Job Discussion Forums

[redstar]

Interested in teaching in Europe-possibly Greece-a friend mentioned checking out Oxford Seminars as an organization to take my TESOL/TESL certification. After a fairly in-depth look at the program it sounds comprehensive. Before I commit I just wanted to seek other peoples opinions about Oxford. Its website says that it is an internationally recognized program, is this the case? One of the key factors for me is that Oxford promises 6 months of free job placement assistance, how helpful are they? i have read on other European forums that it is better to seek employment "on the ground" once you are actually in your desired country.

Any helpful comments, opinions are welcome.

Thank you

[Shalana]

I recently got certified from Oxford Seminars. I took their course in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The class was a lot of fun - taught by a guy with 10 years in the business who loves his job - he teaches Monday through Friday and does the TESL Certification courses on the weekends.

I'm currently working with a placement person from there and she has been very available via email and over the phone. She's been patient and answered all my questions. She has forwarded my resume to her contacts in the countries I told her I was interested in.

I've heard from one of her contacts but it's still a little early for me to get a lot of interest as my earliest departure date is towards the end of January and most people are looking to fill positions before then.

There are two things that I like about Oxford's placement program. One is that they will review any contract you are offered, even if it isn't one of their contacts. The second is that they will refund you the cost of their certification class if you don't get any offers within 6 months, but you do have to apply to 4 schools in 5 countries or maybe it's 5 schools in 4 countries and be turned down by all of them.

I asked a lot of questions of about working in certain countries. Greece was one of the countries I was interested in. The problem with working in a western EU country is that you really need to be an EU passport holder. If you're not, you can probably still find a job, but you wouldn't be working legally and it's easier to find a job like that in person. And, it's difficult to get an EU passport. Apparently, it's much easier to work legally in eastern EU countries as a non-EU passport holder because their laws are slightly different and there are loopholes.

[spiral78]

Shalana, let me clarify a couple of things. First, almost no one is 'placed' from abroad in Europe in general - including EU member citizens. Europe, especially Western Europe, is a highly desirable place to teach, and even for Brits who are legally eligible to work throughout the EU, you really have to be there, in the offices of the schools, resume in hand, before you can get a hearing. This is because, when hiring from abroad, many times people don't actually show up, or, when they do, they have misrepresented themselves in some way.

This is in contrast to many Asian countries where teachers are hired from abroad - there is simply a much greater need for teachers in general.

European schools don't have to take the chance of hiring from abroad.
Oxford, or no Oxford - you would have to have the funds to get to Europe, and support yourself until you find a job, and work the first month - schools usually pay monthly, at the end of the month worked.

The 'new' EU member countries (Central/Eastern Europe) don't have 'loopholes' in their laws - they have different laws. At the moment, people with North American (or Aussie or Kiwi) citizenship are eligible for work permits - though it's a hassle to get one, it's doable.

Finally, Redstar (the original poster) may be a citizen of an EU member country - we don't know from his/her post. I don't assume that s/he is North American.

[redstar]

Thank you for your helpful comments, both of you.

Shalana, I am very happy to hear that your Oxford experience was so positive-even if a person can not shore up work in Western European countries before leaving, it sounds like the program provides you with the skills necessary to find work as a teacher and be successful. Best of luck to you!

Spiral 78, i am indeed from North America-Canada in fact. From your experience does having Oxford training, or any other teacher certification, make you a more attractive candidate in Western Europe? Perhaps I should provide you with more information about my background. I am a trained teacher and have taught in Canada for around 4 years-I have no ESL experiece however, so I feel that it is necessary for me to take some type of TESOL course prior to leaving. My fiancee will be coming along and she has a close friends whose family is from the island of Rhodes in Greece. Therefore, we have a place to stay and maybe even leads on work in the hospitality sector-I really want to teach!!

I guess I am still rather confused about the EU passport thing-other posters seem to get pissed when this question is asked-but i don't really understand. I really have no desire to work in Eastern Europe. As non EU passport holders, is there a chance of my fiancee and I finding longer term work.

[spiral78]

Quite honestly, Redstar, without a citizenship from an EU member country, you really have very little chance of being able to land legal work, regardless of your qualifications.

Without certification, you won't be likely to land even illegal work. The job market's really like that.

I realize that this is never welcome news, and I have no wish to rain on anyone's parade. The laws in Greece, Italy, Spain, France, and Netherlands are very tight. I do not know about Portugal - that might be worth investigating. Luxembourg and Belgium, you would have some chance, based on my knowledge of their laws back in 2000 - may have changed. Germany has recently tightened laws to exclude non-EUs almost entirely....

I know it's not what people want to hear, but it's important to have a realistic idea of what to expect when you consider a move abroad.

Read through the country-specific posts. People will tell you it's easy to find work (particularly in Spain) and there are some who will tell you this applies to Italy as well. But if you press them, it's always under the table work. I suppose if you really want to work illegally, it's something that's doable - but not really long-term, you know?

[chiquitita]

Hi Redstar

How old are you? The reason I ask is because as a Canadian you can get a working holiday visa in certain EU countries if you are under 30. If not, you are out of luck with this kind of visa.

But if you are under 30 you can get a one year visa for either France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden and the U.K. Check the embassies in Canada for all their info. You can only work in the country that the visa is valid for and it's not extendable. Of course, if you're young enough and meet whatever other requirements there are, you could work for a year in one country then apply for a different WHV for another country. Each country has different rules but just google 'working hoiday visas for Canadians' or something like that to get more info or check out the embassies of the above countries.

If you're a trained teacher with experience you should look at doing an exchange or trying to get into the international school system. I don't know a lot about this but I've met different people around the EU who are primary or secondary school teachers who are working legally through those systems. But as I said, I really don't know the lowdown on it. Check with the education department in Canada.

Hope this helps.

[redstar]

chiquitita and spiral 78,

your help is very much appreciated...i have a lot to think about and a great deal to look into.

I wish you both the best and again, thank you.

oh yeah, chiquitita, I am 27 yrs old so... the working holiday visa may be a viable option.

thanks again

[Calories]

One of the women that took the Oxford course with me found a job from Canada while still taking the course. Her job was in Germany but, she's a dual citizen with an EU passport so, it was a bit different.

The Oxford placement was okay for China. Basically, they reveiw what another placement company does for you.