Job Discussion Forums

Reba · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 10 Location: U.S.

Hi, I have some experience (see below), a Liechtensteiner passport and can speak and write German (not fluent).

What are my chances of getting a job teaching English? At a university? In Switzerland, Austria or Northern Italy?

What about work as an editor? Other places I should consider to keep working in teaching, writing, assessment, sustainability education?

EXPERIENCE
- Taught about environment protection and also EFL at a Chinese university for 2 years as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer.
- 1.5 years experience assessing teacher training program her in U.S.
- M.S. in organizational and small group learning to promote collaborative solutions for environmental protection.
- Taught business writing at U.S. university.
- Worked as technical writer and editor for 4 years; recently proofread a dissertation for a friends' friend in Switzerland and have a good reference from it Smile

.
- Looking for TEFL course right now. Probably http://www.oxfordseminars.com/Pages/Teach/teach_about_oxford.php 60-hour course at University of Washington.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Wow, how'd you get that passport?

I think that you've overcome the main hurdle, which is being able to work legally. YOu could probably get a job easily, finding a good paying one will be more difficult and Europe isn't cheap

spiral78 might be able to help you out. PM her.

Did you learn Chinese while in the Peace corps?

I'd say you have heaps of experience, might just be missing the contacts and connections. ABout Oxford, don't do it. Courses should have at least 120 hour plus 6 hours of pratise teaching.

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

I agree that the Oxford cert won't enhance your CV.

Yes, you're qualified. The thing is that university and other 'good' job openings are pretty rare. Your most likely course (though you may catch a lucky break somewhere and skip a step or two in the process I'm going to describe) will likely be to target a country and come on over. Get an entry-level job and begin to build a local reputation and contacts. Ultimately be able to find a better job with some security, better pay, and benefits.

The economic crisis means that most universities I am in contact with (like most private businesses) are pulling back positions, not expanding them. We currently 'need' a few more qualified instructors, but we won't be getting them - we'll be spreading ourselves thinner for a while instead!

Not to say that there are no jobs around - there are - but the better ones are always thin on the ground, and thinner these days than usual!

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

I'm not so sure that a Liechtenstein passport will help very much, since it is not an EU member, and shows no interest in being one. I don't think it will give you free access to other EU countries. I may be wrong.

Sorry to sound so negative.

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

True. I forgot that Licht. isn't a member. Probably you'll need to check the Embassy websites for the countries you're targeting to find whether someone with this passport is allowed to apply for legal working documents.

ITTP · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 343 Location: Prague/Worldwide

This is a little bit off-topic but I felt the compelling need to write that I have walked across Liechtenstein.

Neville Smile

ITTP Prague
Jungmannova 32
Prague 1

hollysuel · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 225 Location: Connecticut, USA

ITTP · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 343 Location: Prague/Worldwide

Reba · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 10 Location: U.S.

Hi Neville,

Well, you have me beat! I have only biked across Liechtenstien.

I am getting some really helpful input from people and am now strongly considering the Boland School out of Brno, Czech. It sounds a bit more low-key, less expensive and it is geographically close to where I think I want to end up (central Europe - altough I am open to what the universe presents). Plus, aparently some Liechtenstien princes built castles in that area that I would like to check out.

Because my end goal is to work at a univerisity or other research institution in education and research, with a content focus on sustainability &/or writing, I do not feel strongly that I must do SIT, Cambridge, or Trinity as some suggest. These seem important for getting top English-teaching jobs. Does this sound like sound thinking?

Some people who took the Boland School training recommend it. I see you are in Prague. Heard anything about their reputation these days?

- Rebecca