Job Discussion Forums

[fregona]

Hello all,

Yet another newbie looking for advice!

I am in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada and was recently laid off from a government job. I am a certified Ontario teacher with degrees in Education and History. Also a diploma in Multimedia Production (graphic, web & instructional design) How do they perceive Canadian teachers? I have been out of the classroom for 10 years but believe I can still be an effective teacher. Any advice would be appreciated. I would be looking to teach/work in the North, Treviso area. Oh yeah, I am 35 with an E.U. passport.

Thanks again
john

[spiral78]

Tough times over here too, man....not that you can't scrape up something, but don't expect it to be an easy life...

If you are aiming to teach English as a foreign language, you'll need some specific credentials. This would be a 100+ hour on-site course including supervised teaching practice. I know this sounds irrelevant for someone with serious education quals, but teaching language is a different ballgame, and almost every newbie in Europe has the above - if you don't, you will find yourself at a disadvantage in the job market.

With your teaching experience, you are qualified for international school positions, but openings are rare.

If you decide to make the step, bear in mind that you'll need to arrive with enough cash to float yourself for several months. Normal contracts are Sept/Oct thru June. Language schools pay monthly, at the end of the month worked. Landlords will want at least one month's rent as security and a month's rent up front - and you may have to pay an agent's fee as well.

Most adult Italians are living with their parents, or married to working partners - rental costs are killer in the Euro region in general!

[fregona]

thanks spiral for the reply.

yes, i heard the economy is bad there also. My cousins have been saying that it's tough on them, especially when they went to the Euro. I may just go for a visit in Sept/Oct and see how things are and stay with family. Thanks for the quick reply. Whereabout (city)are you teaching if I may ask?

ciao

[spiral78]

Maastricht, Nederlands. Have been around Euro region for 15 years - this is why I can give general info re: Spain - have many friends there, though I don't aspire to go there, as I have a better package here than I can get in Spain or Italy.

[beachtime]

Hi,
I am also a Canadian teacher - I have been well received when working in the ME and North Africa.
One thing you need to make sure of if you are looking at Europe - your Canadian passport doesn't automatically give you the right to work in Europe. Do you hold a passport from another country?

[spiral78]

The Canadian OP wrote in the first post that he/she does also have an EU passport. No legal difficulties.

[fregona]

hi, yes I do have an EU passport. I was able to get citizenship through my parents who did not attain Canadian citizenship after they arrived here in Canada.

[spiral78]

Very lucky for you!