Job Discussion Forums

[Dragonsheart]

Hi Everyone

I was just wondering what people`s opinions are as to job prospects for ESL teachers who are going to be looking for work in Europe in 2011??

Countries to look out for??

Countries to avoid?

I know its hard to predict these things, but from general feelings and trends they see, it would be interesting to hear what your thoughts are.

Thanks for your time

[spiral78]

As your post notes you are in Australia, shall we assume that you're interested in work prospects for teachers who are not EU member citizens?

If you are from the UK, the answers are a bit different (in a positive way), you see, in that all the Eurozone countries are legal options in that case.

For non-EU member citizens (North Americans, Australians, New Zealanders), legal job propsects are now and will continue to be limited to the 'new' EU member countries (Czech Rep, Poland, Slovakia, etc). Western Europe has effectively ended the under-the-table teaching and ever-popular border run options that worked before 2009. Google 'schengen zone' for the new 90 days in/90 days out rule.

So, challenge #1: find a country where you can work legally.

Challenge #2: qualifications are important here. You will need a CELTA or equivalent to compete on the newbie level job market.

Challenge #3: jobs aren't usually found from abroad in this region. Expect to pay for your flight over, a couple of months of expenses to get started. Be sure you come with enough savings to get you through the start-up period + July and August, when there is little/no work around.


Challenge # 4: time all this for maximum chances of success. Most contracts are Sept/Oct through June. There is a smaller hiring wave in January.

Challenge #5: if you have experience in Asia, keep in mind that this will probably not be very helpful to you in the eyes of European employers. Asian students and the teaching context there is well-known to be extremely different to those in Europe.

Overall, job propects in 2011 are likely to be the same as 2010, I think: tight market, but there is work around for teachers who come with realistic expectations, are in a country where they can get legal work permits, and who are willing to do the legwork.

Chris Westergard has posted a VERY useful thread on 'getting your first job' in this region. It's in the Czech Rep forum, and I strongly suggest that reading through it will give you a good picture of how to succeed in this region.

[Dragonsheart]

Thanks Spiral78!

Wonderful informative post as always.

I do have an EU Passport - hence the post. But i just wanted an overall feel for the market as my experience is very limited and am starting pretty much as a newbie!

Thanks again

[spiral78]

I can expand just a bit, then....

Keep in mind that the first year is always the toughest in this region. Because there are lots of teachers to go around in most places, getting the 'better' jobs (fewer split shifts, better pay, etc) means having a local reputation and contacts - and hopefully language skills!

I guess that if you come over at the right time (late August/September, roughly), pick a city, and do the footwork, you're likely to find something. Then, as you work through year 1, keep your eyes and ears open for more opportunities.

Further, I don't reckon things will change dramatically anytime soon. Europe's never going to be like some Asian countries are today - recruting from abroad, paying for flights, ets. It's just not necessary here.

Oh, one more tidbit in light of your interest in Portugal - I had dinner with a Portugese friend last week who says the economy there is really in the toilet and he expects it to dip still further over the next year or so. He's a business owner, so has some personal stake in this and tries to follow it closely. So, Portugal still might not be your best bet for 2011.

Good luck!

[scot47]

We are going through an economic crisis at least as bad as 1929-1931. Do not expect too much in terms of recovery any time soon !

[the_otter]

[Teacher in Rome]