Job Discussion Forums

[Glenlivet]

Hi Guys. My wife and I are just coming to the end of three years teaching in Poland and are looking for a new country, preferably with better food and weather! We've traveled extensively in Italy and Spain so these two countries are our preferred destination. We specialise in Business English as we both have business backgrounds, back in the days when we had proper jobs. We've sent emails with C.V.s etc to a few schools with mixed results (I know, it's a bit early for 2009/10 recruitment but we'd like a destination when we leave Poland at the end of June). We had some interest from Anderson House in Bergamo, anyone got info on this school? We prefer to live and work in smaller cities, hence Rome, Milan etc. really non starters. Anyone got any good tips on where to try?

[Teacher in Rome]

As SueH pointed out on the thread below this one, summer is not a good time to look for work in Italy. Any training projects that are still continuing at this time are winding down for the summer break, and people only really start back up again mid-Sept onwards.

Two other things to bear in mind: work only starts when clients etc are ready. This means that starting dates in the corporate sector often get pushed back, which in turn means that training providers are unlikely to look ahead in June for teachers in September. With the Italian trait of leaving everything to the last possible minute, it means that September is the best time (and safest time) to look for work.

Having said that, it's good to start sending out your CVs now to at least let people know of your interest. Have a look on tefl.com as well to narrow down your choice of location and school. Although living in a small town or city is more liveable than a big city, you'll find most work in places like Milan and the satellite towns around it.

[Glenlivet]

Thanks for this. I'm going back to the UK at Easter to buy a van for when we move, we've accumulated quite a bit of stuff in the last three years. Wandering around snail like for 3 months doesn't really appeal but as you point out, we may not have much option

[Teacher in Rome]

Excellent idea! A camper van is even more practical - you'll save a huge amount on accommodation, get to visit lots of places which might tick the right boxes for you, plus you'd get to meet lots of holidaying Italians also in their campers. Who knows what contacts you might make... Camper vans are a lot cheaper in the UK than in Italy, and there are some great holiday spots that allow the vans to park / hitch / moor (whatever it is they do!) as friends with campers have told me.

[Glenlivet]

Unfortunately a camper isn't really an option as we have too much stuff - furniture, fridge freezer etc. although the plan would be to convert the van to a semi camper after the move. We spent over a month touring Italy last year with car and tent and pretty much ruled out the South of Italy as a work destination, strange people the Southern Italians, although Sicily was OK.

I would guess that if we can't get fixed up with a job before the end of June we will probably head for Spain, although the economic situation may not be conducive to business teachers.

[Jetgirly]

I taught in Torino in 05-06 and my school couldn't find enough teachers to handle the demand. However, it was one of the big chain schools so wages weren't great and methodology was prescribed. I haven't been back to Italy since then and I don't know how much demand has fallen.

[Glenlivet]

Thanks Jetgirly. Same problem in most of the places I've worked, mad scramble in September /October for jobs/teachers. We'll see what happens.