Job Discussion Forums

Tina23 · Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 37 Location: Dusseldorf

Hi there,
a slightly unusual question today, I think.
I've been thinking about working on board a cruise ship for a number of years now, ever since I had the chance to spend a summer working on one. I have found couple of jobs listed on the www, both for English and German (which I also teach).
Is there anybody out here who has ever taught a language on a cruise liner? How did you find it? What materials did you use and what were the groups like?
I've been teaching English for a number of years, both YL and adult (business) classes, as well as having started German teaching a few months ago. At the moment I live in Germany and work as a freelancer.

Thanks in advance!
Tina

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

Who would prospective students be? The staff on cruise ships are 1. not normally hired without a good command of English and 2. required to work ungodly long hours anyway - little time or energy left over!

I think teaching the customers would be more feasible! Very different, though - short term, short classes, very mixed levels, most likely.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

A British friend who taught here in Mexico for a bit had worked several stints about cruise ships. While he never taught EFL classes aboard, he did work with children on various workshops. I mention it as a possible line of thinking for you in mixing education and cruise lines.

Tina23 · Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 37 Location: Dusseldorf

Fair points, but I'm asking because I saw this ad MOD EDIT looking for German language trainers, and I've seen a few for English as well. But my guess is that there s a fair amount of Eastern European staff working on board cruise ships (at least the ones I know of in the European market), who might need to work on their German, especially those who work in the restaurants.

kotoko · Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Posts: 109

After reading this thread, I did a bit of a google search and it seems a really good opportunity! I guess you did a search too but just in case you missed it, this http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0507/work_on_a_cruise_ship_and_get_paid.shtml is a good page.

powerrose · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Shenzhen, China

There's also Semester at Sea, which would be dope. I think its a high demand job....

kotoko · Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Posts: 109

Bump.

Did you find anything else out about teaching on cruises? It seems Princess Cruises do some teaching positions but there is so little information about it.

Tina23 · Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 37 Location: Dusseldorf

Sadly no. Seems the one I posted about teaching German would be my best bet, especially as I know SeaChefs to be a reputable agency for all kinds of cruise work. But I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled!