Job Discussion Forums

[Joachim]

As Holland doesn't even warrant its own forum on this site I find it doubtful. But has anybody worked in the Netherlands or can anybody advise me as to which sites to check out?

Thanks

[spiral78]

I work in the Netherlands. Yes, there is some work. However, the majority that I know of is state schools and universities. Most posts are taken by locals - Dutch people (as you may be aware - where are you from?) having generally a very high level of English.

There are some chain schools (Berlitz, for example) around.

Overall, obviously there's not a lot of work, and if you're not Dutch, getting a job here probably requires local contacts and specialist qualifications.

[spiral78]

Oh, sorry, you're asking for job sites. I seriously doubt that there are any to speak of. Firstly, there's not that much work. Secondly, employers wouldn't have need to hire anyone from abroad - this is standard in most of Europe. You have to be here, on the ground, to get a hearing from most employers.

[Teacher in Rome]

Linguarama are in The Hague and Amsterdam. There's also Language Partners and a few others, but I don't know who's hiring.

[scot47]

Like in Scandinavia there are enough locals with the necessary skills. Why hire some foreigner with dubious qualifications and questionable work ethics, when you can hire a diligent Dutchman ? (Or Dutchvrou !)

[Teacher in Rome]

Scot - there's a big enough market for mother-tongue teachers in NL. Believe it or not, but not everybody in NL speaks flawless English. In fact, very few do... When I was there I taught from about pre-int level and up. A lot of specific financial English stuff, but also presentations / writing skills and so on.

If the OP is a language teacher, and has European citizenship, there should be no problem getting a foot in the door in NL. Just go to some of the language school sites and make contact there. But the pay is not particularly great.

[spiral78]

TIR is correct - most Dutch people can function in English, but there is some market for professional/academic English in both private school and state schools.

But - yes - there are lots of qualified locals also.

And the job market has contracted significantly over the past 12 months. 2009/2010 looks particularly parsimonious...

'My' uni advertised for 0.0 contracts (basically meaning that when/if we have more work than we can do, we might want you, depending on your quals) and I am still wading through the many CVs we have received...for the non-job we are non-offering

[Debutant]

Hello Spiral,

Just to say that I've read a number of your posts with great interest. As my name suggests, I'm fairly new to this game having only just completed a CELTA (Pass B). I have a degree also and am rather determined to join my girlfriend in Gouda.... (she's just laid down the dreaded ultimatum.... move from the UK to there, or it's over!!)

Suffice to say, I'm desperate to find teaching work in the Netherlands and as you're there, I thought I'd pick your brains to see if the situation in Holland regarding teaching work has changed at all. Long shot, but worth a go! I would have PM'd you but as this is only my third post, it wouldn't let me :-/

Many thanks...

[Mrguay84]

Back in the day I went to Holland on a 'twin town' school exchange programme and I remember the Dutch teenagers (14 year olds) were really good at English. In fact their English seemed near perfect at the time.

[tosca100]