Job Discussion Forums

think_balance · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 67 Location: Japan

I'm a U.S. citizen and was fortunate enough to teach in France legally in Dijon a few years back.

I'm working on an M.A. in TESOL and I'm wondering how difficult it will be for someone with an M.A. TESOL and three years experience teaching ESL at the university level (as a hypothetical situation). Specifically, I would like to work at a university or international school, but would certainly consider a public school. I'd likely stay away from language schools like Berlitz.

Any input / advice?

Cheers.

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

It's tough, but not 100% impossible. Just 95% impossible, I'm afraid.

I'm a couple of steps ahead of you (MA TESL/TEFL from a very reputable British uni + 11 years experience now) and am teaching legally in the Netherlands at a university. It CAN happen that employers in the EU member states can argue successfully that there is no EU citizen who can match your qualifications. But that's the key. In my case, the real kicker was local contacts and the fact that I had taught at this university in the past. If you've already taught in Dijon, you may also be able to use your contacts and experience there to make an argument that no EU teacher can match your background....

pm me if you think of further info that I might be able to give you.

parrothead · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan

Spiral,

You are married to an EU citizen, correct? Not to discredit your fine qualifications and experience, but wouldn't you say that being married to an EU citizen greatly increases a North American's chances of finding legal work thesedays?

Parrothead

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

Actually, being married to an EU member citizen automatically gives you ONLY the right to work legally in the country your spouse is from. It's not a key to the entire region, unfortunately Sad

In my passport, I've a stamp saying 'spouse of EU member citizen,' but this doesn't make me eligible to work in all countries of the EU.

The thing that did work in my favor with the new Schengen rules was that I'm a legal permanent resident of the Czech Republic by marraige, and therefore I could apply for my work/living visa to the Netherlands from the CR, rather than being forced to go to the States to make the application.

parrothead · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan

Ay, I didn't know that. But I do now. And it is a good nugget of information.
Thanks!

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

Well, there is a step two in the process: becoming a citizen of the country your spouse is from. I understand that the Czech Rep, for example, is going to allow dual citizenships from 2010, meaning that I can apply for an actual Czech passport then without giving up my US one. I will do right away, if this becomes the case, and if I'm granted Czech citizenship, then I can work in all EU countries that accept Czechs, at least.

This still excludes Germany and Austria, I think (at least as teachers, though both countries are begging for engineers, for example). I'm not sure about Spain, France, and Italy. In any case, I'm happily and legally settled in a good uni job just now, so hopefully no big moves in my immediate future.