Job Discussion Forums

[nz_taniwha]

Hi everyone, thought the Newbie forum was a good place to introduce myself.

I'm 25 years old, from New Zealand, and I start the 4-week CELTA on June 27. I've been working full-time as a journalist since I graduated university, and now have very itchy feet and can't wait to head overseas and experience something new.

I'm just not sure where to go, and would love some advice and information to help me narrow down my choices.

My fascination and hope has been to teach in Central or Eastern Europe, somewhere in the vicinity of Turkey, Czech Republic, Albania, Slovakia, etc. Would consider teaching absolutely anywhere in the world, though. I don't necessarily 'have to' to earn a whole lot of money (and I gather in that area you generally don't) but if I lived frugally and had enough to head away for the occasional weekend elsewhere, then fantastic. I don't mind living somewhere semi-rural or small, but love cities too.

I have a Bachelor degree, will have CELTA (with no official experience apart from the lessons we give to volunteer students during the CELTA course) and no citizenship claims anywhere apart from my native New Zealand. My CELTA course finishes on July 25, and I'd be free to get on a plane any time after that.

Would love some suggestions on which countries and/or cities might be might be my best shot of getting a job in in August or so - and whether it would be more beneficial to actually head there first and pound the pavements and knock on doors, or whether it would be feasible to apply for something online.

Let me know if there's anything else that's relevant.

[spiral78]

I'm not that familar with the job market in Turkey, but the other countries you mention are part of 'my' territory.

You sound as though you have reasonable expectations in terms of salary and you're aware that you need to be here on the ground to get a job lined up, so you know something about start-up costs. That's all solid.

Timing: as a non-EU member citizen, you get 90 days in the zone on tourist status. Your goal will be to arrive, and get a school to hire you and agree to jump through the paperwork hoops before your 90 day clock expires.
Because most school officials will be on holiday in August, you might want to time your arrival for the end (25, perhaps) of August, in order to maximise your first month in terms of making effective contacts. While you may find some school directors around to talk to you during the big holiday month, many really will be away.

So far as location, Prague is a hotbed of training centres, so there are lots and lots of newbies on the streets there. Slovakia is a bit easier to find work in, and you could also consider Poland, perhaps. Smaller cities can be easier to find work in general.

In your place, I'd do some searches and send introductory emails to schools in places that look good to you. You may not get any replies, but it can't hurt. I'd also check the country-specific forums below. There are lots of teachers on the ground in the countries you mention who will be willing to help out with info specific to the country.

Good luck!

[nz_taniwha]

Thanks so much, I appreciate that steer in the right direction. Good to know about what could be a decent time to arrive, and that actually being there will probably be the best bet. (Looks like I can squeeze in 10 days holiday on a South East Asian beach somewhere on the way - excellent!)

Yes Poland is definitely a possibility.

Now I just have to pick a country, I guess! And think about firing off a few emails.

[naturegirl321]

I put it on your other post, but look into Sharing OUr langauge. It's a UK NGO that places teachers in those areas.