Job Discussion Forums

MajorMajor · Joined: 09 Mar 2009 Posts: 9 Location: Praha

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MajorMajor · Joined: 09 Mar 2009 Posts: 9 Location: Praha

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I suspect Neville has a new identity. Whoever MajorMajor may be, he's obviously highly invested in this, based on very little background. Luckily, I've got a Saturday night to go about. Enjoy.

Hopefully, the OP (who deserved actual info) has long since taken on board whatever he found useful here.

To sum up my contribution to this post, since the OP has been in Korea for a couple of years and probably has some savings, if he's really keen to try Europe, I think it's a reasonable step to come over. Keeping in mind that it's VERY unlikely to find a legal job in Greece, Italy, or Spain, it would be a really nice holiday, and - there's a (very slim) chance you might get lucky somehow.

The worst case scenario is that you have a great holiday in the South of Europe, and hopefully have a fall-back in Korea or somewhere else.

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Mike_2007 · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 349 Location: Bucharest, Romania

hollysuel · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 225 Location: Connecticut, USA

Mike_2007 · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 349 Location: Bucharest, Romania

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

John said: Happy 3000 posts, Spiral --

Thanks! I hadn't notices Very Happy

Too bad it had to be a conflict situation. I'll celebrate 10+ years as a regular on Dave's in some small way today.

Naturegirl asked: Really? People from OZ can work there legally? Why-s that?

People from N. American, Australia, and NZ can apply for legal working papers in many of the 'new' EU countries. It's more or less a hassle, depending on the country, but it's do-able. You know this already - it's not new news to you!

Which leads me to what Mikey Said: The point I was making was that there are legal teaching jobs for US citizens in the EU. Harder to find, sure, but they are there. People shouldn't be discouraged from looking into it

I absolutely agree. The point I have been making is that in some countries (Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Netherlands), for newbie level teachers, there is near-zero hope of finding a legal job. Other countries inside the EU ARE decent options (eg Czech Rep, Poland, Slovakia, etc.).

I think the point that got overlooked here is that the OP was not asking about the EU - but about Spain, Italy, and Greece specifically. He is obviously quite welcome to come over and try, but it's very important to have realistic expectations when you're going abroad. If he arrives this summer, ideally he will already know that his chances are slim in these countries - and he can extend his search to some of the easier options - 'new' EU countries, if he wishes.

I'm very happy to help people get located in Europe. North American newbies get helpful advice from me when they are targeting countries where they have a decent chance of landing a job. I've also given some tips to N. Americans and Aussies with better-than-average quals on getting into international schools or trying to compete for university positions that will sponsor visas, in countries where newbies wouldn't really have a reasonable chance.

Anyway, overall, thanks for your interest and sometime support on this thread - it's appreciated!

hollysuel · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 225 Location: Connecticut, USA

jonniboy · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:06 pm Post subject:

tsm174 · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Dongtan, South Korea

Hey guys. Wow! Thank you everyone for the advice and time you put into trying to help me. It seems an argument broke out over the weekend! I'm sorry to have sparked that, but I know both sides were just trying to help and I really do appreciate it. I know a lot of you said that without a Master's and some connections, I pretty much dont' stand a chance, so I have begun to look into masters programs for English (which would go right along with my goal of becoming a college professor anyway!). Also when I said that my grandmother was British, I should have mentioned that she is actually a farely well known Shakespear and Milton scholar and professor who has spoken at colleges all over the US and Europe. My dad said she made quite a few friends doing this over the years, and I can only hope that she can help me in my quest to teach in Europe. To be perfectly honest, I have my sight set on Italy, and I have made my mind up not to settle for less. Who knows, maybe I can find a way to study for my masters and teach there at the same time. I'm a bit of dreamer, so I appreciate the hope that some of you gave. At the same time, I'm glad for the harsh reality of the situation. Thanks again for everyone that posted! If I ever make it over there I'll let you know Smile

ITTP · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 343 Location: Prague/Worldwide

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I just wanted to add a last post to this thread to write that I try never to get personal on this forum.
However, I think it is unwise to assume that everything written by her (Spiral) is accurate and this has been brought up for example on the Czech Republic forum concerning Prague info.

That's not personal? Rolling Eyes

I guess you're referring to our argument about the availability of good restaurant meals in Prague for 100kc or less.

Of course, ITTP's posts are always 100% accurate Shocked

ITTP: it would be directly useful information if you could tell the forum exactly how those American grads of your teacher training program were able to get legal work in France.

If you read the France forum, you'll find some posts from Americans who tried really hard to achieve this, and were frustrated. I'm sure it would be really interesting to hear what the loophole/s may be, so that we can steer newbies in the right directions...