Job Discussion Forums

[spiral78]

The laws vary by country. Germany's a bit more open today than it was a year or two ago, when Americans who'd been working legally there for a few years had to leave because work permits weren't renewed.
Netherlands, essentially impossible to actually get a contract, as the government specifically states that English language teachers are not eligible for non-EU exceptions. France is also nearly impossible outside of some student visa options.

The best idea is to post on country-specific forums, if you really need detailed info - even better, go to the Embassy websites of the countries you're interested in. Laws change, and we can only give general info based on our personal experiences here...

[Ezra555]

I was hoping to teach in Budapest approx. a year from now. As an American -- even with CELTA, experience, and references -- is it just beginning to become very difficult to secure a paying job in Central Europe?

[ecocks]

Eastern Europe as well. Ukraine is beginning to show signs of stabilization.

[sparks]

It's getting more and more difficult anywhere in the EU. Schengen seems to be spreading further East making it very difficult to secure working papers.

[Ezra555]

I hope this isn't too stupid or pointless a question...I'm planning on working in Asia for a year or two starting September 2008. I need to accumulate some savings. I REALLY want to live in Hungary, Poland, Romania or (if I have enough savings) Czech Republic. I devoted much of my university years to the region, and would like the opportunity to continue my education on location, so to speak. The major cities offer the most attraction for me (for the political atmosphere).

I feel I�m a fairly attractive candidate for employment, but is the fact that I�m a Canadian-American going to keep me out?

And�

If all else fails, is the Central European Teaching Program (CETP) going to be around? I don�t want to start any rumors or anything, but if there is NO way I�m getting into any EU states, I may reconsider my dedication to getting the CELTA this summer. Is the CETP a strong program, or is it something that is going to disappear in a year or two (b/c of the visa climate)? I�m not expecting definitive answers�just thoughts.

Thanks.

I just spent 15 minutes pacing my apartment cursing�

[Ezra555]

Just to be clear�by �continuing my education� I mean just continuing my own private interest in the region�not by attending any institution.

[spiral78]

Ok, it doesn't apply directly to me - but I seriously doubt that the CR is going to entirely shut out North American EFL teachers over the next few years. Reason being that language teachers aren't paid tons of money in the CR, and many UK teachers prefer to go to Spain, Italy, or France (for sun or money? )

[SueH]

Well, you certainly don't come to Italy for the money!

[sparks]

As far as I know, for Poland, at least, you can still go the route of getting a school to sponsor you and get your working papers the same as before Schengen. Shengen only makes it more difficult for people to cross boarders and live here illegally. The problem is that most schools only hire people who they can interview in person. By the time you find a school to sponsor you, get settled and whatnot it's time to leave again. Also getting the proper papers, for Americans, involves going back to the States and going to a consulate to get your visa.

[Mike_2007]

Another possible option is to work as an outsourced worker. I'm not sure how valid this is in the various countries but I know it used to work in Romania.

Basically you sign a work contract with a company in your home country, and then you are sub-contracted to a company in your target country (the school, for example). As you are paid by the home country company you don't need a work permit for the new country, although the contract allows you to get your hands on a residence permit. That might only give you one year in-country though (unrenewable for four).

Of course, the whole plan depends on you having a contact with a company back in the US (he doesn't actually have to pay or invoice the school, just give you a contract saying he is) and also the school agreeing to it. The point is that once you've got the residence permit in hand nobody is going to bother checking how legitimate it is, as long as the company in the US has provided the correct documents for you to take to the permit-issuing body.

Anyway, not sure if this works everywhere but I know it used to. If you are really desperate it could be worth looking into. If the school can't be arsed to employ you directly, they might consider employing you as a sub-contractor if it means they don't have to go through the hassle of getting you a work permit. Or if you have a contact with a company in your target country, they can 'employ' you and you can just freelance for a year, and give yourself time to test the waters and find something more legit.

Cheers,
Mike