TEFL Jobs in Europe

Despite the economic crisis, there is a steady recovery in the ESL jobs sector. Combine that with the fall of the euro against the pound and the dollar and you have good conditions for arriving to Europe and finding an English teaching job.

If your ideal location is the Mediterranean, southern France and Italy have an increasing demand for English teachers with no signs of reaching a plateau. The best plan of attack is to get TEFL Certified in the region/country where you'd like to live and stay on afterwards to look for work. September is the best time to look for ESL jobs in this part of the world so taking a July or August course is ideal in order to hit the ground running.

Visit our site at www.teflanguagehouse.com to discover all of our available services to get started on your dream of living abroad.

GG

Preparing for Your Move Abroad

So you feel ready to move abroad. Now what? Before you quit your job and show up in your desired country, consider a few essentials that will help you with a smooth move abroad.

1. Save, save and save some more. Consider this, even if you moved just to a different region of your home country, it would cost money would'nt it? So why think that moving to a different country would be any different? You will need money for many different start up costs when you arrive to the country of your choice. Save as much money as possible before you quit your day job.

2. Do the research on the country where you want to live. Find out the job market, cost of living, housing options and overall economic climate.

3. If you are a native or near native English speaker, take a TEFL Course in the country of your choice. That gives you time to take a close look at the region where you want to live and get job advice. Its also a great time to network.

4. Re vamp your CV before you arrive so you can hit the ground running once you arrive.

5. In almost all parts of the world, there's no longer a need to close your bank account in your home country. Anywhere you travel you should be able to access your money. Never carry a large wad of cash on you.

6. Try to pack light. Moving abroad means being flexible and you never know what opportunity may arise. In most parts of the world you can buy most things that you may need. And for those things you can't find....well, its time to adapt.

7. Lastly, travel with an open mind. If you are in search of a replica of home then you've misled yourself. The idea of travel is to find and appreciate the differences amongst us, amongst countries and cultures.

Why should Degreed Teachers take the TEFL Certificate Course?

I often get emails from experienced teachers, who have teaching degrees in the U.S. or England, who ask if its really necessary for them to become TEFL Certified.

While I think its very rational to assume that if one has a teaching degree and often substantial teaching experience then those qualifications/ experiences should be sufficient to find work as an ESL teacher, that is often not the case when planning to teach abroad.

So my response is yes, although unfair, you still need a TEFL Certificate and here's why;

1. Many countries do not recognize foreign degrees. Therefore, any degree acheived outside of the country of your choice is not considered even if it's relevant to the job you are applying for.

2. Even if you are an experienced teacher, teaching English to people who DON'T speak English provides challenges that even the most qualified teacher has not encountered before.

3. While the TESOL course is first and foremost designed to teach English speakers how to teach English in non-native English speaking countries, it is also a great opportunity to learn about the culture of the country. Subjects such as intergrating, cultural differences and challenges living abroad are discussed. Items relating to culture should not be ignored when considering living and working abroad and a good TEFL course provides this as well.

4. ESL is different from other subjects even if one has taught English to foreigners in their home country. In an English speaking country, students are of all nationalities as opposed to a country like France or Italy where almost all the students share the same first language. The methods are different.

Finally, in almost every course, I have at least one experienced teacher on the program and usually they are the ones who are the most excited about the new techniques and fresh ideas they've learned. There's always room to learn more. G.G.

What to Expect on a TEFL Course

Its hard to know what exactly one can expect on any given TEFL course around the world. Will there be a lot of work? Will I have time to have some fun on the weekends? How much homework will there be? Consider this, if you have never taught English and the goal is to start work as an ESL teacher right after the course then, yes, its safe to assume that there should be a reasonable amount of work.

So here's a run down of the minimum of what you can expect;

Grammar sessions
Phonology sessions
Teaching techniques- how to teach English to people who do not speak English
Teacher Practice- This is the cornerstone to any TESOL,TEFL or CELTA course. There must be a minimum of 6 hours of observed teaching practice. When trainees do not teach, they must observe each other.
At least one written report
At least two tests to measure mastery of Grammar and Phonology

Four weeks is a rather short period of time to turn non-teachers into teachers, therefore every minute of the course counts. My advice is to show up prepared to work and have an open, positive attitude. An open and positive attitude is the first prerequisite to living abroad as an English teacher well.

