Job Discussion Forums

[GeorgiaGirl]

I am currently living in the US and have been working in the corporate
world for 5 years. I am looking to get out of the corporate world and try something new and exciting. I have a college degree and am currently single with no debt. Now would be the most perfect time in my life to do something as rewarding and exciting as being an ESL teacher. (I am very realistic and know that the pay is low and it�s not a glamorous job.) I am looking into TEFL programs in Europe and am only looking to teach young elementary school children. I would prefer to teach in Western Europe but after reading many posts about the almost impossibility of finding a legal ESL job for an American I would then look at Central Europe as my second choice.

Any advice or suggestions is greatly welcome. Thanks

[naturegirl321]

Asia might be a good place to go. Try looking on www.tefl.com for jobs

[GeorgiaGirl]

Thank you for replying back. I have thought about Asia but was thinking along the lines of Western or Central Europe for now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[spiral78]

You are right that you're not eligible for work permits for Western European countries. So far as Central Europe (Czech Rep, Slovakia, Poland, etc), you will be very hard-pressed to find any job that will pay enough for you to afford child care. Wages have not risen with inflation, housing costs are relatively high, and teachers with newbie level qualifications are able to make enough to live, but trying to support a child on a teacher's salary would be very difficult.

You might want to read some of the country-specific forums below, and perhaps post your questions on one of them for more detailed and focused advice.

[GeorgiaGirl]

Thank you for the helpful response. I am sorry I haven't been clear. I do not have children I meant for teaching young children. I should have been more clear in my subject line. We are only allotted so many characters and I was trying to shorten it as must as possible.

Thanks!

[santi84]

A former classmate of mine was hired as a preschool assistant in Austria after she graduated with both her BA and TESL certificate. She is married to an Austrian and that was the only position that she could get.

[spiral78]

And being married to an Austrian is about the only way for a US citizen to get a job in Austria!

[GeorgiaGirl]

Thanks for the good information. Yes I was kind of thinking it would be difficult for me to get a legal job in Austria unless I met prince charming over there and decided to get married

Spiral78, do you think my best options for obtaining a legal job possibly teaching children would then be in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia? What are your thoughts on Germany? Any knowledge on a great TEFL program in Central Europe is always appreciated as well. I have been speaking with reps from the TEFL worldwide program in Prague and the Caledonian School in Prague and both seems to be good programs.

Thank you!

[spiral78]

Germany is more restricted vis-a-vis non EU citizens, as are most 'older' EU member states.

Teaching young children is a growing trend in the Czech Rep, to my direct knowledge. I expect it is the same in Poland and Slovakia.

It is a very useful plan to get certified in the country where you want to start working. Your course provider can give you invaluable contact information to reputable local schools.

Both TEFLW. and Caledonian have been around a while and have good reputations. You can find more direct info on the Czech Rep/Poland/Slovakia forums on these and other cert courses in the region.