Job Discussion Forums

[spiral78]

There's a bit of an argument on the General Europe forum regarding how common it is for North Americans to be legally hired in the new EU member countries, including the Czech Rep.

What do you think about the availability of jobs for non-EU teachers these days?

The poster on the G.Europe forum states that it's very difficult to be hired legally in the new EU states, and that it takes 30 interviews to get a job. He/she goes on to say that pay for North Americans is (*&^, implying that they are paid less than Brits.

I've taken issue with this post, because I'm entirely sure it's not the case, but, hey, update me. Have things taken a sudden dive for the worse for non-EU citizens?

[ToddandJenn]

We're not actually in the CR yet (so take this for what it's worth), but we've been doing over a year's worth of research into teaching there. I've looked at the websites of many, many schools and their hiring requirements, and only a small number of them say they will only hire EU teachers. Now whether that actually translates into jobs for non-EU teachers I don't know, but I do know that, as you've mentioned several times Spiral, schools in countries like Spain always stipulate applicants must be EU. So it would seem, from our preliminary research at least, that jobs do exist. Our CELTA school also said that it wasn't too difficult-- take that for what it's worth as well.

What I see as being a bigger challenge for non-EU people like us is the entry of many of these countries into the Schengen Treaty at the end of this year. It will take away the option of border runs to Germany to "renew" a person's 90 days in he country while he/she waits for the work permits and residence visas to come through.

We've got our fingers crossed that we'll have the paperwork sorted out by the time the Schengen entry becomes official, because we're not sure what exactly will happen if it doesn't. We emailed the embassy, but they sent a very short and not very helpful response.

Anyway Spiral, I hope that gives you some useful information.

[spiral78]

Todd and Jenn - I'm sure you'll be fine. I'm really taking exception to this poster who says non-EU citizens have serious trouble competing on the job market in the new EU member countries.

I'd be interested in what TEFL-Prague and other training centres have to say about this. They'll know how strongly North American newbie teachers compete on the job market today.

[Frizzie Lizzie]

I can speak of a specific case of a North-American trainee that gained her TEFL certificate in August 2006, and, with the help of her school, got a work visa from Dresden in...I believe it was February this year.
My centre helps trainees find jobs in Prague in the sense that their CVs are sent out to schools and they are set up with interviews, and I can say that North-Americans are hired just as easily as the Brits. The paperwork, however, is a completely different matter. I cannot say how many of those North-Americans working here are legal or not.
I didn't realise the Czech Republic was going to become part of the Schengen space so soon. If that's the case, it will be literally impossible for non-EU passport holders to work here without the right papers.

[Sigma]

I'm Canadian and I have found a job in the Czech Republic, so it is possible. My employer and I are going through all the necessary paper work at the moment.

[ITTP]

Hi Spiral.

I know that a lot of non-EU teachers were worried when the CZ joined the EU because they thought that all the jobs would automatically go to the Brits as it would be much easier for Brits to be employed legally by schools.

It is much easier for Brits to be legally employed through a school here but the trend clearly shows that accession to the EU did not have a significant effect on the job prospects of N.Americans.

Spain is a whole different kettle of fish though - a country which has been swamped in recent years with qualified TEFL/TESOL and PGCE qualified Brits who all want that piece of the sun.

Still, N.American English is hugely popular and I think this is perhaps the major reason why jobs are always going to be available for Canadian and (perhaps more specifically) US citizens.
Regarding some of the 'older' EU countries like Spain and Italy - it can be a real task getting the right job and arranging the right papers but it is doable (as we have seen). Regarding the 'new' EU states such as Poland and Czch Republic - we see the current trend continuing and this is a reflection of student demand and general relaxed attitude towards migrant teachers from the West (from both sides of the Atlantic).

[workingnomad]

[ITTP]

Hi workingnomad.

It isn't a matter of just an accent and we have had students who have, for example, specifically requested a US teacher based on the assumption that they would better know US business English terminology.

Granted - if there was a choice between a Brit or N.American then it would definitely be easier getting the Brit legal. Still though, both Brits AND N.Americans find it terribly easy to secure teaching positions in Prague after completion of their TEFL/TESOL course.

Btw, welcome to Prague and all the best here!

[merlin]

Believe it or not the eyes of many Czechs still light up a bit when they hear I'm American. Sure, not so much as it did 10 years ago, but it's still there if you look.

When I travel in Europe and want to talk to someone for a while I say I'm American. When I just want to brush someone off and have a moment alone I say I'm British (and it's never happned but I have several ridiculous names of places on the tip of my tongue if they ask for specifics).

So, just being American won't by itself get you a job nor will it get most employers to bend over backwards for you to get all your visa paperwork done, but if you have you can legally work in Czech you'll have no problem with getting teaching hours.

Some schools will hire illegal workers but as schools get respectable and pay decent wages they tend to do this less and less.

Here's the bottom line for Americans: If you can do the visa paperwork and legwork yourself without bothering schools more than a little about it, you're technically par with British teachers but a little more interesting for them. If you want them to do your visa paperwork for you they're much less likely than in the past to bend over backwards for you.

[naturegirl321]

[spiral78]

The schools will usually start the ball rolling, but it's your responsibility to follow through.

[merlin]

[johnnyappleseed]

There is a lot of talk about some students preferring North American English-accents-business terminology, etc.

But another factor is sheer numbers. (Maybe it's been mentioned.) On the whole the Czech Republic does not have enough local English teachers and needs to look abroad. While many might prefer the hiring of a British person due to it being a significantly simpler process, the truth is that 1. North America has more people and 2. Many Brits prefer a sunnier clime when travelling abroad.

There's also the added factor that Central Europe is probably a more exotic and interesting place for a North American to live in than it is for another European.

Our school prefers EU citizens due to red-tape issues and the cost of the work permit, etc; however the lion's share of applicants are definitely North American--and thus more North Americans are hired, paperwork and all.

Personally, I wish that more British citizens would apply; it is good to meet a variety of English speakers.

[mlines6]

Hello!

I am looking into taking a TEFL course in Jan or Feb in Prague then teaching English after that. I am interested in teaching in Slovakia, but will also be open to Czech Republic if nothing works out in Slovakia

I'm a little nervous about what Schengen can mean for a US citizen trying to get a job..will it really limit possibilities of non EU citizens being hired? Or will jobs still be offered, but paperwork just a bigger hassle?

Granted, I'm just in the beginning stages of my research and my concern comes from a couple of posts here.

I've heard Slovakia may delay until 08..so that could buy some time. But I hope I'm not too late for trying to get in and teach in this region. Also, I hope it isn't too hard to find a job in March. Due to budget, I may have to wait to take my course in Feb.

I wish I had an EU passport.

[Sigma]

Does the copy of my passport for a work permit application need to be notarized?