Job Discussion Forums

[newtoefl2011]

Hi guys,

My girlfriend and I have recently completed a TEFL course and are hoping to head to mainland Europe to teach. We initially thought we'd try our luck in Italy, but have decided that, as new teachers, we're probably unlikely to find jobs with reputable organisations there.

We've now set our sights on eastern Europe, although, we're thinking the Czech Republic probably has a glut of EFL teachers. With this in mind we are hoping to try Hungary or Slovakia, where we hope we'll have more luck finding employment. Does anyone know of any reputable schools or organisations in either of these countries? Any additional information from anyone teaching or having taught in either Hungary or Slovakia would also be greatly appreciated!

[naturegirl321]

Sharing Our Language, a UK NGO has placements there. You're on local salaries, so you won't make a lot, but many teachers stay in the programme for years.

Check the europe forums as well.

[Sashadroogie]

Come to Russia instead!

[MsDooLittle]

Good plan!

For newbies, you can find the usual suspects in Bratislava... International House, British Council, there will be more. If Kofola is floating around he can probably give you more info.

Google is your friend. Sometimes you can find ads for teachers in the English online newspaper - spectator.sme.sk.

Bratislava is a nice place to live - and so close to Vienna, Budapest and Prague its a great base to explore the region. And a good place to start teaching as there isn't so much competition with high demand.

MsD.

[newtoefl2011]

Thanks guys,

MsDoolittle, what about other cities in Slovakia? I've heard that English teachers are really in demand in Slovakia, but apart from Bratislava would you have any idea where to look?

[Kofola]

English is in high demand - over two thirds of new jobs ask for English, so it's something people invest in. There are schools in pretty much every town.

The only real network is Akademia vzdelavania and they have branches across Slovakia and are headquartered in Bratislava (Gorkeho). They should be looking for new teachers for Sept.

Many of the schools that have opened up recently are Callan-style - I'd be wary of those. Some schools only take self-employed teachers and don't provide accommodation. For those that offer full-time contracts plus accommodation, the fact that you are a couple would be seen as an advantage.

Towns that have advertised recently include: Trnava (this week - although I have a feeling not for a native speaker), Levice, Banska Bystrica and Poprad (and I think Nitra?). The four largest towns outside Bratislava are Kosice (2nd city, 240,000), Presov, Banska Bystrica, Zilina and Nitra (70,000).

www.profesia.sk has jobs advertised every week

I'd prob begin looking on that site and check out Akademia.

I'm currently based in Bratislava, but have taught all over the country. So, feel free to ask questions about specific towns.

Finally, as new teachers I recommend you check the support given by the school. Some are much better than others in this area. Also, you may want to be at a bigger school, so as you can learn off other more experienced teachers. Also some of the schools in smaller towns would probably find it difficult to guarantee work for two native teachers.

Hope it helps.

[General Disarray]

I wrote a bit on Hungary here;

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=89329

Slovakia/Hungary both good choices for Europe, both countries are on the edge of Western Europe but also close to the cheapness of Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia...Okay Bosnia may be a 12 hour journey away but it's the same price to get to Sarajevo than it is to Vienna which is a 3 hour journey...

Slovakia is in the Euro, but Hungary isn't and won't be for a long time, too corrupt. However I have found Bratislava (worked there for 5 weeks and will work there next year again) to be cheaper than Budapest.

Budapest I would say has a lot more jobs than Bratislava (the big little city) purely for the fact that it's a bigger city. IH in Budapest has a list of a good amount of language schools in Hungary and about 20 language schools in Budapest itself with all contact details . If you work hard for a week/two weeks in Budapest then you'll find you'll be turning down hours from the schools.

I prefer Budapest to Bratislava for various reasons. There seems to be a lot more going on in Budapest, sometimes I get the feeling that Bratislava is a bit of a ghost town. This means the horrible drunken stag parties stand out on a Thursday/Friday night (I apologise for my fellow countrymens behaviour)

Other cities in Hungary worth looking at if you don't like the big city life; Pecs (boarder of Croatia) Gyor, Szombathely (boarder of Austria), Szeged (boarder of Serbia) Veszpram.

Don't forget these countries are in the EU and do require a work permit, I'm guessing your English as you used the term mainland Europe?

I'm living back in England at the moment for the summer awaiting for the summer camps to start up and I can't wait to head back to Budapest.