Teach English Abroad

[bovril]

Just had a quick look round on the interweb this morning at a few different schools in france. Seems like all the positions do require either a teaching degree or a good level french.

 

May also consider an easier country for a year or so if only to get some solid work experience in. Any suggestions? What country in the EU would possibly be a good starting point?

 

There's loads of work in Italy. It's not usually brilliantly paid but it's fun and a good place to cut your teeth. I taught English for a couple of years in Palermo and enjoyed every minute.

[Stadt]

This is a daft question but do you need to speak the language of the country you are teaching in?

[Captain...]

Just had a quick look round on the interweb this morning at a few different schools in france. Seems like all the positions do require either a teaching degree or a good level french.

 

May also consider an easier country for a year or so if only to get some solid work experience in. Any suggestions? What country in the EU would possibly be a good starting point?

 

Loads of work in Spain, and the girls are hotter than the French girls, this is again a big reason to do the course abroad it will be much easier to find work if you are already over there and doing the course.

 

http://www.goabroad.com/tefl-courses/search/france/tefl-abroad-1 a few options for France.

[Captain...]

This is a daft question but do you need to speak the language of the country you are teaching in?

 

Nah, being a native English speaker is all that they want, it can be considered a bonus that you can't speak a word of the students language, it means they have to talk to you in English and you don't use easy shortcuts, classes are supposed to be fully immersive and if they know you can understand them they will ask you questions in their language.

[bovril]

This is a daft question but do you need to speak the language of the country you are teaching in?

 

It helps if you're teaching kids to know "I need a piss" in the local lingo, otherwise you could end up with a messy floor.

[Stadt]

Nah, being a native English speaker is all that they want, it can be considered a bonus that you can't speak a word of the students language, it means they have to talk to you in English and you don't use easy shortcuts, classes are supposed to be fully immersive and if they know you can understand them they will ask you questions in their language.

Ah right, good to know

[Guest]

Where would you recommend FIF, lots of people and global industry (business classes are where the money is), but not a lot of native English speakers?

 

For a young man I'd recommend a big city. Everywhere they are crying out for native English speakers (of course the pay is terrible and the hours are not nice). If hes got a degree of any kind and then backs that up with a TEFL/TESOL, he'll get a job. There are so many different types of jobs over here he should think through what he's looking for. If he's a Yank then Wall Street Institute will take him almost anywhere - again I repeat that they use you up and pay you little but you'll get hours and experience whilst you look for something more social - The academies (as in Ed Nat) could take him on but he needs to contact them individually and listen to what they offer. On top of that there are always private schools and places like the GRETA who need native speakers for hours but not usually enough to fill any type of contract. Paris is great but living costs are a killer - other cities like Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Strasbourg etc... are going to have the hours and multiple opportunities whilst giving you a social and night life.  

 

Just had a quick look round on the interweb this morning at a few different schools in france. Seems like all the positions do require either a teaching degree or a good level french.

 

May also consider an easier country for a year or so if only to get some solid work experience in. Any suggestions? What country in the EU would possibly be a good starting point?

 

What type of schools were you looking at? I know of many places who should be taking masters level teachers and are taking any native speaker they can get their hands on. Of course if you can't speak any French you're going to get f***ed totally with the administration, why choose France if you don't know a word?

 

This is a daft question but do you need to speak the language of the country you are teaching in?

 

No, not to teach, nor to live/survive; but as with any country you need to be able to complete administration paperwork for work and living. France more than most countries loves its paperwork - it's a bureaucrat's heaven.

 

If you've loads of money and don't need a job you don't need French. If you want to work or don't have any money you need at least a little to get by.

[bovril]

It's a bit crap living in a country and not learning the language though.

[Guest]

It's a bit crap living in a country and not learning the language though.

 

Once you're there its almost impossible not to learn it but that wasn't the question asked.

[bovril]

Once you're there its almost impossible not to learn it.

 

I've met plenty a Brit who has lived abroad for years and never learned the lingo.

[Guest]

I looked at a few that Oxford Seminars is associated with, including the Wall Street Institute. One or two were geared towards teaching young children.

