Job Discussion Forums

sebastienupper · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Australia, Western

I've done a few searches and been unable to come up with any answers to this question:

What clothes do TEFL teachers wear? I know it depends where (what kind of school) and who you're going to teach, but can you give generals?

Clothes and I are poor acquaintances you see, and a suit, tie and $400 dress shoes seem over the top so--what else is there my friends?

rusmeister · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 867 Location: Russia

How about a clean shirt, tie, slacks, and maybe a sweater in cold weather?

JessInRussia · Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 36

I wear clean clothes and I wear a always shirt. The rest is usually up to the school. I've never worked somewhere that demands a tie.

Don't buy a jacket! But, if you do, buy a cape too, and a Superman t-shirt.

Good luck.

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

As a general rule,if you look tidy and decent and act accordingly, you should be o.k!Although I initially wore a jacket and tie when I taught at some state schools,I soon realised it was not necessary and even at quite prestige places such as an American investment bank they were quite happy when I wore smart, but casual clothes.I guess the old saying that if you look like crap you will feel like it too, applies everywhere!

kazachka · Joined: 19 Nov 2004 Posts: 220 Location: Moscow and Alaska

When I taught in- company (winter)I wore nice pants ( no jeans) and a decent shirt or blouse. When it was colder, I typically wore a turtleneck under a decent sweater. Hint- ladies dress in LAYERS. Wear a zip down sweater and smthg nice under it because although you will need it outside, you will be too hot INSIDE as the heat is usually cranked in most bldgs.
Warmer weather- a decent top, nice pants and or a skirt is fine. Jeans were actually ok in some places where I taught.

Yes, MY CLOTHES WERE ALL CLEAN!

The_Northerner · Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:15 am Post subject:

At my schools I have never gotten gruff for wearing jeans. (I have worn jeans all of my life and I can't switch to slacks, I just can't.)

As long as you look trimmed up and presentable, with no holes or massive stains, you'll be OK. Unless of course there's a strict dress code in order. I tend to augment my jeans-wearing with a collared shirt of course.

GF · Joined: 08 Jun 2003 Posts: 238 Location: Tallinn

I live and work in Tallinn too and the dress code here is not very strict, but when I lived in Moscow most of the places I worked for expected me to wear a suit.