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Europe-not a living wage to be found.
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sharter



Joined: 25 Jun 2008
Posts: 878
Location: All over the place
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 11:33 am    Post subject: Europe-not a living wage to be found. Reply with quote
EVERY single EFL teacher I know in Europe is flat broke. There is something not right about that. EFL is a holiday job not a career.
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tttompatz



Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 12:05 pm    Post subject: Re: Europe-not a living wage to be found. Reply with quote
sharter wrote:
EVERY single EFL teacher I know in Europe is flat broke. There is something not right about that. EFL is a holiday job not a career.


Darned good thing you told me that. After years and years at ESL/EFL I would have never guessed that someone could not make a career out of it.

House on 5 hectares bought and paid for.
No debt of any kind.
Comfortable job in a decent place with nice weather
Savings on the order of 650 pounds per month AND a comfortable lifestyle.

Crying shame that this is only a temp, holiday job.

Maybe, if you are qualified, you should consider looking outside of the EU.

.
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spiral78



Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I reckon that many EFL ers at the newbie level in Europe are living on tight finances. It's a hirer's job market, and has been for a long time.

However, most teachers who have dug into a region and put in the time and energy needed to get more quals, learn the local language, and make good local contacts do better.

I had a very decent package of wage and benefits, but it was at an international university, and it's true that those jobs are thin on the ground. And require significant qualifications, connections, and luck to find.
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denise



Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
That is the norm, but I wonder if you know EFL teachers in a wide range of jobs--including those rare gems that spiral78 alluded to--or just entry-level language school teachers with entry-level qualifications. Europe is certainly not the place to go to save big bucks (and thanks to the EU it's also off-limits to folks like me with the wrong passport Sad ), but there are always exceptions... Very rare in the EU, though. And once you leave Europe, you can indeed make a proper career of this.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go and finish packing for the holiday that I was easily able to pay for on my EFL salary, and that I have earned after a full semester of real work! Wink

d
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Enigma2011



Joined: 28 Dec 2010
Posts: 60
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:45 pm    Post subject: Re: Europe-not a living wage to be found. Reply with quote
sharter wrote:
EVERY single EFL teacher I know in Europe is flat broke. There is something not right about that. EFL is a holiday job not a career.


Sounds like Mexico City. Of course there are ways one can make a living in Mexico City AND teach EFL.

Have a spouse who has a REAL job.
Have a spouse who has properties and uses them for rent
Use naive newbies to work for you.
Have a SS check or pension coming in from the U.S.

EFL alone....not good.

Many in Mexico who don't suck off of their wives or spouses are broke as well my friend. My advice would be to get back to your home country and find a real job,or do like the ones who SAY they are doing well.
Be a brownnoser, I mean a networker. Rolling Eyes
Or as they say in Mexico...have an ENGAGING PERSONALITY. Rolling Eyes
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denise



Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Um, don't know if your comment was targeted at me, but I am doing well. And no, I am not a brownnoser. Rolling Eyes

Here's why I am doing well: I have an MA, 10ish years of experience, and I work in the Gulf. I am single, so no husband to mooch off of.

Seriously, people who *think* EFL sucks as a profession are going to have a rough time of it. Self-fulfilling prophecy... Change your attitude, get some qualifications, and work in countries that pay decent wages.

d
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Guy Courchesne



Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
We stopped feeding trolls in the Mexico forum so you'll have to excuse us as they wander out hungry.

Quote:
Seriously, people who *think* EFL sucks as a profession are going to have a rough time of it. Self-fulfilling prophecy... Change your attitude, get some qualifications, and work in countries that pay decent wages.


Best advice right there...the starting jobs are great if you're looking for a year abroad and some experience but one ultimately either chooses to get out or get on the career path in EFL. Upgrade the education for the latter, I think, goes without saying?
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TeresaLopez



Joined: 18 Apr 2010
Posts: 601
Location: Mexico City
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:52 pm    Post subject: Re: Europe-not a living wage to be found. Reply with quote
tttompatz wrote:

Darned good thing you told me that. After years and years at ESL/EFL I would have never guessed that someone could not make a career out of it.


Yeah, we are always getting the same thing in the Mexico forum, even though there are plenty of us that are doing just fine, as you are. I suspect they are people with few qualifications, and a big sense of entitlement, that think just because they speak English they can teach it. There seem to be more and more posts along those lines - where can I get a job making a lot of money even though I have not training or background, but, hey I speak English. I know 20 or 30 teachers well enough to know the condition of their finances, and they are all doing just fine, and some more than fine. The only �teachers�that seem to have problems are the ones that post here.
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spiral78



Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 4:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Um, don't know if your comment was targeted at me, but I am doing well. And no, I am not a brownnoser.


Could have been targeted at me too. Yes, I've done fine and can now afford to take a year off if I need to before I find something else rewarding in both financial and professional terms. Ditto the MA and years of experience.
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