Job Discussion Forums

[SwimminThruAsia]

Dear All,

I had a rather interesting conversation over dinner tonight.
We had a cousin of mine from Sweden visiting, who is by all accounts a very well connected man in his home country. When I was discussing my current plight--working as an Aide at a school for little money, paying out the rear for Grad School so I can become certified with a Masters in SPED/Social Studies, and the certainty that I will have massive debt to contend with when I am done in a few years--he shrugged and said "Come to Sweden." Here is where it gets interesting.

He claims to have a friend who runs an English language high school in Stockholm. He assured me that he could arrange for me to work there, and that with his help it would be "no problem" to obtain all the necessary paperwork to be there. He even said I may be able to obtain my masters in Sweden for far less than I could here. (Not the exact same course, but something similar.) He showed me the website of the school, and it certainly seemed reputable. However, I just can't shake the feeling that this is too good to possibly be true.

What say you, board?

[spiral78]

If, in fact, this guy has the connections and can do what he's implying, I'd be on the next flight over. I think it's highly unlikely to be true, though... But I'd be very interested to hear how it really works out, in case you decide to pursue it.

[sparks]

I'd say it's quite possible. His friend probably just is director or owner or whatever of an international highschool of some sort. Sometimes these highschools require teacher certification from America, England, Canada or wherever but if you are pursuing a master's in SPED ed. I assume you already have that. Sometimes they don't require certification and just want to see that you have a degree in education. In Warsaw there are lots of international schools which pay well, some better than others of course. I assume that Stockholm has a number of such schools as well. It can be difficult to land a position at these schools but I guess that's where you cousin comes in.

I would definitely go for it assuming that you have an education degree. There are probably a lot of naysayers on here, but from my experience it is quite possible to land a job at an international school earning much better money than you would as a newbie teacher in the U.S.

[spiral78]

Yes, on second thought, I'd agree entirely with Sparks. The openings are rare but real. It's difficult to land such plum positions without local connections - which you seem to have.

[Shaman]

I was teaching at a middle school in Sweden (just north of Stockholm) last year and may have heard of the school. It may even be connected to the one I worked at. I keep in touch with former colleagues back in Sverige who may be able to give a "yea' or a "nay". Feel free to pm me.

Shaman

[SwimminThruAsia]

Just to clarify-

I do NOT have a masters yet.
All I have is:
-a bachelors in Psychology from Univ. New Hampshire (a decent American school),
a TEFL "degree" (4 week course)
-1 year in Prague teaching adults,
-1 year in Korea teaching kids
-1 year substitute teaching
-Right now I am finishing up a year working in a "Resource Room," which is essentially a study hall for kids with special education needs. I also modify their tests and homework as needed.
-I have 12 credits TOWARDS my masters in Special Ed and Social Studies (Dual degree)

I highly doubt I am qualified enough to work in Sweden. However, my cousin assured me this "shouldn't be a problem."
Either way, I figure I'll send a resume and cover letter to his friend, and just be completely honest. The worst that can happen is she says no.

Swimmer

[spiral78]

Send them post haste! And, I'd be very interested to hear if anything works out. Hope you'll get back to the forum with the news, when/if there is any.

[GF]

I hope one of your main reasons for going to Sweden is not to 'make big money to pay off your massive debt.' Teachers there don't get such great salaries and the tax rate in Sweden is legendary. The cost of living there is also quite high ($8 a gallon for gas, very expensive alcohol and nightlife, and a VAT of, I believe, 25%, etc.). I have the chance to teach there also but I am staying in Estonia because I will have more disposable income here even though my salary is smaller.

[misteradventure]

MA, CELTA, talar svenska- Jag �r en beg�vad pojke!

ONly lack that vaunted EU national passport...

It's not the money- I'd love to get back to Sweden but dread another uni degree.

Please rescue me from contemplating the Middle East!

[matador]

I have been offered a teaching job in Sweden for 34,000.00 SEK per month. Is this enough to support my wife and two young children?

[roywebcafe]

I also would like to work in Sweden to date i have

Batchelors not related unfortunalty
TEFL certificate
60 credits towards a PGCE in ESOL
6 months teaching kids in China
1 year mixed ages in Taiwan
1 year kids Thailand
6 months adults UK

Could this be enough or would i need an MA or CELTA? Or More?

[spiral78]

Local Contacts.

[theincredibleegg]

[Theriel]

Can't speak for the contacts&work situation, but at least the MA-degree for next to nil is probably true. I am doing my MA in phonetics in Finland, and University is free here. As far as I know it's similar also in Sweden and Norway. If you're looking for a foot in the door and don't own an EU passport, doing your MA is an option, and you can teach on the side up to 25 hours a week. I'm not really sure you want to teach more than that anyway.
I should graduate soon, and if you graduate here with a Finnish degree you automatically get a work permit if you find a place to hire you.

Any further questions feel free to ask

Don