Job Discussion Forums

Andika · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Hungary

Hi everyone,

I am looking for people who used to or are still teaching in Greece.

I am a Hungarian woman who is teaching English to adults at a private language school in Hungary at the moment. For a change and to widen my teaching experience I would like to teach in a private language school in Greece. I have been on holiday in Greece twice so far but working there is a different kettle of fish, I suppose. So I have many questions... I have a Master of Arts degree in English and English Literature combined with a Qualified Teacher diploma. I also have a Cambridge Advanced English Certificate and I am from an EU country. I also worked and studied in England for a year.

The problem is that I am not a native speaker of English. I do not speak Greek either. What are my chances as a Hungarian if I want to find a teaching job in Greece? What do I need to know about Greek private schools and their owners in general? What kind of teaching style is common in Greek private schools? How about Greek burocracy? How do Greeks treat foreign workers?

I would be more than happy if you could help me out with some reliable information.

Have a nice day,
Andi

mbcoolj · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 17 Location: Athens

Very slim I think.

Greek school mentality is extreamly xenophobic and many dont even like foreign students in their class let alone a eastern europen English teacher. They just wont buy it no matter how good you are.

I had difficulty with one DOS just because I didnt 'look' English even though I am born and raised in UK.

If your pronunciation is good, try lieing to them, maybe you would get in.

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

I have to agree with the last posting,unfortunately.You might do better trying to find work teaching Hungarian to Greeks,especially as it's now an E.U. language.

ronett · Joined: 18 Jul 2010 Posts: 19

Hi,

My question re non- native English speakers is pretty much the same.

I have posted it just few days ago on the more general Newbie forum with a teaching-in-Greece thought at the back of my mind. Although I got very supportive responses, I am aware that the level of success will be different in each and every EU country, dependent on relevant experience and some luck.

Being non-native myself, I think wherever I go there will be the initial hurdle of 'only native English speakers accepted for this position'. I am yet to find out if walking around Athens, Patrai or Thessaloniki with multiple copies of my CV would do the trick.

As I have mentioned in my intro post...

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=82832

...the only thing I have at the moment is a relevant BA degree (English & Communication), sat the FCE, CAE, IELTS exams, have worked in finance for the last 3 years, and have also done business and art mentoring in an East London secondary school for less priviledged kids. I am currently working towards TESOL and CELTA certification, hoping to leave the UK Aug/Sept next year to get some experience.

Having done some intensive Greek lessons at uni, I was pretty keen to start off in Greece, but I am now thinking this may not be such a great idea as I will probably struggle to find something reasonable....?

Would really welcome any thoughts on this...

Thanks in advance

the_thinker · Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Posts: 68

One thing to think about � all Greek teachers of English need (or at least needed ��I don't live in Greece any more but it was always the case) a C2 level English qualification in order to teach legally. I would presume this applies to other non-native speakers, so I think CAE wouldn't be enough.

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

The economic situation there is very volatile now,as you have probably realised and it is probably not a country to look for work at the moment.I would see how it is by this time next year.

ronett · Joined: 18 Jul 2010 Posts: 19

Hia,

the_thinker · Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Posts: 68

ronett · Joined: 18 Jul 2010 Posts: 19

Would a degree in English Language and Communication (covering theories in language learning, language teaching, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, spoken & written discourse, World Englishes, English lit, various grammars, syntax etc etc...) be sufficient?

I am within the EU holding an EU passport- not sure if ESOL from the Michigan Uni would be any relevant to me (I guess you thought I was from the US).

Re C2 level requirement, I am working on CELTA via the International House in London. Already when I applied for the course I was asked to provide somethig to support my application and demonstrate I am EngLang competent to the required level.

I would be quite happy to take and pass an exam that would prove my L2 competence, but see it a bit pointless at the moment.

the_thinker · Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Posts: 68

I only mentioned Michigan because in Greece they have quite a large part of the exam market, along with Cambridge ESOL. It used to be that the Greek government recognised only those two for English qualifications, but that did change at some point. I would have thought your degree would be fine, but I'm only guessing. I suppose if you really wanted to be sure you could sit the CPE in the UK some time, and then at least you'd have the C2 level covered. It's not cheap though!