Job Discussion Forums

[sallyh1]

I'm looking for some advice please. I'm an IT and ESL College Lecturer in England, having recently achieved the CELTA in the US over the summer vacation. Having spent 2 months in the US I'm determined to try and get a job there (I love it there!) BUT realistically, does anyone know what the chances are for a British citizen to find a teaching job in the states? Ideally, I would like a teaching job in Chicago.

I've contacted the US Embassy in London and they have informed me that I could get a working visa if I can find a "sponsor" (a job), but the sponsor has to prove that they can't fill the vacancy with a "local".

I seem to be receiving conflicting information at the moment - some people tell me there's no chance and I should look elsewhere, others tell me that there is a short supply of teacher, so I shouldn't have a problem.

If anyone could give me any suggestions or advice, I'd be very grateful. Thank you.

[Stephen Jones]

The problem is likely to be that the jobs they can't find a local for are not going to be the ones you will enjoy that much.

What it means in practice is that your sponsor states he cannot find a local; it doesn't have to be true, though many US employers are honest about this, and would you want to work for an employer that isn't?

[denise]

I don't know about Chicago specifically, but on the whole the ESL market in the States is not very good right now from a teacher's perspective. Few full-time jobs--mostly hourly wages that do not include benefits. Teachers sometimes have to work at more than one school to get enough hours. And there are loads of MAs out there looking for those jobs (MAs are often/usually required--you didn't say whether or not you had one, but I don't think the CELTA will help). I can't imagine it being difficult to find a local.

I wish the situation were better over there, because I would love to go home!

d