Job Discussion Forums

[iris]

Hi everyone,

I'd like to know what the general feeling is among English teachers about the different European countries. I want to participate into a EU exchange program for teachers next year. I am particularly interested in teaching in "warm" country but not yet sure which one. I would get a grant from the EU, at the moment you receive about 550 Euros teaching 12-15 hrs in Spain & Greece, 600 euros in Italy, 500 euros in Portugal, and 700 euros in France. It's not that much, so that why I'd like to know more about your experience living in those countries.

I can't choose the city/town myself, so it's a bit of a generalisation but which country do you think would offer me the most for those amounts of money? And what is your experience with the pupils in those countries (age 12- 17)? I am teaching in the Netherlands, and the pupils can be pretty difficult (I am not yet that experienced in keeping order etc). I am very interested in, for example, Greece but what about the language barrier? I wouldn't want to feel too isolated. I would love to hear all your opinions.........

[moonraven]

You won't make it in France and Italy on those stipend amounts!

[matttheboy]

Is accomodation included? If so you should be ok, if not you don't have a chance especially if you get sent to a city.

France-away from the big cities, ie Paris, Lyon, and also away from the Cote d'Azur the country isn't that expensive. It's also a beautiful country and, despite what you hear, the French are actually a very likeable people (although they can be a bit snooty).

Spain is pretty cheap all round, as is Italy (accomodation costs in Rome, for eg are half that of Paris). Greece and Portugal are the cheapest of the lot.

As for the students, my only experience of teaching kids from these countries has been in a couple of summer camps in England and i found, in general, that Spanish and Italian kids are pretty good fun and willing to learn. They don't play up too much. French kids are a bit more hard work and tend to not have much respect for teachers who can't speak French (as i found out when i pretended i didn't. It was a funny sight when i spoke to them in French at the end of the course and it slowly dawned on them i'd understood everything that had thrown at me!). However, this isn't to say that they're difficult. If you compare them to English children, the French are little angels....

I have no experience of Greek kids.

All in all, i'd probably recommend Spain, then Italy; firstly for the money, secondly for the kids and thirdly because Spanish and Italian are easier to learn than French (and i'm guessing, Greek). Good luck.