Job Discussion Forums

[ontoit]

Being in Germany is grand, but it's not wise, I think, to ever be in someone's employ whilst enjoying your Leberkase und Brotchen with one of those delicious pots of coffee at the corner cafe. I was interpreting during my youthful Abenteuer in Deutschland instead of teaching; but the pre-Euro pay for that was not impressive either, and I soured just a tad at having to keep both eyes on the the company's local frontman to make sure I got my due - dang, but there were just so many holes through which the low pay seemed to drain.

I was younger then and relentlessly unaware of the possibilities. Now I'm older and a whole lot farther East where the pay is sinfully high. Even here, though, self-employment is one of the proofs of the existence of God.

If you are not visa challenged, then self-employment means you can undercut the schools and the cheese-wad private companies and still triple your income. This also applies to translating, I think. In-house puts you on a relatively low salary, akin, I think to teaching for Berlitz or one of the others, and freelance through the agencies puts you at half or less of what the client is paying.

What I'm saying is that those intending to live off of their English should so act as to direct their lives toward self-employment.

[JZer]

[jammish]

The rates of pay I read about for Europe are shocking. Here in china, for extra hours outside of my normal schedule, my school pays 200 RMB - around 20 Euros - for an hour and a half. now, this rate is slightly lower than the rates being mentioned in Europe, but bear in mind that the employer is already providing me with a free apartment, and paying all my bills. Plus cost of living here is somewhat cheaper than Western Europe...

[dagi]

The rates for teaching are not only shocking when it comes to teaching English, whatever language you want to teach in Germany you will barely make enough to make ends meet.
There is a German forum for teachers who teach German as a second language and the jobs that are posted there by companies are simply outrageous. If 10� an hour is offered, it's considered good pay. German newspaper die ZEIT had an article about low-paid jobs two weeks ago and they also interviewed a language teacher. The guy worked 40+ hours a week and at the end of the month his income was as much as the social benefits he would get.

[scot47]

JZer

I would love to work in Germany but I know what the work situation is ! My solution is to wortk in a place where I get a decent salary and visit Germany for my holidays. In Mecklenburg next week !

Seems to me that many TEFLers have difficulty in accepting the realities of the job market !

[astr0_b0y]

I posted on this website about 7 months ago about moving to Germany and trying to find work as an English Teacher. I aventually found a pub job for 7.5� an hour and some teaching for 12� an hour, but I have worked hard and for the past week have been payed 35� an hour and landed a full time contract for about 38,000� a year plus benefits and less tax.

So it is possible to make it all work out, just stick to it, work hard, and keep looking for better jobs, better employers and better pay.

I actually have a german class to go to now (one of the before mentioned free benefits) so....... bye
Matt in Mainz.....

ps hey Prophet

[JZer]

[astr0_b0y]

Yes, it is in Frankfurt. I have been working at a number of second language schools, all small ones, for 10�-12� an hour...yes an hour. It is painful to work for so little money, but I have got used to it.

After a long time searching for work as a regular, full time primary school teacher, I found this place in Frankfurt willing to give me a full time contract. They gave me a full time 40h a week contract with holidays etc.

I must also complete a 2 year degree from a London University specialising in there method of teaching.

Keep in mind, I am a Primary School teacher with a BA degree in Teaching etc.

As for the 35� an hour, that is only when I work for them casually, like the work we all do for 12� an hour or so. But this is a prestigious private school in the center of the Frankfurt business district.

Matt in Mainz....Germany

[JZer]

Well congrats! Do you have an EU passport?

[astr0_b0y]

Thanx mate.
No EU passport, I am going through all the same work permit stuff that every else has to. long waits for permits: work, residency or otherwise.

I have a work permit for the duration of my new contract and a near garenteed exension on my residency.

Matt

[zach_w]

Hello everyone,

I've been reading some of the comments and replies on this topic and have simply come to the conclusion that you must be picking the wrong city to live and work as an EFL teacher. I am working in Hannover and am making 16� per teaching hour. I am averaging between 20 and 30 (sometimes more) hours per week. I'm making better money here than I was in Poland, and I enjoy working for inlingua more than I thought I would. I read such bad reviews on inlingua that I was a little scared, but they seem to be a really good school here in Hannover. My insurance expenses are around 115�/ month for really good Allianz insurance and food and rent here in Hannover are about as cheap as they come in Germany. I eat very well (lots of beef and chicken) and I spend around 20 - 25� per week on food. A transit card for two zones is a little expensive at �57,50 per month, but I can ride all trains, trams and buses within two zones- which covers the city plus a few outlying areas.

To get to the point: you won't strike it rich in Germany, but it's a nice place to live and work as a Canadian without a university degree. The people are friendly for the most part, the transportation systems are quick and reliable, and English is spoken by a lot of of folks. I like it here so much more than in Poland and it kind of sucks to hear so many people complaining about it. Good luck and take care.

-Zach

[abusalam4]

Hi, folks -
you aree right when complaining about the pay at German private-run language schools. There is a system behind this - they pay the same low wages even to German freelancers teaching German as a Foreign Language. With a pay of 10-15 Euros an hour, you are supposed to pay for your tax, health and other insurance. You will not get paid in case of holidays, etc.
I know these school owners (I am a German myself) and I last worked for them in 1982 and never again since.
For more decent employment, you may be better off somewhere else, here in Germany it means exploitation for them make money on your back to the fullest.
All I can say is: DO NOT WORK FOR THEM!

[Hod]

It�s wicked that Hannover is working out so well for your good self. I once had a currywurst at the train station. It was very nice.

I have to say, though, I wrote the original post some four years ago. Your pay is the same as I was getting back then. Most salaries tend to go up as the years go by, something to do with inflation whatever that is. I�m not knocking you as I can imagine it can be quite a bonus to leave Poland - believe me I�ve visited Warsaw three times, and it ain�t nice. Then again, your 20 and 30 (sometimes more) hours per week seems about as insightful and accurate as reading the tea leaves. Do you get this every single week of the year? Really? Of course you do, and me? I score a hat trick every weekend for Bayer Leverkusen. And you also come from Canada. Not that that�s relevant. Then again, it is � a lot in fact. Factor in the costs to travel home and see your folks once in a while and all that. How about you do some sums (I�m not gonna do it for you) and state your average take-home pay over twelve months.

[Deicide]

EFL sucks; it sucks in Germany too, especially so there.

[Hod]