The Language House France in "Living France"

Teach Abroad as an English Language Assistant

Before commiting to a undetermined stay abroad, why not try a short term internship in the country of your choice first. Doing a rehearsal trip first is a logical strategy which allows the traveller to discover the country, decide where in the country is best for them to live as well discover the culture and establish potentially helpful contacts for the return trip. It's also a less intimidating project than to plan to move abroad, never to return.

Now more than ever, there are many programs world wide which offer such an opportunity but are very expensive. Don't fall for such promotions. While processing time, housing and necessary training are some of the items that carry a legitimate price tag for participation, spending thousands of dollars/euros per week is not justified.

Whatever your interests, do your internet research carefully before signing on with an outfit.

Teaching Business English Abroad

A great niche for English teachers is to teach Business English. If you've been avoiding this segment of the TEFL umbrella because you find it intimidating or perhaps boring, you are depriving yourself of a major source of income. I should also say that Business English doesnt have to be boring. Many people think that teaching business English involves charts, graphs and other tedious tools but it doesn't have to be that way.

In fact, as your clients already know their job and usually speak intermediate English, often they are looking for conversation lessons that might be found in a business setting. Also as many travel abroad for business they have questions that concern the local culture more than that of grammar.

Just calling an English lesson, "a business English lesson" entitles you to charge about 20% to 40% more per hour and many business English students are in search of one to one, private lessons. What could be better? To put yourself out on the business English market doesn't require much more than a TEFL Certificate. However, to get real results, meaning a string of clients, you will need some experience and usually a certificate of Teaching Business English.

G.G.

Teaching English in E.U. Countries

Teaching English in an E.U. Country without an E.U. Passport is challenging. However it can be done. As of late, I've been receiving a lot of emails on the subject so I thought I'd offer a few thoughts. First of all, for Australians and Canadians, its possible to work abroad in countries like France and Italy for up to one year on the "Working Holiday Visa" exchange program. This program doesn't exists for Americans and on a side note, I'd like to urge Americans to write to their state senators about implementing a similar program if indeed you'd like to have such an option available to you.

For Americans, there are a few options which, depending on the EU country in question, may vary.

1. You can show up, find an ESL job, then go back to the U.S. and take care of the paperwork. Not a popular option for folks as its expensive and risky. The average school won't want to get involved in arranging such paperwork in the first place. However, if you have a university degree and a TEFL certificate, you can apply at the university level, where they are prepared to do just that to get native English teachers.

2. You can apply to become an English Teaching Assistant before you leave home. This is a government offered program and the paperwork can be arranged.

3. Registering for internships is another way to arrange long term work contracts in Europe.

4. While this item has been disputed, if you register for language lessons in the country of your choice for 6 months or more, either with a private language school or university, you'll be issued a student visa which allows about 15 hours per week of work. Although if your interest is only to work and not take advantage of the language and cultural aspect, its possible that you may not be granted said visa. The idea is that your primary goal is to be a student abroad.

A more discreet piece of advice is that no matter what your nationality, in some European countries things may not come to you as quickly as you expect so its essential to have patience when attempting to live in this part of the world. Occasionally take your eye off the end goal and remember why you want to live in that particular country in the first place. Often doing that can lead you in the very direction where you want to go.

G.G.

ESL Job Search Part II

One thing that may not be so obvious when looking for work in countries like France, Spain and Italy (southern Europe in general)is that inorder to succeed, one must network. One must take an interest in the local people and talk to them. Through just simple talking and taking a sincere interest in others, you can actually talk your way into a job or help finding a job or housing.

So often, people come to this part of the world so focused on just "finding a job" that they don't even pay attention to the things that make them want to live in said country in the first place. They ignore the culture and the people while maintaining their attention solely on what they want out of the situation. And often these people fail miserably because in southern Europe, its hard to have much without help from the locals. When you have developed real friends and relationships, that alone takes you much farther than any other skill you may have.

My advice is, of course, during your TEFL course you should work dilligently to secue employment but along the way, take time to get to know others and even help out. Its all about the process, not necessarily the final result. GG

The ESL Job Search Part I

So you've completed your TEFL Certification, what's next? In the beginning of one of our TESOL courses, I often see that frightened look in the eyes of some TEFL trainees. "What's my next move when the course is completed? Where do I go?" The first move is NOT to wait until the program is finished to start looking for an ESL job. Even though a proper TEFL Certification course requires a lot of work, this is not the time to put things off.

