Job Discussion Forums

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

I've just seen an advertisement for a post in London offering �9 an hour.
Taking into account prep and general hanging around time that works out at about minimum wage...

Sorry about the language in the title, but really it sums the situation up.
Any comments, anybody?

dduck · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 422 Location: In the middle

It's a market economy, the UK is an English speaking country and London is a very popular place to be. If you want money you should play the game either by learning some new skill that not many people have and is in demand, or find another country where there aren't a lot of English speakers on the doorstep.

Life isn't fair.

Iain

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

leeroy · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 777 Location: London UK

London is a very expensive place to live - one of the most in the world in fact. Market forces might well point to (most) students simply not having enough money - most of them come from economies with unfavourable exchange rates. As fun as it would be to place the blame solely on greedy bosses, I think a great deal of it has to do with students simply not having the money.

I've seen a job advertisment offering �7 an hour - that really is taking the piss.
Shocked

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

Market forces - hmmm. The problem where I live is the amount of work available, but the rates you can get at private language schools are at least a third more than those quoted for London.

Teaching may be more fun than some of the other jobs available (and I certainly don't want to go back to systems analysis and data flow diagrams) but I'd rather go and do some stress free agency work for effectively better pay than feel I was being exploited. If the students want to be taught in expensive London they can equally afford more expensive teachers. Otherwise go to Smethwick or Salford.

Leeroy, you sound like a serious teacher (most of the time Smile

) - can't you get any FE college or refugee work at �18 an hour? I've seen you comment on your pay before and have thought that with your experience there must be other opportunities available for you.

leeroy · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 777 Location: London UK

Why thank you Sue!

Refugee work is something I wouldn't touch with a bargepole - I have heard enough to not want to even give it a try. FE work is difficult when you are degree-less, such as myself - and in any case I've no idea where to get these jobs. Only 3 years to go! Smile

GaryWolf · Joined: 24 Apr 2004 Posts: 27

Hi Sue

I read your post. �9 per hour sounds a bit low to me. I’ve only worked in TEFL in Brazil, so I get much less than this. In your opinion, what do you think a teacher working as a business English teacher in the UK should get?

For yourself, have you thought of starting your own English school? How much experience do you have?

Anyway, good luck finding better paid work.

G Wolf

Will. · Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 783 Location: London Uk

Short and sweet, in a hurry, I had to share the latest job offer from the JES jobpoint.

English teacher
Wisdom College London

Must speak English as afirst language
Qualified graduates are welcome to apply.
Previous experience would be an advantage.

temporary position 3-9 months

�5.50 an hour.

I wonder if there is a bloke called Mr Grimsdale there?

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

Will is declared the winner!

I suppose an ability to breathe and being sentient is optional?

I'm still fascinated as to who takes these jobs. I wouldn't even do that as a student holiday job. Perhaps the authorities should be informed as they can't expect to get teachers at a few pence over minimum wage; it must be a visa mill.

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

Coming in a close second is LITE Bayswater, in CENTRAL LONDON!

�100 gross part-time (2.5 hours per day, Monday to Friday)

12.5 hours a week (really 15) means you'll net �6.66 an hour! Aaagghh! The number of the beast! Run!

SueL · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 8

Hi
Apologies for posting this in a couple of places, as various threads seem relevant.

A yahoo group has been set up for any EFL teachers interested in joining/forming a union. To subscribe, go to [email protected]. There's quite a lot of discussion on it so far. It's not country specific yet, but if lots of UK-based teachers sign up we could always set up a separate list. GMB already represent some EFL teachers in the UK, so the easiest and most effective thing may be to join them.

See also
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=22336

gwynnie86 · Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 159

The minimum wage in the U.K. is �5.73 an hour...

PattyFlipper · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 572

Kipling · Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 9:13 pm Post subject: It's all in the game

Well you can't become a tradesman in a month unless you are a cowboy.
A one month TELF course will get the above rates mentioned as there are plenty of people to do the job for quick money. I wish I had taken a trade 40 years ago when I had a chance, as sometimes I think that mending someone's plumbing would be more socially and financially rewarding.
It's the easy access into the profession that is it's greatest advantage or disadvantage depending on your viewpoint. Any sentient English speaker can get a job in most parts of the world, but to get decent pay you need a degree, MA or at least a DipELT and even this does not guarantee decent wages. Surely serious well paid jobs can be found, University presessionals usually offer between 550-700 pounds a week often with accommodation thrown in plus holiday pay. University jobs are 25-35K a year but then you need to do your apprenticeship, acquiring experience and better qualifications to get better pay. Why should a one month Cert teacher be expected to get more than any other job that offers a similar amount of training. Being a tradesman usually takes longer and usually pays more, nothing wrong in that.
Yours Mr K Smile