Job Discussion Forums

[queenkp]

There seem to be a lot of people wanting information about teaching in Portugal. I've been teaching in Lisbon for nearly two years and it's fantastic. As an American, I interviewed in Spain, Italy, Germany, and Portugal and found that the money I was offered in Portugal was more than I was offered in the other nations (who claimed that though I had a CELTA, pass A and
years of experience they could only pay me 5 to 9 euros an hour). The cost of living is relatively low; rent is the biggest expense, and one would have to go out every night to spend 100 euros a week. The biggest problem for those wanting to work here is the lack of turnover. Many teachers have been here over five years, and many have made Lisbon their home; the transient air that one gets with the TEFL scene in Prague or Madrid just doesn't happen here. It is a matter of luck, and few people secure a job before arriving. There are enough schools to patch together a reasonable salary, though it is common to work with more than one or two schools. As with any European nation, don't expect paid airfare, and don't expect help finding a place to live (a major headache). As for working outside Lisbon, there are few schools with a presence in smaller towns (usually IH and British Council), and again there is little turnover - usually we in Lisbon hear about openings first. Best suggestion would be to arrive in October, pound the pavement at every school you see in the phone book, and see what happens. Portugal is a gorgeous country and if you want to make it work, you can, but don't expect it to be easy.

[aimee821]

When you say the pay is much better, could you offer a rough idea of it. Also, the best way is to (ofcourse) try and secure something first, then if it does not work out, then to actually go there, in October. I am new at this just finishing up my B.A. in English. therefore I am curious about the best protocol in appying for a position there. IS it ok to just show up and present them a CV (in person)? Will they typically see someone on the spot? Also what is preferred CELTA or TEFL cert.? Is knowledge of Portugese a requirement? I know basic Spanish. Sorry so many questions..your post was very helpful. I really am curious about the pay rate though.....Thank you! Aimee'

[kirby]

I currently have a friend teaching english in Lisbon and am thinking of joining him there. He has no cert but taught for 3 years in Prague. I hope to take the CELTA course at IH-Lisbon in November, but besides that have no experience. My question, and my friend doesn't know since he got there in March, how plausible is it to find a job for the January semester? I have a round trip ticket that I could take back home at the end of November if I feel my chances of getting work are low just in case.

[herman]

I've been thinking of of taking the CELTA at IH-Lisbon, too, but have kept postponing it for personal reasons. I would be happy to hear from your experience Kirby, if and after you take the CELTA there, or from anyone else who has taken it at IH-Lisbon already.

I have so many questions, too, since I really love Portugal and often pondered about going back there. Which schools in Lisbon are good to foreign teachers? Bad? How are the students compared to other countries you have taught? Are they enjoyable to teach? What do the institutes/schools usually expect from foreign teachers? Are Cambridge and IELTS prep courses common and in demand? I have many more questions but I guess I should stop here for now.

[queenkp]

CELTA at IH Lisbon has a great reputation, though one of the instructors has now moved back to London so I'm not sure who is in charge anymore. You can't go wrong with an IH course though, and they tend to take care of their own.

The British Council and IH pay the best in Lisbon, but only if you have the coveted EU passport. (Pay the best means usually over 20/hour.) Other schools pay from 7.50 to 15/hour. Private classes can fetch from 25-50/hour depending on what you're teaching. I'll reiterate what I said earlier about patching together a living; it's not easy, especially for Americans (my school, which hired Americans, closed this summer and I'm now in Slovenia). Don't expect to have a job before you arrive, but once you're there, it's you, your CV and being at the right place at the right time. Speakwell, Cial, and Escola Universal usually have hours but won't hire you before you arrive.

Good luck!

[ReneeClaire]

it is possible to be there for only a couple months and teach privately, like one-on-one and make some money to help with expenses? What is the best way to look into housing?

[peterinlisbon]

For private classes it's awful. I think generally there is not much market here.