Job Discussion Forums

worpler · Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 8 Location: oxford

are short contracts of 3-6 months common for a first timer?

which countries are most likely to offer them?

bnix · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 645

No,short-term contracts of 3-6 months are not common(for first timers,or anybody, for that matter) anywhere in the world.You might find some in Asia...Japan,Korea,Taiwan...but they are not common.Did you check out the Jobs Offered Forum and the Korean Jobs Forum?Those places are a good place to start.

If money is not a priority,there are also places you can volunteer for short terms...check out some of the lins provided under the joblinks section on Dave's.I believe there is a section for Volunteering.

The one year contract is pretty standard in this business,almost everywhere.You can find contracts of shorter duration...but there are not many.Good luck. Smile

Shaman · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Posts: 446 Location: Hammertown

Bnix is absolutely correct - contracts for less than one year are few and far between.

Asia is a possibility. Westgate (Japan) does 3 months stints. HOWEVER, the rental costs for accommodation (shared) seem rapacious. Still, you can save some money.

South America does short terms, but you'll most likely end up in the red.

I believe Russia offers 6 month contracts. Care to comment Kent?

Wall Street Institute is another possibility. When I was in Paris, they offered me a 3 month contract which became open-ended afterward. I opted for somewhere else so look them up in the Job Info Journal - lotsa mixed reviews. I don't know whether this style of contract is particular to just France or if it's company policy. Anyone?

Good Luck,

Shaman

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The school world, including private schools where languages are taught (sold ?) still works on a 12-month cycle. There are exceptions to this ofcourse. Personally if I were hiring and someone showed me a cv with a job lasting 3 months I would be extremely suspicious and/or critical. Did this guy fail to make the grade ?>Why did he/she only teach for a few months ?

One of the essential attributes of a good teacher is the stamina to last for the academic year.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Dear worpler et al:

Schools in Russia tend to offer 9 month contracts, since they don't want to pay your salary over the 3 hottest summer months when business is slow.

I have a 12 month contract 'cuz the bossman likes me. Cool

Regards,
keNt

PS: Instead of looking for a short-term contract, you might be better off trying to find a school that pays by the hour. Taiwan, Turkey and Thailand spring to mind, but I'm sure there are many others.

manc47 · Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 16 Location: Hong Kong

Many firms operate EFL Summer/Winter camps or residential programs (the UK, Ireland, Korea.Taiwan come to mind). Contracts, typically, are for 6-8 weeks. I do know that some of the UK firms sponsoring these programs accept newly-qualified teachers, provided that they are EEC passport holders. Not sure about requirements in the other countries.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

You might get something on a summer school. Pay and conditions are often near or below minimum wage. How ken are they to take on newbies ?

The EEC is now the EU. I should talk ! I still talk about the "wireless" while the rest of anglophone humanity talks about the "radio" ! (And nobody listens to it now anyway.)