Job Discussion Forums

[kirby42]

Hi,

I'll be doing a CELTA course in the near future with a view to teaching English in Eastern Europe. I have a big interest in the languages, cultures and the history of that part of the world. But when I look at some of the threads about Russia, Poland, Czech Republic or Ukraine, it doesn't seem all that positive these days. Is it still possible to earn a decent wage in Eastern Europe? Or would a future teacher just be better off looking further afield?

Thanks.

[jm2505]

I am working in Estonia right now on a short contract.

Compared with other countries, in the gulf and eastern Asia, you can survive on the money if you are good at budgeting, however I found Eastern Asia and the Gulf to be be far more lucrative (possible even for someone starting out)

But if you want to save something, Estonia whilst a really interesting place to be, is perhaps not the best choice.

I cannot speak about the Ukraine & Poland - people there may have a different view point.

[nomad soul]

[spiral78]

Poland and the Czech Republic are usually considered Central Europe these days.
Ukraine presents some important difficulties at the moment, and is likely not the best place to consider for now.
Russia offers better wages than Central European countries, but it takes time to build a local reputation and contacts which are the key.

The same is true in the Czech Republic and Poland - there are a few better-than-entry level jobs out there, but local rep and contacts (and language skills) are needed to find them.

At entry level, and new to the region, wages are subsistence -level or slightly better if you are ok with a roommate. Quite possible to make enough to enjoy daily living, cultural events, going out. Not enough to save or pay off debts back home.

[kirby42]

[spiral78]

nomad's question is astute - how can you judge between, say, a job offering 20,000 CZK with housing and one offering 24,000 CZK but no housing?

What standard of living do you hope to maintain?
As noted before, are you ok with flat-sharing?
Do you have debts to pay off back home?
Need to save?
Want to travel outside the region?
(the last three aren't do-able at entry level in the region)

You can find out more about Russia on the country-specific forum below. The better wages are mostly about well-paid private lessons; it takes some time to build up a clientele.

[nomad soul]

[dragonpiwo]

Forget Poland. The market is flooded and the schools are dodgy as hell. It isn't cheap either.

[kirby42]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Looks like I'd have a lot of decisions to make and things to take into consideration if I wanted to go there.