Job Discussion Forums

[rpunkboy]

I have three years of experience teaching English, a B.A. degree, and no TESOL certificate. And I am looking for work in Berlin or Frankfurt. Any ideas on where I should look for work in Berlin or Frankfurt? Also, should I get a TESOL certificate. For me, it seems like a waste of $$$ though.

Robby

[spiral78]

If you can legally work in the EU, and you have time time/money to get an on-site certification (if you're referring to GLOBAL TESOL, this one is substandard because it's largely off-site and usually includes no teaching practicuum), then there's work to be had.

[scot47]

Frankfurt an der Oder is cool. Avoid the other one (am Main) like the plague.

[Hod]

Frankfurt am Main is not so bad, especially in the summer. You've got the ebbelwei bars in Sachsenhausen and places around the river and the Taunus is great for walking, cycling and beers. In winter, get a TV.

What I liked about Frankfurt am Main was the central location. At the weekend, you can go anywhere in Germany with a Schoenes Wochenende (good weekend) ticket which lets up to 5 people travel anywhere in Germany for 33 euro. The catch is you can't get the speedy trains, but I went to Munich (6 hours), Berlin (6 hours) from Frankfurt on a wochenende ticket.

Saying all that, Berlin is way better - a really nice place to live (on a non-teaching salary). It's just a bit remote from the rest of Germany. Even the Ostsee is 3 hours away! The nearest place is Poland.

[smoofy]

I'd say Berlin is a lot more fun and hip than Frankfurt. That said, it'd probably be a lot easier to land a job in Frankfurt. But if you wanted to go with one of those TEFL-2-job programs, I'd go with Berlin.