 

France appeals to me on a number of levels. I've always quite liked the french. Good food, wine, architecture and art. They have quality football and rugby and the weather is pleasant in most regions. And their sense of humour is quite good too. Culturally, for all the differences between England and France, there are quite a few similarities.

 

I know that it wouldn't be as lucrative a place as Asia or certain ME countries. But any country has its positive and negatives. I tend to think I'd rather live in france on less money, than live in Asia or the Middle East and earn more. Long term at any rate.  I guess my big question is: Is there much demand for the bottom rung ESL teachers in france - no degree, not proficient in French, merely TESOL certified? And is it possible to earn enough to live off (modest apartment, no car, cheap entertainment/leisure)?

 

If that's not possible in France, I suppose Italy or Spain aren't such a bad Plan B.

[Guest]

Had a look at the French tax system, it seems to follow the same muddled format as the American system, which is full of loop-holes and trap doors.

 

There's a lot to complain about in Britain, but the PAYE set up is probably not one of them.

[Guest]

http://www.oxfordseminars.com/esl-country-information/

 

Curious to see how this compares to everyone's experience.

[Captain...]

Fairly accurate for Spain, although I would say the ability to save is optimistic I spent everything I earned.the other thing to be wary of is that most academies run sept to June and don't offer classes over the summer but may do intensive summer schools/camps, these pay better but you are required to work longer hours and if it is a camp weekends and evenings so your summer quickly disappears. Again it all depends on your motivation.

[bovril]

As with any field it depends on where you work and how good you are at saving. Also if you see it as a career there's no reason you can't climb the ladder and end up a DoS / head of department in a few years and earn very good money.

[Guest]

I've met plenty a Brit who has lived abroad for years and never learned the lingo.

 

I bet they were all old and not working in France. 

[bovril]

I bet they were all old.

 

Mostly, and complained about immigrants in the UK not speaking English.

[Guest]

As with any field it depends on where you work and how good you are at saving. Also if you see it as a career there's no reason you can't climb the ladder and end up a DoS / head of department in a few years and earn very good money.

 

In Ed Nat over here a "head" is all about ego. The increase in salary is very little and the increase in workload is a lot.

 

You increase salary through experoence and qualifications.

Mostly, and complained about immigrants in the UK not speaking English.

 

[Guest]

Teach Leicester to English language students!     

 

http://premierskillsenglish.britishcouncil.org/clubs/leicester-city#learn

 

 

Anyone seen this before?

[fuchsntf]

Bovril, go east young man go east..Places like Estonia or neighbours would be interesting.

If your adventurous try the South or middle America.Business are always looking for people to teach their workers

English.Then there is the orient, Japan and China.

PLUS if you dont mind a short/long hippy style life teach English where others take their hols.

[Guest]

I'd welcome any input possible on Prague VS Bilbao for teaching English/general living and working in.

 

Prague

-Positives

There seems to be a lot of good schools to get certified in (TEFL Worldwide is top of my list at the moment)

Cost of living is cheap

Apart from this year, summer weather is typically bearable, while winter is considerably better than the Minnesota/Wisconsin winters i'm used to

Lots of English language call centres - good back up option if the teaching doesn't take off

Czechs tend to be negative and pessimistic, ...which appeals to my British upbringing

World-Class public transport

 

-Negatives

Lower cost of living = lower income = harder to save up and move somewhere more expensive

Winter is still cold

Summer might still get really hot...and no A/C

Starting point for a lot of TEFL students, so it could be a crowded market

Czech Rep. is cool but it personally doesn't have the same appeal as W. Europe

 

 

Bilbao

-Positives

Good football culture

It's near the ocean

Not as cheap as Prague, but cheaper than many other locations in Spain

Large expat community

Good rate of pay

Mild winters

 

-Negatives

Humidity

Would require schooling somewhere else, then relocating to Bilbao

Higher cost of living means I need to arrive with a larger stash of cash to hold me over until established

Lack of back up jobs in case teaching doesn't take off