Job Discussion Forums

[Simone82]

Hi everyone - I also posted this on the General Discussion Forum, but haven't gotten any responses, yet, and thought I would give the post a shot in the Europe Forum.

I was going to do my CELTA at the IH in Budapest. I have to say it was a hard decision (and I am still not so sure - more research I do, the more confused I get...), because I was also interested in the CELTA in Prague. However, now I read that Hungary isn't very welcoming to foreigners and I was wondering whether anyone on this forum has had any experience living and teaching in Budapest? I mainly decided for the CELTA in Budapest because apparently they have a great reputation.... but now I am not sure whether I shouldn't rather go to Prague? Anyone?

I am from Germany and the reason I want to do the CELTA in an Eastern European country is the course price - can't afford to do it anywhere else... but I am not sure whether I would actually want to live in either of the countries - ideally I would like to live in Spain or Italy and teach there for a while.

[spiral78]

I can't speak for Hungary, but I can say something on the subject about Prague and the CR.

Czechs tend to be rather reserved, and one shouldn't expect to make friends quickly with them. However, when you do make friends, they are REAL ones.

The exception is, of course, the young party scene!

Most newbie teachers start out socializing primarily with other expats. If you are taking a course, you will have an easy 'in' with other trainees on your course, and others who graduated before you and are still in the city/country. It's kind of a built-in social network. I'm sure this holds true in Budapest as well.

In short, you are unlikely to be a social outcast in either city

Being an English teacher in any of the countries you mention doesn't make you especially interesting to the locals - they've all seen thousands come and go over the past few years.

But students are generally quite polite and respectful and want to work with you, and starting out your social life with other expats isn't the worst route.

[Simone82]

Thanks Spiral78! Anyone else who has had some experience with Hungary - please share your knowledge!

[Kofola]

Hi,

I have spent time in both CR and Hungary and would say that they are very similar in terms of meeting people and attitudes to foreigners. Budapest is smaller, obviously, but still has a thriving nightlife and sizeable expat community. I even found them quite friendly, but that's coming from the perspective of someone who has spent time in places where people have been really very hostile. I would also say that English is more widely spoken as few foreigners speak Hungarian and they don't have the advantage Czechs have of being able to communicate with Slavs from neighbouring countries.

Hope that helps.

[Simone82]

Thanks for the info Kofola! Very helpful! I have a better feeling about potentially doing my CELTA in Budapest now.

[teryndactyl]

Hi Simone
If you're a blog reader you should have a search around the net. I have stumbled across many TESL blogs of (mainly American) teachers in Hungary. Sorry, I don't have any direct links saved in favourites, but you could have a look here: Expat Blog

[Simone82]

Thanks teryndactyl! Just had a look at the link. Seems to be a good one. Thanks agan.

[johnnyenglishteacher]

I've lived in Hungary before, and I loved it so much I'm planning to go back there and buy a house.

Hungarians are very hospitable (I can't speak for Budapest, I'm talking about the smaller towns). It is virtually impossible to not have a fantastic social life.

Are you sure that finding a job as a non-native TEFL teacher is possible in Italy or Spain? You might want to post on the relevant forums. I'd imagine that because the entire world wants to live there (note to pedants: that is an exaggeration), it might be more difficult.

On the downside, the Hungarian economy is in a very bad way.

[Simone82]

Hi Johnny - Thanks for your reply! You are right, I should post on the Spain and Italy Forum. I imagine that it wouldn't be easy to find a job as a non-native speaker.... but what can you do, I really don't want to leave Europe at the moment and I guess if I hang in there, I could probably find something eventually in Western Europe.

[Glenlivet]

I lived in BP and worked all over Hungary back in 2003/2004, not as a teacher I might add. I love the country and would happily live there again (although BP itself has the worst roads/traffic I have seen). The cost of living in BP is pretty high and cheaper flats in the outer districts tend to be in "gypsy" country - avoid district 11 at all costs. When I lived there, English was little spoken in BP and almost non-existent outside the capital, German being the second language. Subsequent visits have shown a marked increase in the speaking of English. The people are great although some will try to rip you off if they think you don't speak any Hungarian (same everywhere). Not the easiest language to learn but easier than Polish.

Sok Sikert! (good luck).

[Simone82]

Thanks Glenlivet!!

[Glenlivet]

Szivesen. Sok Sikert!

You're welcome - good luck.

[yorkshireterrier]

I've been in Budapest for the last year and did the CELTA at IH. I felt it was a very professionally run course - three very good trainees each with their own different style and lots of focussed, constructive criticism which helps you improve on the course (though a few trainees seemed incapable of taking constructive criticism and saw it as negativity or nitpicking).

Beautiful city, though locals think it's dirty and smelly. Any young Hungarian who wants to get on needs a foreign language - cos the Hungarian language is totally isolated from the rest of the world - and English has become the language of choice in the last ten years. Loads of language schools here.

The economic downturn has hit Hungary hard. The government's finances are a disaster and many locals have mortgages (taken out in euros) that they can't afford because of a fall in the value of the forint. However, the currency is stabilising thanks to the IMF. A lot of business clients have cut back on language tuition because of the recession, but I think there's still a high demand amongst individuals - after all, good English skills gives you an extra selling point, something useful when times are tough.

Outside of Budapest there is probably - from what I've heard - a demand for English teachers. Several good universities exist outside Budapest - eg in Debrecen and Pecs - but there are fewer schools so perhaps more demand for teachers. Graduates from these universities tend to move to Budapest for work - there isn't that much to be had outside the capital.

Hope this helps!

[pinkextra]

Hello,

Thanks for the information. Are you currently teaching in Budapest?

What would be some good language schools/institutions to consider for teaching positions?

Thanks!