Job Discussion Forums

UICAlum · Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Stuttgart

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 · Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 6

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 · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

felton · Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Sand, sun, and fun

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 Very Happy

I'm sure things have really changed since I lived there in 2001.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

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 · Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Sand, sun, and fun

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

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

felton · Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Sand, sun, and fun

Reba · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 10 Location: U.S.

Hi All, This conversation string is interesting to me as I consider how to establish myself near my extended family who lives in Liechtentein. I have a Liechtenstien passport, taught about environmental protection (and also taught some English) for two years at a Chinese U, have a master's degree in organizational and small group learning for environmental collaboration and have worked as an editor in the U.S. and even editied a dissertation in Switzerland during one visit.

I want to work at a teaching and research center, and am quite willing to start out freelancing in Switzerland, Germany, northern Italy or Austria for a while.

So, do I need a TEFL certificate? Advice about getting my foot in doors?

Saintblu · Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 3

Hello there... I've been working in Stuttgart (actually all over Baden Wurtemburg including Stuttgart) for three years as a free lance English teacher. I net over 2,000 on good months and 1,500 on slower months. I also supplement my income with other types of work when 2,000 isn't enough at the time. It can be done. The trick is not to feel that any work is beneath you. If you work for schools that pay low just pack on the jobs. Most of the turn and burn schools e.i. Wallstreet, Berlitz will pay 12 -15 a teaching unit. (45 minutes) Other schools will pay a bit more but the available work is much less.

Stuttgart is the most expensive city within Germany regarding housing and general cost of living. You can apply for a job without a visa and most commercial schools can sponser you because their method calls for "native" speakers. If you do not work for a school and are completely free lance you will have to pay very high taxes. If you work for a school as free lance employee your taxes drop to around 17 - 19 percent.

However, with all that being said your biggest hurdle is your health insurance. You must have a German health insurance (or one that conforms to the new law) to get your Visa... But most of the insurance companies now would like you to be here for three years before they insure you... :0

You can check out some Auslander (foriegner) insurance deals from DKV or TK
which are about 80 - 90 a month but legally your wohnsitz (place of residence) must be in the U.S. To make a long story short, you can make a living... just do more than one type of job, and be prepared to pay alot for Health insurance. There is no choice for the insurance. No German Insurance.... No Visa.

explorer06 · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 8

Hello there,

Reading the comments above, I can see that some people are AFRAID to give the info that they know about Germany..I've been reading this link since last year, same kind of comments with a few number of " honest" realistic teachers...I had to move here cuz my husband's job, we are here for 3 years near mannheim area, and I saw some ads online for language schools, but nothing specific...You need to know a few words in german in order to type German in google so u can get a list of schools in your area, and go see them directly....I thought that was the best option, but I am not too crazy about it anymore , since this place is worse than Asia. when it comes to this job market, so I am looking into something else that might work better for me....

bellevie · Joined: 06 Mar 2009 Posts: 7

Hello Everyone,

I have been here in the Stuttgart area for 4 months. With help, I got my visa, health insurance and am now working for 5 different schools, including VHS and a University.

With this said, I just want to say thank you to those of you who gave me realistic and nice advice. Of course, the job market here completely different and is not as lucrative as the market in asia (I worked in Japan for two years), but I think its important to know that most people I have met here have not moved to Germany to make loads of money. They have come here for the lifestyle and the social opportunities that Europe provides.
So I just want to say that the negative advice on this forum is just not necessary and those of you out there who wish to move to Europe, Germany in particular, keep on keeping on. If you need some normal and realistic advice, I'd be happy to help. It works out!
Thanks to UcAlum and Puhutes in particular. You advice was really encouraging! cheers!

aozora · Joined: 20 Aug 2009 Posts: 1

Hello, I am an American who is going to Frankfurt to do freelance teaching. I do have a friend who lives outside of the city (30 minutes) who is okay with me staying for a few months until I can get the visa process. I was wondering if anyone lives in the area and can give me advice on this.

I am a IT major who wanted to try something new and I saw that although this forum is a little negative about studying in Germany I can still get some people who can give some decent advice.

bookishbloke · Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Posts: 8

Having read this thread, have American and other non EU teachers in Germany depressed pay rates available to British and Irish teachers? Or is supply and demand in balance?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Not likely. The key is that the non-EU teachers in Germany DO have legal papers - it's not like the past in Spain, for example, where loads of illegals willing to work for less than standard wages drove the standard down. Any non-EU teacher in Germany who successfully navigates the paperwork process is likely as desirable as an EU teacher.