Job Discussion Forums

[beana3]

Hello, everyone! I am just getting started researching teaching abroad and wonder if you could answer a basic question for me-- is there the possibility of teaching abroad only for the summer? I understand most schools require a 1 year commitment, but this is not possible for me, as I am a teacher in New York during the school year. Do you know of any summer school/summer camp/private tutoring possibilities?

Allow me to tell you a bit about myself (if it helps you give better advice for me personally!): I am an American citizen, have my Bachelors of Arts in English and Secondary Education, am pursuing my Masters degree in English, and am certified teacher of English Language Arts for the New York City Board of Education with 2 years of experience. I do not currently hold a TEFL certificate, but am looking into attaining one.

I am interested in teaching anywhere in Italy, but Naples (and surrounding areas) would be wonderful since I have family there! I speak conversational Italian and I would be able to start at the end of June and teach until the end of August. Any advice/guidance you could give would be greatly appreciated!

Best,
Serena

[spiral78]

Here's the general bad news - not to insist that you might not luck into some specific good luck, though!!

Unless you have a European passport in addition to your US one, you're unlikely to land anything legal.

Further, the general rule is that Europe is on holiday all of August.

As a fellow American with a first degree in English, and now an MA in TEFL, I can also say that teaching English to native speakers versus teaching a foreign language is very different - your qualifications are good, but not outstanding in the field.

That's the general negative news - but someone may know of some specific opening for some summer camp yet. Don't give up - but be aware that positions for US citizens in Europe are rare in general.

Long-term, if you are really set on Italy as a place to live/work, look into gaining citizenship through ancestry, if possible. It's about the only real way to work in the country...
Alternatively, save up and enjoy your holidays there. You get 90 days on a US passport as a tourist - that's just about the summer.

[SueH]

I have seen some summer camps here advertised on the net but they are few and the visa problems are always an issue (but possibly not for such a temporary opening). I'd search the archives and do some googling but don't expect decent pay, as I looked myself and gave up the idea when I found out what was on offer.

There's a lot of locally organised summer activity, including English lessons, (such as the ones offered by an aquaintance of mine) but it is all low key and done based on local connections.

Most Italian kids needing English get sent off to the UK, Ireland or Malta for their 2 week "immersion" courses surrounded by other Italians!