Job Discussion Forums

[UICAlum]

I agree that there is far too much negative feedback here, and a lot of it that sounds ill-informed. I am a freelance English teacher here in Stuttgart, and it is quite possible to earn a living wage. I am a US citizen, and yes there is paperwork, but many companies are looking for Americans.

It is slightly trickier to work being a non-EU citizen, this is true, but the comments here make it sound next to impossible. As an American you can come straight over here on a tourist visa and then get work permission (not so with most non-EU countries). I posted in another conversation the paperwork it takes to do this, but it is hardly that difficult, if you have a little perseverance. In regards to the Auslaenderbehoerde, the foreigners office where you will apply for the work and living permission, the woman I dealt with in Stuttgart was extremely helpful and spoke nearly perfect English (I think she said she had lived on the East coast for some time).

The economy may have slowed things down a bit, but it is hardly noticeable in my opinion. English is still in very high demand for corporations and private students. I do not get all this take on these boards about how the economy has hurt this industry so horribly. I freelance in Stuttgart and do just fine. I am not the exception either; most of the people I work with and who work in the same vein are doing just fine. Right now, in fact, many companies are busy reworking contracts, and I have been quite busy with new courses.

Hod, you are right. Health insurance laws have changed; however, the only real change is that you can not work on international or travel insurance. This may affect some freelancers, but for someone looking to come over, still needing insurance, it won't make much difference. I have acceptable insurance and pay 67 Euros a month. I have also posted on this in another place. Bottom line on health insurance, you absolutely need it to work, but it isn't a big hassle. I was in and out in half an hour or so, insured and ready to prove it.

Yes, you should in fact save up to come over here, as common sense would suggest, but I was able to get on my feet with 3,000 or so US dollars (don't remember what that equated to at the time I exchanged it). It might be helpful to bring a little more, but I was just fine (of course, again common sense. More money is better than less money).

A huge disclaimer here, though. Do not make the same mistake that I made and bring over a cashiers check. The German banks, by law, have to wait 30 (or so) business days in order to process any foreign check. I came over with a cashiers check on November the 12th, and had to wait until late January to have access to my money. Luckily I left an account open in the US (which is nice to be able to do if there are no fees on your account, but not necessarily recommended). Don't try to get by on Visa, as fewer places accept it (even grocery stores).

All the paper work for work permission can be tricky, but I managed to get it done in under two months. You will need notes from at least two schools to freelance, according to the Auslaenderbehoerde (they just want you to have enough work to get by). I lived in the youth hostel for a month when I first got over here, which was not cheap, but not horrible. It cost 19 euros a night and included free breakfast. It was an extremely clean and modern place (just google Jugendherberge Stuttgart). Finding an apartment from the US I think is just unreasonable, and you would need to be worried about getting ripped off. Much safer, in my opinion, to stay at a hostel for a short time, meet some interesting people, go out and do a few touristy things with them, and use it as a base to find an apartment and work. I know I would not have taken a trip to Heidelberg, gone to the top of the Fernsehturm, or toured the palace in Ludwigsburg had I not run into a Brazilian tourist at the hostel.

Freelancing might not be ideal, but it can certainly get you by (especially with your qualifications), and is a good way to get yourself started.

[thelepo]

I'm a recent graduate of TEFL, I'm 23 and Irish. I'm thinking about looking for summer work in Germany, possibly Munich, Berlin or somewhere smaller around the south.

How would you all rate my chances of getting some employment?
I just sent an email to accelingua to get an idea of the jobs market.

Would you have recommendations on how to go about looking for work, as ESL jobs sites don't seem to have too many listings or be that helpful. Any schools or companies I should apply to?
I'm a complete beginner so as much assistance as possible would be of great help!

I was told that Irish ESL teachers are well regarded because of the perception of us Irish as good communicators and outgoing, any basis to this?

All the best and many thanks.

[Hod]

[felton]

Ok, I know..."It's another one of those questions..." But heck, I'll ask anyway.

First, what I have:
Masters in TEFL from a recognized uni
CELTA
U.S. (Florida) professional teaching certificate
4 years experience in the states teaching English to school-aged kids
1 year overseas experience (Korea)
I think my German is above average
Already have an Aufenthaltserlaubnis (German spouse)

Second, what I don't have:
Business English experience
More overseas teaching experience

Third, what I would like:
Working with older (high school, uni, professional) people
Net about 2000 Euros a month

I can't think of any other variables to throw in there; I really don't care where we are, but it would be nice to be in Mainz-Wiesbaden area or in the Ruhrpott.
Ok...what are the chances? Go ahead, tell me; I can handle it
I'm sure things have really changed since I lived there in 2001.

[spiral78]

I'll be interested in what info felton gets on his net salary question. I know the normal range here in the Netherlands - net 2,000 would be on the (quite) high end.

[felton]

[spiral78]

holding my breath waiting for someone more knowledgeable on this topic to chime in