Job Discussion Forums

[Stafford]

I've just completed a Cert TESOL course, and I plan to head off within the next few weeks to a country in Eastern Europe (including Russia) to work as a TEFL teacher. I also have a BA in Education and two years experience in training design, delivery and management. I'm a British national, so can work legally within the EU. I was wondering what the prospects for me would be, given my profile? Will my BA and professional experience put me ahead of other teachers? Which countries have a particular demand for TEFL teachers? Look forward to hearing from you soon,

Erica Stafford BA(Hons), Cert TESOL

[Mike_2007]

Hi Erica,

I can only tell you about Romania:

There are a few international high schools here, and many of them like to employ native speakers. I've heard of a few job offers lately, although with the economic crisis beginning to bite here I'm not sure what the situation will be like next year. They pay well, generally, and you'd live a decent lifestyle if you don't have excessively expensive tastes.

There aren't too many language schools around, and those that exist pay badly and you'd have horrible split shifts, evening and weekend work, and little professional support. I wouldn't recommend them.

There is also the British Council although I've heard that their pay is no longer that good and some of the benefits are being dropped too - but it'd certainly be better than a language school.

I should think that with your qualifications you'd be acceptable to any of the above institutions. You no longer need a visa/permit to work here either.

All the best,
Mike

[spiral78]

In countries like the Czech Rep, Poland, etc., your qualifications won't stand out sufficiently to give you an edge in terms of salary - the market generally provides just subsistence-level wages

(I've got BEd., 12 years of experience, 3 certs, and an MA TESL/TEFL and I can't find a well-paid job in Central Europe) .

However, you're certainly well-qualified for whatever's going.

I think Mike's suggestion is probably your best route - international schools, if you can find one with an opening (they aren't usually abundant). The pay and conditions are substantially better than at private language schools.

If you're not overly worried about salary - well, I'm confident that any private language school in the region would be pleased to hire you for the peanuts they pay:)

[Kootvela]

In Lithuania, the new government is trying to strike the new budget and they cut lots of former privileges and raise taxes on freelancing, so Lithuania isn't an attractive option.