Job Discussion Forums

jennyrose · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 1

I need some advice about how I could become qualified to teach ESL in Frankfurt next year. I've been a middle school teacher (science and English) for the past four years, but I have no ESL experience. I was wondering if a TESOL course online would be sufficient or if I need to go through the much more expensive Midwest Teacher Training Program. In addition, I will be traveling there in July to apply for jobs, but I wondered whether or not that would be too late. Is it as difficult as it seems to find work in the EU as an American? I'd appreciate any and all helpful hints. Thanks, Jenny

Ann · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 45

jennyrose,
I believe they have CELTA in Frankfurt. You can look it up on the CELTA website. The TEFL International is also a great option. The Germans are sticklers for qualifications and from what I know, they are getting strict about what qualifications you have.
I have been looking for jobs in Germany for the past year, and have been told several times that one needs TESOL qualifications.
I think CELTA and TEFL are the widely recognized certificates out there.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

As well as paper qualifications which are IMPORTANT in Germany I woould say that you need to have competence in spoken German. Otherwise life will VERY difficult. If you can't speak German you might want to reconsider the decision. The need for a work permit is not always insuperable but thare are NOT a lot of jobs for native speaker teachers in Germany. There are some at dubious franchise type MacEnglish places. There are jobs at universities and not much in between, unless you are ready to freelance - in which case spoken German is a MUST.

Caz · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 3

I have to say, I disagree strongly with what scot has said. I've been teaching in Germany for nearly a year. When I came here my German was non-existant, and I now consider myself to be a good beginner, but no more, and I've had no problems getting jobs - freelance.

I don't know if scot meant that you need German to impress potential employers, or for the teaching, but I would say it's slightly useful for the latter but not at all important for the former - the schools I work for recognise that it is entirely possible to teach English, and teach english well, to students whose mother tongue the teacher may not happen to speak - that happens all over the world.

Of course, you will probably want to learn some German in order to get by in daily life, to socialise, etc., but the last thing you need it for is employment as an ENGLISH teacher.

Caz · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 3

I can highly recommend the Akademie f�r Fremdsprachen in Berlin as a place to do a CELTA certificate - best start I could have possibly had to my career, I think. Most kinds of TEFL certificate would be a huge advantage to you when it comes to job hunting.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I meant more for use in daily life. English is not as universal in German as some would have us believe. I cannot imagine being in Germany and NOT speaking German. A great handicap, but it can be overcome unless you are determined to live as an anglophone monoglot !

Lucy Snow · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 218 Location: US

Most of the ads I've seen for jobs in Germany require at least some German ability. At least the good jobs required German.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Lucy,
Most of these posters are detreermined to continue in their existence in anglophone monoglossia ! How dare you suggest that they should demean themselves by learning the language of the host nation ?

It is the reponsiblity of all Germans to become civilised and learn English !

And in any case most of the posters are linguistically challenged and fall into the sad category of those who are unable to learn another tongue !