Job Discussion Forums

[lunreclpse]

Whats up everyone, quick question...I am looking to travel abroad and teach ESL in Europe for a year. During this year, I will be getting my Master of Arts in Teaching Social Sciences via an online program. My goal is to be close to completion by the time I return to the states, so I can start teaching Social Studies in middle or high schools...

I was wondering if anyone knows if I could list my one year ESL experience on a job application for public schools under "teaching experience", or would i have to place this under the "other jobs" category. Furthermore, has this been a helpful course of action for anyone looking to bolster their resume and assume a public teaching job? THANKS

[spiral78]

First, reading between the lines, I fear you may have unrealistic expectations about the job - short term contracts are not the norm in Europe (normal contract is Sept/Oct thru June). In the past, it was possible to snag jobs for 2-3 months and then move on, but these days the 'backpacking around Europe and supporting yourself with temporary teaching gigs' thing is a MYTH.

Second, I am assuming that you're American given that you intend to return to the 'states.' This means that you are effectively ineligible for legal working contracts in Western Europe in any case. You will be limited to the 'new' EU member states, like the Czech Rep, Poland, etc. for legal work.

Be aware that, as a North American, you get 90 days in the entire Schengen zone (essentially continental western/central Europe, google for list of countries) and then you must be OUT of the zone for 90 days. Unless you have applied for and been granted legal working documents in one of the countries where you are eligible to work, as noted above. These days, you are highly likely to get caught if you overstay the 90 days - officials at airports and even train stations are very alert to this. The penalty is a big red stamp in your passport banning you from entering the zone for ten years in future.

Your ESL experience may be a plus on a resume for some jobs teaching in the States, particularly in school systems that include some number of non-native-English speaking students.

[Glenski]

If you teach ESL or EFL anywhere, it's teaching experience. As to what quality it is, well, that depends on the individual experience. And, not all employers will treat it as equivalent to teaching in their country.

[Jetgirly]

I teach in the public system in Canada. I taught ESL abroad and at home before obtaining my teaching certification. When I first started out, my resume looked like

Practicum Experience
- Practicum 1
- Practicum 2 (both were done through the board I was applying to)

Other Teaching Experience
- Most Recent Teaching Job (Canada)
- Second Most Recent Teaching Job (Abroad)

That being said, for the purpose of salary evaluations (a "service" provided by the school board) none of my ESL experience abroad counted. They only considered experience in a "recognized" K-12 school. For the purposes of obtaining permanent teacher certification (a service provided by the provincial government) only years spent teaching our province's curricula count.

[naturegirl321]

Teaching in Europe might be hard if you don't have a passport from an EU country. About studying online, that's also hard if you don't have access to materials.

If you do get a job, then sure you should put it under teaching experience.