Job Discussion Forums

Coolguy123 · Joined: 10 Apr 2013 Posts: 132

So I finished the CELTA...Been looking at jobs in a lot of slavic countries, and while I'm probably more interested in living in Poland or elsewhere, asia does seem to pay a lot more.

Problem is I'm not really interested in Asia or teaching kids. Call me crazy, but I'd much rather be teaching in western or eastern europe/Russia, or even latin america or somewhere. Problem is the pay is just lower at least for the jobs I've seen advertised. Are there other opportunities or should I just go someplace that I'm interested, or rather should I just sell out and teach kids in asia? ;p

One of the things I'm worried about though is professional development...having not taught adults before, I'm a little worried that expectations will be high. Of course with kids, there seems to be a bit more leeway, whereas adults paying for classes themselves might be slightly more demanding initially.

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland

Nah, you're not crazy.

You're just on the wrong segment of the supply and demand curves that determine compensation.

It all boils down to you prioritizing your wants and needs versus available jobs.

I love Eastern Europe living, students, atmosphere and students so I find the money is adequate. Your situation has to be judged by you.

If you are going to put money as a high factor in your decision process, then expect EE to drop a bit when ranking your alternatives.

You sound like you realized this, think it through and do what YOU want.

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

Coolguy, this is is a dilemma I know too well. I've taught in Asia (Vietnam and Thailand) and Poland for a number of years.

One thing that has kept me teaching in Poland so long is that the Poles are more serious about, and capable of, learning English.

However, living in Thailand for a year and traveling was an amazing experience, even though the job teaching kids often sucked - I felt like I was 1/3 teacher, 1/3 babysitter, 1/3 riot police.

It all comes down to what you're goals are:

Want to develop as a teacher and/or do some partying? Come to Poland!

Want to save money, travel and experience a completely different culture? SE Asia is your bet.

Just remember, whether you go, to find out as much as you possibly can about the school before you sign on the dotted line.

Oh, and teaching kids isn't only an Asian thing - you'll likely be 'encouraged' to jump on the kiddy bandwagon in Eastern Europe too.

Infinite · Joined: 05 Jan 2013 Posts: 235

I was completely uninterested in teaching kids. Having two myself, I thought that the last thing I needed in my life was dealing with them at work. It's true that it requires more prep than teaching adults, but if you spend some extra time during your first year, it gets much easier the following year. You can also experiment a lot more and try new techniques, tricks and ideas. It's cool... if you're trying to become a real teacher, if you're just another backpacker looking to score, drink, party and kick it with the local homeboys however, then this is far more hustle than you'd ever want.

Coolguy123 · Joined: 10 Apr 2013 Posts: 132

Well, I want to become a real teacher, but I don't think that I want to be a real kindergarten teacher. I'd want to be a real teacher teaching older students, not a backpacker teaching kids to be in a foreigner country.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 12:13 pm Post subject:

Come to Russia. Teach grown-ups. Develop as a teacher. And, you can make some serious money here also. But probably not in your first year. You'll have to cut your teeth as it were, for the first 9 to 12 months. Which is why you'll be better off in a Moscow McSchool (See Russia board) and that may include kiddies. Then branch out, and rake in the cash.

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

Dynow's right that teaching kids doesn't have to be more preparation intensive than teaching adults. After you get some experience and have a bank of games, flashcards, stories and activities for them, you can rock up to a kids group and knock out a decent lesson pretty much on the fly.

Teaching kids doesn't mean you're not a 'real teacher' either. It's a completely different job from teaching adults. However, most schools in Poland treat kids lessons like a little 'add-on' to your normal adult teaching timetable and don't provide much support. Asia's often even worse.

But if you find a good school that supports you, teaching kids can be just as rewarding, and a lot better paying, than teaching adults.

Mike from MI · Joined: 26 Aug 2013 Posts: 13

Hi all. I'll be getting my CELTA in Wroclaw in November 2013. According to this page http://paiz.gov.pl/polish_law/employment_of_foreigners_in_Poland#8, foreign language teachers don't need work permits (as employees). Is this correct? It seems too easy. What's the catch?

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland

Mike from MI · Joined: 26 Aug 2013 Posts: 13

My plan is to get the CELTA, return to the US, and then try to get a job that would start in Sept. 2014. I guess a lot of jobs run Sept. - May? I'd like to return to the US during the summers, at least initially. I see that there is a long-stay visa for stays of up to a year. Could I get one of those for 9 months, go back to the US for 3 months, then get another long-stay visa for 9 months, and repeat?

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

delphian-domine · Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 674

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

Imagine being Mexican and trying to get a green card......there you go.

Mike from MI · Joined: 26 Aug 2013 Posts: 13

Thanks for your replies. So for my first year, should I arrive in Poland on a 90-day visa, get a job (perhaps having sent CVs and arranged interviews before arriving), and rely on my employer to sort out my visa for the duration of my contract?