Job Discussion Forums

[DosEquisX]

In Spain, it's peak hiring season for schools. I'm living in Valencia at the moment and have been searching for a job here for almost 2 weeks. In that time, I've had 6 interviews including a streak of one interview every business days for the past five business days and haven't had much luck. Either I didn't want the job or they didn't want me. What I'd like to do is prepare for a backup in case things go wrong and I can't get a job. I'd like to avoid going to the Far East or Southeast Asia. I am an epileptic and I may have a hard time finding my necessary medicine.

The ESL job market in Spain appears to dry up in October. So, I need to go to a place that doesn't dry up then. I have a CELTA and teaching experience. Is the job market the same way in other European countries in October? Russia and Turkey might not be part of the EU, but do they have the same hiring seasons that the EU countries do?

[spiral78]

Most job contracts in the region are Sept/October through June. There is little new work around in Oct/Nov/Dec. Small hiring bump is common in January, to accommodate contracts that schools land starting in Jan and to make up for teachers who don't return from winter holidays.

I can speak directly for Netherlands and Czech Rep: October is bleak.

You might try Luxembourg - there used to be two language schools in Lux. city which hire for banking industry stuff. EU citizens only and it's not a particularly attractive location because 1. weather is similar to London and 2. split shifts at very early/late hours are the norm. And my info on Luxembourg is 10 years old, so things may well have changed, but in the past there were sometimes openings in Oct.

[DosEquisX]

Does the same apply for Russia and Turkey?

Just trying to find something if I can't hook up a job by the end of September.

[spiral78]

Maybe post on the Turkey and Russia forums. In my limited experience in both countries, October isn't any sort of peak hiring period, but ask the experts - they don't all hang out here.

[Solar Strength]

[spiral78]

I liked Luxembourg, but I'm not in particular need of a fast-paced life. The city is small but very nice. Ten years ago: Students are mostly in the financial sector, had English in high school, and need to improve it to meet standards to work in international banking. Heavier on native French speakers than German. French is the language of daily business; the local language for daily life - except that masses of people commute in and out from France daily. They tend not to be very motivated, as English isn't a daily necessity. Split shifts common; heavy on evening classes. Travel around the city and even over borders to reach the offices of students. Few materials provided; heavy on prep.
Housing costs very high; food and entertainment and travel relatively low.
Overall, in the city when I was there, probably about 30 ESL teachers max. It's a small place. Don't send streams of teachers there; job market will be saturated with one or two newbies per year.

[PhoenixSpirit]

Can't answer on Turkey, but Russia will still be hiring in October. I only recently arrived out here 3 weeks ago, but I'm enjoying the experience so far.

[Solar Strength]

[Sashadroogie]

There are still job opportunities in Russia now, but by the time the visa process is through with you, you'd be starting work no earlier than the very end of October, probably mid-November.

[DosEquisX]

Is the visa process faster as an American citizen or as a citizen of an EU country? Or is there no difference?

[PhoenixSpirit]