.

[Gowump]

Canadian citizens don't need a tourist Visa anymore in Poland. Since Poland joined the EU the stamp in the passport qualifies them for a 90 day tourist visa. This is the information I got from the embassy in Ottawa.

[AsiaTraveller]

This must be the best thread I've read that has been generated from a newbie OP on this topic.

There is absolutely no flaming.

There are informative, helpful, and well-reasoned responses.

Clarification from the OP generates more good responses and qualified advice.

You guys are great!

N.B.
I too have benefited from the comments and suggestions! And I'm not by any means a newbie ...

[Jetgirly]

My parents offered to let me move back in with them from September 1st until the time I leave!

Upside: Save soooo much money (at least $3500)
Downside: Non-stop bickering (between me and them, not between them).

I think I'm going to accept their offer. I'm only 20. Most of my friends still live with their parents anyways... it will be like high school.

[stillnosheep]

[Chris]

Hi there,

It looks like you are really well-organized and have a pretty good plan in the works.

As for Poland, I just left in Feb after 6 1/2 years teaching there. Honestly, at least last year, Poland was a pretty good place to get a CELTA/other cert because the program isn't as expensive there as it is in many other places. Wroclaw is a good option as is Krakow. I recall that the program itself wasn't all that expensive (I think around 650 UK) but the housing adds on a lot.

As for your citizenships, Canadians no longer need a visa, as someone mentioned, to enter Poland. About time! in my opinion. (I wonder if that applies to Australia/New Zealand?? Oh, sorry... ) Having a German passport unfortunately won't help much in East Europe because Germany refuses to allow people from the new states to work in Germany.

Other things to consider. In Poland, there are very few jobs in the summer. There are a few camps you could work at, but that's about it. Also, as a general rule, jobs don't start until October (they finish at end June). This could pose a problem for you if Poland is really where you want to work.

I could go on, but I have to finish for now.. For more Poland-specific info, try posting on the Poland board.

Good luck!

[Nickyboy]

Hi Jetgirly,

Your plan sounds good, as does your attitude! Getting your certificate in Eatern Europe is a good plan. I did mine in Crete, surrounded by beaches and a laidback way of life which clashed with the relentless schedule of the course.
I kept wanting to kick back Greek style, but couldn't really afford to.
Mind you, how we all partied when we got that f***ing piece of paper in our hands!!! The slog was worth it.

Good luck, but I don't think you'll need it. How's that for reassurance?!

Nick the Greek xxxx