Job Discussion Forums

Murasaki · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Europe

Hello all,

Can anyone give me a bit of info on teaching and living conditions in Poland, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine?

Am looking for ESL/EFL teaching jobs starting in January (should complete TEFL certificate course in December), and I heard that those are the places to go for loads of jobs.

Thank you!

Mura

nomadder · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 11:55 pm Post subject:

I've only visited Poland, Romania and Bulgaria but found them all interesting. I think there are jobs in Europe in January though October is the best time. If you have an EU passport you may find something on www.tefl.com for Poland. The others are harder to find. Check the forums here.

Murasaki · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Europe

Thank you for your message. Unfortunately, i don't have an EU passport, but have been told it's possible to find teaching jobs in E. Europe and Europe in general where schools are willing to help you get work visa.

Am quite careful now, though, after my experience with a school in Taormina, Sicily.

Murasaki

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

In western European countries where there is strong competition for teaching jobs from well-qualified UK citizens, it's difficult to impossible for non-EU member citizens to get work permits, regardless of whether a school wants to sponsor that teacher or not. For example, in the Netherlands, schools cannot sponsor you regardless if you are not in possession of an EU citizenship. Other countries are more or less difficult, but the general rule is that it's tough to impossible.
In central/eastern Europe, there are still opportunities for schools to sponsor visas for teachers from outside the EU, though EU members are beginning to be preferred by the laws. You should be ok in the countries you have mentioned, though in some cases the school year begins in September, not October, as the previous poster states.
January's ok, though, as there are always those few teachers who don't actually return from their holiday visits home.

Murasaki · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Europe

Thank you for your information. I feel less discouraged, and am sure will find someone willing to hire and help me with visa documents.

Murasaki

peder · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 45

Murasaki,
Could you elaborate a bit about your experience in italy with out an EU passport? Just curious.
Thanks,
Peder