Job Discussion Forums

tcelina · Joined: 28 Apr 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Cambridge, UK

Hi! I have a masters from Cambridge University in the UK, I am American but did my undergrad work in Norway and speak Norwegian fluently. I'm not looking for TEFL work really so much as just teaching at the high school level in Norway, either English or another subject where I am qualified. I know that a lot of high schools offer classes like Geography in English, and thats what I think I would like to do.

Do you think I should get a TEFL certification for this kind of work? Does anyone know what I need to do to get regular teaching jobs in Norway? I tried to email a few schools but haven't gotten a response. I wouldn't mind taking a temporary position, but I do need a visa. I have a Norwegian partner, and we could get married so I could have a visa, but I would rather get one through work.

I have time now before the start of the next school year to take some kind of ESL training course, but would rather not shell out the cash if it's not going to help me get work.

Any suggestions would be great!! Thanks!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I would say that TEFL certification is not the route to go. You need to find put about certification as a teacher in the Norwegian school system.

Good luck !

poro · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 274

Check the Norwegian online jobs database, if you haven't done so already, Tcelina.

I've used it myself, and it seems to be pretty good.

tcelina · Joined: 28 Apr 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Cambridge, UK

Hi! Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I think getting Norwegian certification is the way to go, but I don't know how to go about that, and have had trouble getting in touch with schools for advice. I have looked at job ads of course on line (and for anyone who doesn't know, you should try www.finn.no which is used nation-wide, or look at the web sites for the individual counties in which you would like to work), but they aren't much help.

What I need is a guide book: "How to turn a useless degree from a top unversity into a well paid job in 6 months or less!" Preferably with a money back guarantee! Very Happy

Maybe authoring that book is where I'll make my millions...

poro · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 274

tcelina · Joined: 28 Apr 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Cambridge, UK

Yes. But there is a REASON anyone can get work in Lapland. It's not just the weather that's bad, it's the scary mountain people who choose to live in isolation in the arctic tundra... Confused

Amazing how hard it is to get any information, I've written to three high schools who are hiring, a university for teachers, the government ministry for education, and NORUT which specializes in foreigners looking to have their qualifications verified. No one seems to know anything, or at least they don't want to tell me about it.

Their loss, I'll just end up marrying my boyfriend and living on welfare... ha ha ha ha ha <- that's my evil-dictator laugh. Wink

poro · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 274

Trojan Horse · Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 61 Location: Europe

I think you can do a PGCE type graduate course to qualify as a secondary school teacher. I have seen them advertised on Norwegian university sites. It would mean a further year of study but at the end of it, you would have a Norwegian certificate and be within the Norwegian educational system. It only makes sense though if you are considering staying long-term in Norway.

Good luck

Cokke · Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Canada

Norway would be ideal, if you can make it without getting married, let me know how, as a Canadian it looks impossible unless you A) Get married, B) Knock someone up. or C) have a degree related to the oil industry.

One thng I've learned in my research is that if you were to find a job...essentially doing anything, and can stay with it for 3 years (legally of course, with a visa) then you can apply for a settlement permit that will allow you to move around...so would Lapland be that bad for 3 years? Tromso is supposidly the north's Paris...and I mean, it wouldn't be as isolated as Finnmark.

I have a good friend from Sortland, the main city on langoye (sp?...long island). I visited him, and it seemed a lot like Canada....but less cold.

Good luck!

poro · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 274

Troms� isn't so cold, and seems to be well-protected by the Gulf Stream. If I remember correctly, they've never had a temperature lower than -18, which is pretty good going for 69 north. I'm at 64 north, and our winters are much colder.