Job Discussion Forums

Paul-AK · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Ottawa Canada

Greetings,

I just joined this forum. I'm a 24 year old Irish born, Canadian raised male currently living in Ottawa Canada. I have a BA Honors in Geography and recently obtained a TESOL cert here in Ottawa. I have dual citizenship, and I'm looking for work in Europe.

I've just started looking for jobs, and so far have run into some roadblocks due to the fact that I have no experience so far.

I would like to work with children, although if not possible I would also be happy teaching adults. As it stands, the Czech Rep (Prague in particular) is the most attractive place to me so far.

Pay isn't the most important factor for me. I just want to live comfortably, hopefully work with kids, and be able to afford to go out for a few drinks once or twice a week.

Given my qualifications (or lack thereof) what would be an easy/good place for me to gain employment? I would like to live in Eastern Europe, but not as far east as say Romania, or Russia & the CIS. I'm open to the west as well of course, given a good opportunity.

Cheers, Paul.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

You don't mention your qualifications. Prague's a training centre mecca, so 90% of newbies on the streets here have a BA and a certification from an on-site course with 100+ hours including teaching practice.
The most common route into Prague for newbies is to come here to take a course and then to seek employment after completing it.

Paul-AK · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Ottawa Canada

Damn.

After having started looking for jobs, I've come to realize the course I took was designed for Asia. I really don't want to have to go to Asia, but I also don't want to take more courses. I'm sick of being broke, I need to start making money.

So, I would need to have a lot saved up, find a place to live in Prague, take a course, and then get work? Damn...

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

For Europe, in addition to a solid basic certification, you should always be prepared to support yourself for up to 3-4 months.

Here's the general/usual deal: European schools don't pay airfare or provide housing, though they may help you to find a flat-share.

Landlords will want one month's rent as security, and the first month's rent up front. They will want their rent at the BEGINNING of every month you live there. Additionally, you may well find yourself paying the equivalent of a month's rent to an agent, if you need to use one to find a place to live.

Housing is usually the most difficult issue to address throughout Europe, both in terms of finding something suitable, and its cost relative to teacher pay. In Prague, while teachers make generally around 17,000 - 21,000 after taxes monthly, to rent a flat without flatmates will certainly run over 8,000 monthly, and quite likely up to 12 - 14,000. This is not for luxury, but just for something standard.

Schools pay monthly, at the END of the month worked.

Salaries throughout Europe are generally enough for a teacher to live all right by local standards, to eat out and go out, not nightly, but weekly at least, to generally enjoy the area and travel within the country. But they are NOT enough to pay back debts at home, save up, or to travel extensively outside the country.

If you're financially strapped, consider Asia. It's just going to be more realistic for you.