Job Discussion Forums

[DanGUK]

Hi

I know it is not a usual TEFL destination and that the Scandinavian's English abilities are legendary, but I am moving there for love not money so have little choice....

Has anyone ever taught in Copenhagen and/or Malmo? If so, can you tell me anything about possible schools, freelancing, how the students are in the classroom etc etc etc??

I'm British, Trinity Cert, experience in Europe and Asia, strong business career prior to teaching....

Many thanks in advance

[Thomas5]

Can't really give you any info on Copenhagen but I have recently visited and I couldn't believe how expensive it was, when compared to average european wages for teaching English I don't think that the money would go far.

[scot47]

It is seriously a non-starter.

[ancient_dweller]

i have some friends from Denmark and i asked them about teaching in scandanavia. they told me they had never come across any private schools that teach english. (although they do exist) they get taught english at school. plus, all they don't dub tv programmes and films - just subtitled so they are immersed into english pretty quick.

good luck though.

also, try asking in one of the scandanavian country forums.

[Basilm87]

Hi DanGUK

I'm a Swede, not a Dane, however, the "English-situation" in Scandinavia is as described not that lucrative BUT If I were in your choose I would go one hundred percent into finding an IELTS gig in either Copenhagen or Gothenburg (fairly close to Malmo, maybe 2�-3h by train). Why I say Gothenburg instead of Malmo is just because the "larger" and main IELTS institutions here in Sweden are in Stockholm, Falun and Gothenburg and I believe Copenhagen has a similar IELTS institution as Stockholm.

IELTS is the best choice in regards to both salary and opportunities to work in Denmark and Sweden (and Scandinavia for the matter).
Just logon ielts.org and go to Copenhagens IELTS office, call/write them and do the same for Gothenburgs office and see if there are any openings as an IELTS administrator, vigilator or something of the sort.

As to how students are here in Sweden/Denmark I would say it all comes down to what age group you will be aiming for, with compulsory school students most likely being mesmerised by you and your non-swedish vocabulary, compared to Upper secondary school where you'll find more students "not caring" but also the few students who really are engaged in your classes and wants to learn.

From personal experience I know that two english speaking tutors, one from Wales and another from South Africa I believe started out as temps at my local university in English classes on literature, grammar and so on. Later on both received fulltime positions teaching various english-related topics both in classroms and through our online "blackboard" programs.

Just ask if you have some other questions, I am though not a teacher, not a native-speaker, but a Swede with a BA in English :p

[vashdown2]

Thanks Basil for the information!! Great stuff.

[Ixchel]

I spent a year in Denmark (Odense) as an exchange student during high school and not everyone spoke English and not everyone spoke it fluently. I had two sets of host parents and only one of the four spoke English. My second and longer host mother used to speak Danish to me with an American accent. I would imagine the job market is extremely tight but not impossible.