Job Discussion Forums

Matthew · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 14

Hi Everyone,

I would like to teach english in Eastern European countries such as Hungary, Czech, Slovakia, Poland etc. (anywhere!).

I have no experience, no Tesol/Celta etc. I have a BA. And I have a non EU passport (New Zealand). How easy would it be to get work with no experience?? Also would having a non eu passport make it very difficult - would I have to be an illegal?? Would turning up in the country and scouting about for work be the best way to go??

Any replies about this or living in general in those countries greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Matthew

whhels22 · Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 13

I think you will need a TEFL/CELTA certificate to teach in eastern Europe. You are already at a disadvantage not having a passport from an EU country, and not having a TEFL/CELTA will put you at a greater disadvantage. Two very important things you don't have

1.experiance
2.certificate

You need to think why would they hire you (someone with little qualifications, and no passport from an EU country)
As compared to someone with qualifications and a passport from an EU country.

Regarding your other question. Your best chance to find work in eastern Europe would be to show up here and visit the schols in person.

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

If you knock on language school doors in small towns, far from centres like Prague or Budapest, you might have some luck...... but there are many, many certified ESL teachers on the streets in the more desirable locations. Why not commit some time and energy to the job and get a cert. first?
Regarding EU citizenship, it does seem that the better language schools are offering priority to those candidates with EU passports, though it's not illegal to hire non-EUs. But there are still opps.

steampig · Joined: 27 Oct 2003 Posts: 28

Frankly, you're going to struggle. Why not try and get a CELTA? Also, just as a tip from someone who knows, please don't refer to these countries as eastern Europe. They are central Europe. It may not seem a big deal to you or me but to them it's all the difference in the world and they are touchy about it. It's as bad as clinking beer glasses in Budapest. A complete no no.

Matthew · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 14

Thanks for the replies everybody,

Yes I think a Celta would be best, and I expected your answers about difficulty getting jobs - no surprises. I suppose some experience elsewhere such as Asia might also be good for a year.

But do you know if it would be possible with my situation in the "Real" Eastern Europe, such as the Ukraine or even Belarus or any other less developed country. I'm not looking for a specific location, more just an interesting place where I can earn just enough to live on - "subsistance" money rather than "salary" in my case (ie no experience/Celta) ??

Also why don't Hungarians clink beer glasses!! Is it too uncultured for European civilisation??!!

Thanks,

Matthew

CharlesTESOL · Joined: 06 Jul 2004 Posts: 81 Location: Barcelona, Spain

This is just a thought, but if you don't want to get certified and are more interested in the experience than anything else, perhaps there are volunteer opportunities that would provide you with a stipend and housing. I believe that VSO http://www.vso.org.uk/ requires certification for their English teaching volunteers, but maybe you have some other training or skills they could use in another volunteer area. Check with organizations in NZ and AUS, too. There are some organizations that will want to charge you for the privilege of volunteering, however, so make sure you are dealing with a reputable outfit. Good luck,

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

Hungarians don't clink their beer glasses because of back in around 1848 they were being slaughtered by the Austrians who would clink their glasses in celebration at (roughly) the same time. Hungarians still clink other glasses, like wine.
Ki.

BloodyIrish · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 39

the clinking glasses nonsense ended a few years ago. a hungraain friend of mine explained that it stopped in 1998, i dont know why, but that was the set date. and i know hungarians DO clink glasses, all the time. its still central europe though...

have you thought about goin through a placement program. theres one called central teaching program, or central european teaching program or something, and they will find you a job with a school and accommodation and stuff. theres a fee, but you dont need a celta or that, your degree will be fine. its american, so most people placed through it dont have EU passports, and as far as i know theyll place any native speaker, wherever their from. think you can go to romania, hungary, poland or slovakia.