Job Discussion Forums

latte_girl85 · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum. I lived in Italy a few years ago as an au-pair and want to go back next year to teach. I have my CELTA. I was in Ravenna before and enjoyed it but am looking at something more upbeat. Any suggestions (professionally)? Do schools prefer British accents? (I'm American.) Thanks!

bejarano · Joined: 12 Sep 2006 Posts: 67 Location: South Korea

Are you legal?

If not, how much money are you coming with?

Other questions are..

Do you have a degree?

Do you have teaching experience?

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

Schoold prefer British PASSPORTS.

latte_girl85 · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

Hi thanks for answering. Yes, I would be going over with an Italian passport as I have dual citizenship. That is enough to start working I think. As to teaching experience... not much. While working as an au pair I taught the kids some English but no adults. I have a few years experience teaching ESL to young adults.

latte_girl85 · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

Ooops forgot to mention the degree. Yes I have a BA in Italian studies.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

You should have no problems getting hired but be warned that EFL pay in Italy is appalling (appealing location close to UK and popular with Americans) although expenses can be low, especially in the South.

latte_girl85 · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

Thanks stilnosheep. Unfortunately I've been hearing a lot about bad pay for teachers in Italy...

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

When I worked in Turin, I made EUR 1000 net for 22.5 hours of teaching per week. That meant I took home about EUR 11 per hour. However, I was guaranteed that pay whether or not the school could find work for me. This meant that when contracts tapered off in June and July, I still earned the full EUR 1000 even though I was only working about thirteen or fourteen hours per week. Other schools in the city paid up to three times what I earned, but they offered NO guarantee of hours. In the end it all worked out to about the same amount, but I preferred the job security.

latte_girl85 · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

Thanks Jetgirly,

What you're tleling me is not that bad actually... I have heard of shopkeepers who work full time and make just a little over �1000. Of course it's peanuts in the U.S. but I know salaries are lower in Italy. Salaries will be lower in the South, right? Thanks for your input!

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

Latteegirl, I think you're aware of this, but it brings up a possibly useful point for others.

The difference in real income between an expat English teacher and an Italian shopkeeper will be greater than it sounds - because that Italian native won't be paying rent/housing costs at nearly the rate an expat will have to.

It's one of those fallacies of the business - "If I'm making as much/more than the locals, I should be able to buy a flat/car/whatever just like them." It doesn't work out like this, because most locals are living in flats that they own, and likely have for generations, or they are in rent-controlled state-owned places.

latte_girl85 · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

Good point spiral. Do you think getting a place on an Italian passport would make things easier for me? When I was in Ravenna I was living with the family so I didn't have to worry about rent.