Job Discussion Forums

cstevens · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 27

A quick background: I live in another country right now and am already teaching English through the Peace Corps. I have a language teachingdegree, a teaching certificate and experience teaching language both abroad and in the US.

I definitely want to move and find a new teaching job somewhere else in the world (preferably Europe). I am debating whether or not to leave this coming September, at the beginning of the school year or waiting till this coming January, probably in the middle of the school year.

There are pros and cons to both paths.

I know that it will be difficult to find a job in January. I guess what I am asking is HOW difficult will it be to find a job. Is it possible or should I count on it not happening?

Thanks for any advice! Smile

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

If you are a US citizen, your legal job prospects in Europe are limited to the 'new'EU member countries - you will not be eligible for legal work permits under most circumstances in Western Europe. I suggest you read the country-specific boards for more specific details on this.

In Central/Eastern Europe, typical contracts are Septamber - June. However, January is traditionally a time when there are some open contracts, and hiring does happen. This is because of two reasons - some contracted teachers don't return after the holidays, and some corporate customers start new contracts for language lessons at the start of the year.

cstevens · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 27

Is there a chance I could find a job via the internet from another country, or would it be a waste of time?

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

Most likely a waste of time. The general rule for Europe is that reputable employers don't hire from abroad - they want to see you standing in their offices, CV in hand, looking professional and reliable, before they'll give you a hearing. The exception is for those with specialist qualifications...but positions demanding those are rare.

This is why the start-up costs for Europe are so much higher than for Asia - you really have to take the financial plunge to come here before you can expect to find a job.

cstevens · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 27

Is this even true for websites such as tefl.com?

So, my best bet is to go to some newer EU countries (based on the fact that I don't have an EU work visa), show up to some of the schools and ask for a face to face interview?

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

European schools advertising on websites are often the ones teachers living in the region won't work for....if you get my drift.

Yes, your best bet is to go there and get a job asap - you have 90 days to file for visas, and you need a job contract to do that. Google 'Schengen zone' for more info regarding the 90 day limit...

But there is work in the region, and your chances should be quite decent.

cstevens · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 27

Awesome, that is really good advice.

So, my next question/worry would be, when I actually get to country, how do I find the "good" jobs?

I have a teaching certificate, ESL experience, TEFL experience, etc. Where, besides asking on the forums here, could I go to find some decent jobs.

Even right now I am living in a country where, except for some of my contacts, I would never where to find decent jobs.

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

The job market is mainly geared towards newbie teachers. The fact that you have some experience will put you at the top of the newbie salary range. Beyond that, you really have to move into different kinds of jobs to get much more money and benefits. Jobs like DOS, teacher trainer, etc take some local reputation and contacts to move into.

I expect you'll have to pay some dues at a regular teacher level before you land something 'good.'

cstevens · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 27

I guess what I really am wondering is how would I find the good teaching jobs (international schools, reputable organizations) from the not so good jobs (stuff that I might find on the internet).

I think I'm afraid of showing up in a country, staying in a hostel for a month, and not finding work because I'm not sure where to look.

That is probably a silly fear, but it is the first thing I think of when striking it out on my own in a new country.

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

A 'good' school in this region is one that agrees to sponsor your visa and support you through the process. Beware any schol that wants you to get your own business license. Good schools usually pay for your travel pass around the city to get to their clients, and should have at least a small library of resources for teaching. They can also hook you up with reputable rental agents, or give you other leads for decent housing.

Unless you're a certified teacher in your own country and can teach a core subject (math, science, etc) you're highly unlikely to find anything at an international school. Even with such quals, openings are pretty rare, and usually go to people with local reps and contacts.

Choose a country or two, and check the country-specific forums below on Dave's Job Discussion forum.

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

Sorry, I see you do have some certification that would probably qualify you for int'l school positions. As I said, they are pretty rare, but you might google the international schools in the countries you choose to focus on and send them your CV.

You're right - it does usually take local contacts to find the 'better' positions in any new country. However, you might get lucky....

in any case, there are tons of relatively reputable private language schools in the Central/Eastern European region, and if you don't land something better, you can always fall back on one of these for your first year, while you build contacts.

I think you'll be fine, assuming that you've got the funds to get started.

cstevens · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 27

This sounds like really good advice. I think I'll check a few countries' forums and maybe ask around there.

Thanks spiral for being patient with a newbie Smile

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

With a teaching degree try mainstream education rather than the ESL/language school route. Pays better, experience may be transferable for pension/pay scale purposes in the future and will show better on your resume. Pardon the brutal honesty, but future employers will ask you why you left 'real teaching' to do esl in a commercial language school. Search the International Schools, your local State Teachers' Organizations and job search sites such as Education Canada Network http://www.educationcanada.com/
and its American equivalent http://www.educationamerica.net/browse.phtml?a=inp
and ASCD http://www.smartbrief.com/news/ascd
for overseas teaching jobs for trained certificated teachers.
You may also try the retired teachers associations in your state since they often advertise overseas positions...not limited to retirees.
Starting points.

cstevens · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 27

For the life of me I can't find any international jobs on those websites. Am I missing something?

It seems like they are only US or Canadian job searches.

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

The web sites have been redesigned since I last used them but the jobs are there. Try this link. Perhaps more exotic than hoped for.

http://www.educationcanada.com/international.phtml

Also if you are into administration try ASCD for some perk international jobs.

If you are a certified teacher exhaust your professional contacts such as Faculty of Education, Department of Education, Teacher Union/Association. The esl boards are very limited in scope although the geography varies.