Job Discussion Forums

[stephanie-cloud88]

I am a 21 year old Australian who aims to work in Europe teaching english, and eventually attaining a job for an NGO. I think I will love teaching, and i feel it is a great way to comfortably travel Europe and experience different cultures.

I am currently doing a tesol cert 4. I plan to get 3-6 months work experience in South Korea before I go to Europe (but only to save more money and gain experience- i am under the impression that you cant get hired in Europe without experience?)

I deally id like to work in Frankfurt Germany, however i wouldnt mind working in Poland as that is my heritage, and I would love to learn more about my family history...

In addition to my qualification in tesol I will also have a BA in Politics and government and International Relations..

q1) what is some general advise I should take in to consideration before going to Europe?

q2) What is the market like in Frankfurt for teachers?

q3) What is the best place in Poland to work taking in to consideration that i want to travel all around Europe so need to live in a city with major airports/train lines etc..and also travel to frankfurt..

q4) Do you think it necessary for me to work in Asia first to gain experience?

q5) how much money should I have saved before I go to Europe to travel and work?

[spiral78]

I think I will love teaching, and i feel it is a great way to comfortably travel Europe and experience different cultures.

Yes - when and if you can make enough money at it to afford 'comfortable' travel. Be aware that European wages are basically subsistence level. The norm is to make enough to enjoy the city and country where you live and work, but it's difficult to make enough to afford much travel in most cases. This is true at the newbie level - meaning a teacher with a BA and certification plus some experience.

I am currently doing a tesol cert 4. I plan to get 3-6 months work experience in South Korea before I go to Europe (but only to save more money and gain experience- i am under the impression that you cant get hired in Europe without experience?)

Not true. Newbies without experience can and do work all over Europe, right after certification. Further, experience gained in Asia, where the teaching contexts are VERY different, isn't usually viewed very highly be European employers. The students and their motivations and learning expectations are so different that work in Asia simply doesn't translate effectively in most cases.

I'm not sure what a tesol cert 4 is, but hopefully it's not online/distance, and it does include supervised teaching practice with actual students. This is simply what most newbies on the job market here have, and anything 'less' won't put you at the top of the potential employee list.

I deally id like to work in Frankfurt Germany, however i wouldnt mind working in Poland as that is my heritage, and I would love to learn more about my family history...

It's more difficult to get a work permit for Germany, as a non-EU member citizen. Poland may be easier, but I suggest you read the Poland forum regarding application for work visas, as the laws are continually changing. Basically, the problem is that UK nationals (and there are many well qualified and experienced UK teachers around) don't need work permits. Therefore, not many schools will take the time and trouble to hire a non-EU member citizen newbie teacher. If you can get citizenship in Poland (or already have it) that would simplify matters considerably.

In addition to my qualification in tesol I will also have a BA in Politics and government and International Relations..

Nice, but not really relevant. Won't put you ahead of other newbies - or behind them, either.

q1) what is some general advise I should take in to consideration before going to Europe?

That you are limited in terms of where you can find legal work. That if you are here on a tourist visa from Austrailia, you have just 90 days in the Schengen zone (google for a list of countries) before you have to LEAVE FOR 90 DAYS (border runs no longer work). This means you really need to target a city, and get a job lined up within about the first month after arrival.
That implies consideration of timing. Most job contracts in the region are Sept - June, so the peak hiring period is the very end of August through September. The best time to come, obviously.

q2) What is the market like in Frankfurt for teachers?

I don't know specifically, but the economy is a bit weak all over. Fewer jobs around in general than in the past.

q3) What is the best place in Poland to work taking in to consideration that i want to travel all around Europe so need to live in a city with major airports/train lines etc..and also travel to frankfurt..

I guess Krakov or Warsaw, but there is a very active Poland forum and you'll get expert advice there.

q4) Do you think it necessary for me to work in Asia first to gain experience?

No. But it might be useful for saving money before coming over here....

q5) how much money should I have saved before I go to Europe to travel and work?

Enough to support yourself for at least 2-3 months before a paycheck starts coming in. Depends on the country, and the job market, obviously....

It seems you already know that most jobs in Europe are not found from abroad. You really have to make the investment to be here first. The exceptions are usually schools in rural, out-of-the-way areas, or situations requiring specialist qualifications (which you don't have, according to your post).

Sorry to sound negative - it CAN work - it has for me and many others! But it's important to have realistic expectations, and also very important to know what legal options you have (or don't) when making plans. This can definitly help to maximise your chances of success here. It's not easy,but it is do-able in many cases.

Good luck