Job Discussion Forums

rogere1776 · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 1

Hi. I'm a young engineer from the US looking to take a sabbatical to teach English in Eastern Europe or Russia. My plan is to leave my job, travel in Eastern Europe looking at schools and CELTA programs, pick a city, do my CELTA training, and then find a job. I hope to be teaching by the Fall of 2008.

1. Are there any major flaws with this plan?

2. Timing?? When do I leave? How much time do I budget for travel? How much time to look for a job?

If this has been answered in a previous post please direct me there.

Thanks!!

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

A possible flaw with your plan is that the best CELTA courses may fill quickly and not have space for people signing up a the last minute, or they may not have courses fitting with your travel schedule. If I were you, I would decide on the school and dates I was going to do my course first, get registered and then spend some time before the course traveling around, for fun and possibly even making contacts with possible employers. Sample itinerary:

ASAP - research schools providing the CELTA and choose the one that best suits your needs, register in course
mid-June - leave the US and spend six weeks traveling around Eastern Europe for fun, dropping into English schools that look appealing and making contact
August - take CELTA
September - start work

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

Jetgirly's spot on.

Commit to a course in the country where you want to start teaching. Most job contracts run Sept- June. You need to start job-hunting in earnest by late August.

You'll need enough financing to get you through the course + a couple of months. Count on landlords wanting one month's rent in advance and one month's rent as a damage deposit. Schools typically pay monthly, at the END of the month worked. You will face hassles in getting legal work permits - only agree to work for a school that will assist you with this process. Don't agree to go for a 'self-employed' or 'freelance' status deal- they are very often scams.

Financially, with a plan like this, you can hope to break even financially. Don't expect to save anything, or make enough to pay back debts back home or finance travel outside the country you're living/teaching in.

That said, it can be a really fantastic experience. Well worth the time, effort, money, and trouble.

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

One other possible item for further consideration may be the legalities for teaching in Russia - the visa issue is more complex there - post on the Russia forum for more detailed info. Other Eastern European countries are usually open to US citizens without visas, at least for 90 days stay as a tourist.

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

You might also consider planning to study the local language for a few months before you start teaching. After you start teaching it will be hard to find the time.

maccamlc · Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 29 Location: Adelaide, Australia

Hi rogere1776,

I'd really be interested in chatting. I'm also a young engineer, taking a break, but from Australia.

I have recently been considering the same as you! My decision was to leave at end of March. Study Russian for 2 months. Then take the CELTA course in June.

Send me a PM if want to chat.