Job Discussion Forums

dronbo · Joined: 04 Dec 2007 Posts: 3

I would like to work in Budapest, but never see any adverts. Any advice?

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

Like most of Europe, jobs are rarely advertised abroad.
The major exception to this general rule is for teachers with very extensive/specialist qualifications who are recruited for niche positions, or in the case of a school located in a remote area.

Good schools in major cities don't generally advertise or hire from abroad as candidates hired sight-unseen often either don't show up or prove to be less-than-professional when they do. The directors of reputable schools generally want to see you standing there before them, CV in hand, looking professional and reliable before they will be interested in hiring you.

Your best bet is just to go there and visit the schools in person. You might be able to line up some interviews in advance, with a little research, but I'd beware of any school actually offering a position to someone from abroad - it may mean that the school's got a dodgy reputation and teachers working in the area are staying away from it.

CaPow · Joined: 09 May 2006 Posts: 17 Location: Budapest

If you're a native speaker with teaching experience and a TEFL certificate you'll have no trouble finding a job in Budapest. You need to interview in person and typically you are observed teaching a lesson in order to be hired.

SF21 · Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 72 Location: California

CaPow is right. I just finished my CELTA here and was informed of some EFL opportunities that weren't advertised. I've decided not to stay in Budapest, though.

There's work, but of course everyone is "on holiday" right now.

sushikurva · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 59 Location: out n' about

CaPow · Joined: 09 May 2006 Posts: 17 Location: Budapest

To counter sushikurva, I wouldn't recommend Katedra. I don't have any personal experience with them, but I've heard several negative stories from other teachers.
I worked at Ameropa Nyelviskola for over a year and was very pleased with the school. They gave me 20 hours of classes per week and a work permit, and I didn't need to provide invoices, which many schools require. To provide invoices you have to set up your own "company" which costs about 150,000 HUF.

CaPow · Joined: 09 May 2006 Posts: 17 Location: Budapest

Actually now that I think about it maybe the cost of setting up a company to provide invoices wasn't quite that high...
I just remember it was expensive, required hiring a lawyer and wasn't mandatory for me, so I opted out!

sushikurva · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 59 Location: out n' about

SF21 · Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 72 Location: California

sushikurva · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 59 Location: out n' about

sushikurva · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 59 Location: out n' about

SF21 · Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 72 Location: California

Ha. I only know a handful of words in Hungarian. Actually, both of my students said they prefer that I don't speak Hungarian, so they'll be forced to speak the L2... although one did say "Igen" when I asked her a question, and "Boscanat" when correcting herself. LOL.