Job Discussion Forums

[Wide eyed wanderer]

Hello!

I just finished a 1year contract in Korea and now I am looking to teach in Europe. From what I know it is very difficult to get a teaching job in western Europe because they usually have people from the EU teach English or you would have to be fluent in their language. I am unfortunately only fluent in English. Is it true that it's really hard to get into Western Europe?

The countries that I was interested in include: France, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Russia and Spain. Does anyone have opinions on these countries and what they are like to teach in?

Also which of these countries require a TESL certificate. I have a TESOL from Oxford Seminars, but I have found out since then it is pretty useless. Should I go ahead and get another certificate now, or wait until I get job offers? Apparently some schools want you to get a certificate from their school anyway, so is there any point in spending money on those TESL certificates?

Lastly if I do get a TESL certificate, what is the best one to get? I don't want to make the same mistake before.

[markcmc]

Finding a job in Europe will be harder if you are not an EU citizen, but many North Americans do work there. You need to choose a country and find out about the local situation there. Employers can sponsor you for a work visa. You need to plan ahead - unless you choose to work illegally, which many do.

In Europe most employers ask for the CELTA or the Trinity Cert (TESOL). Russia is not in the EU of course - and neither is Switzerland, but they seem to be already pretty good at English.

[Insubordination]

If you're Canadian and under 35, you could get a one year Working Holiday Visa to many of those countries.

[mimi_intheworld]

Please note that most (all?) of those countries are Schengen countries.

[spiral78]

The countries that I was interested in include: France, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Russia and Spain. Does anyone have opinions on these countries and what they are like to teach in?

On a working holiday visa, you may have chances in Western Europe.
Check the Canadian Embassy websites for more info on this.

Otherwise: meaning without a working holiday visa:

You have a legal chance in Poland, the Czech Rep, possibly Romania and Russia. Spain only if you want to go illegally. This is a risk - you can only stay in the Schengen zone 90 days and then you have to leave for 90 days (google Schengen zone for more info and a list of member countries). Penalties for overstay include up to a 10 year ban on entering the zone, and deportation.

Also which of these countries require a TESL certificate. I have a TESOL from Oxford Seminars, but I have found out since then it is pretty useless. Should I go ahead and get another certificate now, or wait until I get job offers?

All of Europe will require a 'real' certification. You could consider getting it in the country where you want to work - but choose a country where you can legally work.

The job market here is very different than it is in Asia. You will need to choose a country where you can get legal permits, and then come over and talk to employers. It is very rare that jobs in this region are found from abroad - you should expect start-up costs including travel to the country and rent etc until you land a job and work at least the first month (employers pay at the end of a month worked - and landlords want their money in advance).

Also, keep in mind that your Korea experience may not count for much with employers here. The approaches and methods used in Asia, and the expectations of students, are VERY different. Experience in Asia won't necessarily put you in ahead of another newbie here on the ground with a new CELTA and a professional manner.

[Wide eyed wanderer]

Thanks everyone! Another thing is I plan to start in January. I know that a lot of schools start looking for teachers in January. Is it much harder to find a job in January?

[markcmc]

It's a lot harder, but it's certainly possible. I've done exactly this in both Spain & Portugal, but I had to contact a lot of schools. In Spain over 80, and in Portugal over 40.

But in each case I found jobs. Good luck!

[Roundtrip]

Wide-Eyed, I don't know how old you are, but I advise you to get into Europe before you hit 55. I just turned 60, and although I am certified in every grade, have excellent recommendations, and have a Masters in German, I can't even get an interview in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. I've heard Europe won't issue work visas to those over 55.
I have had a few offers in China. I am ESOL endorsed, but the schools that have been interested in me didn't even seem to care about that. As long as you are a native English speaker, that's all they seem to care about.

[AGoodStory]

[santi84]

If you are Canadian, then there are several opportunities available in Canada to teach English in France although most of them require some level of French.

Here's an interesting website:
http://www.ambafrance-ca.org/spip.php?article1950

(I don't believe proficient French is required)

[naturegirl321]

[spiral78]

[Roundtrip]

A Good Story~International Schools Services (ISS) put out a list that posted the age restriction for work visas for the countries of the world. You can access the ISS site to get that list. Europe listed the age restriction of 55. My dream is to return to Austria to work and then retire. You've give me new hope. Thank you.

[spiral78]

International schools may apply different standards, due to pension and health benefits. However, these are not national - private schools and universities most definitely hire after age 55, in the case that a candidate is needed and has the qualifications sought.

The other factors are still important, as AGoodStory noted above:

1. the ratio of applicants to available jobs,

2. or holding a non-EU passport--assuming you do?

3. Were you there applying in person?

4. My impression was that there were very few jobs to be had in either Switzerland or Austria to begin with. (this is indeed true).

[think_balance]