Job Discussion Forums

[dannypoet]

Hi,

I am a newbie so please don't be too harsh!

I currently work in a decent paid job in IT in the UK but its not what I want to do for the rest of my life so I am looking for a break, to do something different, for a few years before I get stuck in the mortgage grind (I'm 24 so just on that cusp at the moment)! TEFL fits the bill to me, as I have both a desire to teach, I enjoy English, and I would love to live abroad and possibly pick up a foreign language.

I'm looking to do it right, I dont have teaching experience (outside of a bit of IT training I conducted in the Czech Republic) so I'm hoping to do a CELTA and then find work. I've been reading these forums as a lurker for a few weeks now but I'm still a little unclear on a few things so hope you don't mind me asking here?

I originally wanted to TEFL in Berlin but Ive heard the market is really bad in Germany, also the CELTA course is �1000 there rather than �650. I don't like Prague (too many tourists) so Im considering Eastern Europe (inc Russia) where Ive visited before and loved!

Sorry for the life story Ive just seen newbies get a hard time before so thought Id get all of the facts out of the way.

My questions basically are:

1.Is getting off a plane and doing the CELTA and then trying to find work in Poland the best way of doing it?

2.Is it possible I'll be offered a job by IH after completing my course?

3.Are contracts common or will it most likely be freelance work?

4.How much will I be looking to earn (and for how many hours)?

5.Will an apartment/bills be included? If not how much would a flat share be and would it be easy enough to find with bohemian Worldy types (and also how much)? Any good areas I should consider?

6.Would there be any extra bonuses?

7.Will there be any tax/pension costs or are these deducted from my wage before I see it?

8.Is there health insurance or as a Brit is it free for me like it is at home?

9.Is there any factors I should consider as to what happens at home in the UK (regarding tax/Ni etc)

10.Anything else Ive missed?

11.Anywhere else I should consider?

Again apologies for the nature of my long post, Ive posted a similar threads on the European/Polish board so please don't be offended if you come across it, am also considering there!

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Not too long, the more info, the better. I've been in Russia a year, and I'll offer as much as I can...

My questions basically are:

1.Is getting off a plane and doing the CELTA and then trying to find work in Poland the best way of doing it?

Maybe. I got my CELTA in Poland and left. If you get the chance to live in Krakow with decent wages I'd jump at it, though!

2.Is it possible I'll be offered a job by IH after completing my course?

Not sure.

3.Are contracts common or will it most likely be freelance work?

Getting your feet wet, I'd suggest a contract for the first year. Just my opinion. There're contracts all over the place (see: dave's esl cafe

4.How much will I be looking to earn (and for how many hours)?

Depends on the country. In Russia, for a "newbie" I'd guess between $700-$900/month. You could scrape by on this (at least in Vladivostok).

5.Will an apartment/bills be included? If not how much would a flat share be and would it be easy enough to find with bohemian Worldy types (and also how much)? Any good areas I should consider?

I'm not sure where you're talking about, but in Vlad there aren't many foreigners, so you'll generally have to fork out for your own flat.
6.Would there be any extra bonuses?

Depends on school/company. I work for EF and they give bonuses (for student retention, for example).

7.Will there be any tax/pension costs or are these deducted from my wage before I see it?

They should take care of that here, due to the labyrinthian Russia tax system.

8.Is there health insurance or as a Brit is it free for me like it is at home?

They should offer some sort of health insurance. Whether or not it's enough is at your discretion.

9.Is there any factors I should consider as to what happens at home in the UK (regarding tax/Ni etc)

Don't know.

10.Anything else Ive missed?

Make sure you get everything in writing. And triplicate. And translated. And hold every school to it.

11.Anywhere else I should consider?

That's a toughie...I'd suggest everywhere (that I've been at least)!

[dannypoet]

Thanks so much for answering my questions...