Job Discussion Forums

[esljobseeker]

I will be going to Germany next year on a one-year working holiday visa. The program that I signed up for will also offer some "job support", though I don't know how much help I will get with finding a good job so that I don't lose my shirt (Yes, I read that TESL/TEFL jobs in Germany will not make me rich, but I really don't want to have a huge debt at the end of my first year). I am a Canadian with a Masters in Education but no previous teaching experience.

Please see if you can help me with some of these questions:

1. What is the best time to arrive to look for ESL/EFL jobs? I'm thinking of arriving in Germany in February 2010.

2. What are the best locations to find jobs? I read that the big cities are saturated, so I'm thinking of moving to a smaller city. I'm not sure where to start, though.

3. Is it better to do a teacher training course before or after arriving in Germany? I read on one forum that by doing a course in Germany, you gain a better understanding of German students, the local market, etc.
I wanted to complete a CELTA course before arriving in Germany, but there are no part-time providers of CELTA anywhere near me. I can't go to school full-time for the 4/5 weeks because of my job.
I heard that TEFL or CESL are also advantageous to have. Do any of these have the same standing as CELTA in Germany? I know for sure that there are lots of part-time TEFL courses offered in Canada, so I will be able to complete a course before heading off for the year.

4. Also, I read on one forum that I won't be hired until I can speak at least some basic German. I am thinking about enrolling at the Goethe Institute for there basic level course (A1, I think) while doing some self-directed learning. Has anyone taken courses there? I'm trying to figure out if the course will be worth the money or not.

Thanks for your help.

[jterry]

What is the name/type of program that is offering you a one-year visa and job support? I am interested in similar endeavors.

Thank you.

[spiral78]

I heard that TEFL or CESL are also advantageous to have. Do any of these have the same standing as CELTA in Germany? I know for sure that there are lots of part-time TEFL courses offered in Canada, so I will be able to complete a course before heading off for the year.

Be sure that you take a CELTA or equivalent. There are a few programs in Canada that are very well-marketed, but that don't meet the standard of 120 hours on-site, with (key) supervised teaching practice with real students. Don't fall for a course where you are practice teaching with other trainees...it's substandard for Europe and employers are well aware of the distinction.

The regional contract periods are usually Sept - June, so your timing doesn't sound ideal. Some jobs generally open up in January, with teachers who don't return from their holidays at home and companies which start new language-learning contracts for their staff in January. February is really a bit awkward.

Remember that the economy is very weak in general and likely to be so for the next calendar year. I teach over the line in the Netherlands, but work with 6 partner universities in Germany. University jobs are very scarce, and any opening generates really tonnes of CVs from really highly qualified candidates these days. There's lots of competition in most areas.

That said, so long as you have enough financial resources to float yourself for a while, it's likely that you can find some niches that will work, as you will have a legal working visa without troubling a potential employer to go through the legal hoops for you. Employers are generally reluctant to do this, when there are lots of EU teachers on the job market.

[esljobseeker]

[esljobseeker]