1. Before taking the TESOL course have a recent CV/resume ready to show your course trainers for review/proofreading before sending it out.

2.If you are taking the certificate program in the country or region where you want to work, which is recommended, then ask your course provider for local contacts in the desired city or region.

3. When sending off the CV, be sure to note in the cover letter where you are currently and when exactly you'll be available for interviews. If you leave things too vague, you may not be contacted.

4. In the meantime, if you are not in the city where you want to work, plan the logistics for being there at the time period you specified on your cover letter. So, for example, if you are taking our TEFL course in Montpellier but you want to work in Aix en Provence, plan to spend 3-4 days there, lining up all interviews in that time frame you mentioned in the cover letter.

5. After about one week, its fine to do a follow-up phone call to confirm that your CV has been received but also ask if they are hiring presently, do they know of other companies that may be. It never hurts to ask questions to get a feel for the current market.

6. Its never too early to start thinking about housing. If you don't already have housing arranged, obviously do an internet search but know that in Europe, there are a lot of websites that are geared towards people just like yourself who are looking for a room. If you want a big city, I suggest sharing an apartment (with your own room) because once there, you'll have plenty of time to find you own place, one that's right for you, without being pressured into to taking something you really don't want.

A final thought, I know the idea of picking up roots and starting fresh in a new country can be scary...especially with limited income. However, my best advice would be to plan as if you will, without a doubt, find a job. So if you believe, without a doubt, that you'll find a job, plan accordingly. If you do this with conviction, the rest will follow. GG
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How to Plan a Gap Year Abroad

Planning a gap year abroad can be a daunting task at first glance. However, some simple steps can help you get started.

1. Consider your funds

The best way to estimate is to look at the year on a monthly interval. Before you even tackle that question, you must research the country or regions where you want to spend time to get an idea of the cost of living. Once that's established, consider what you want to do while traveling(ie. what will be your regular activities?) and how you want to live?... what type of housing? All hostels, service apartments, couch surfing or camping.

Obviously, if you want to spend a year abroad you should have access to as much money as possible but, outside of that have, a minimum of 3,000 in Asia (outside of Japan) and a minimum of 6,000 dollars in Europe and the west with the intention to work as you go.

1a. Will you need to work in order to sustain travel for the year?

If you don't have access to a significant amount of money then you should consider looking for short term work or work in exchange for food and housing during your travels. Its an excellent way to meet people and get an inside view to the culture of the country where you are.

2. What countries/region are you interested in spending time?

3. If its several locations, roughly layout how much time you think you'll spend in each location.

Yes, while this is definitely the time to be a free spirit, a rough itinerary is useful when planning. A loose plan and a bit of research can allow you to experience a great festival or conversely dodge an overcrowed, highly touristic event.

4. How would you like to spend your time in a given location?

Give some thought to this question. Are you interested in painting, volunteering, rock climbing or learning the local language? If you've decided this ahead of time you can begin to research relevant outfitters, schools or groups. Its also a great way to network with locals who may be able to direct you to a good deal on housing or car rental.

5. What potential jobs would you be prepared to perform?

Make a list of potential jobs you could perform and might enjoy. And of course Ill mention that if you speak English you should strongly consider work as an English teacher.

5a. Once you have job ideas, consider your CV/Resume...Do you have appropriate skills for the desired jobs?

Update your CV. If you'll be spending time in Europe, there is now a standard European CV. You can easily download it from the web.

Would you like help planning your Gap Year? Come and Join Us! GG

How to Choose a TEFL/TESOL Course?

When looking on the net for possible TESOL/TEFL or CELTA programs, its overwhelming to see all the course providers out there. How does one decide which program to take?

Here are some guidelines;

1. Forget about programs in your home country and online courses as you really should take a program located in the region where you would like to live. For further details as to why I stand by this rule visit our section called "TESOL/TEFL/ESL Advice".

2. While, there is no doubt that CELTA is the oldest certificate of its kind, now more than ever TESOL/TEFL and CELTA are recognized around the world as certification for teaching English Abroad. How you choose which certificate is simple. The program formats are very similar...both provide observed teacher practice, teaching techniques, grammar and phonology components for example. However, the major difference lies in job assistance or rather lack there of. If you wish to have solid job support, advice for setting up in the country of your choice and job contacts, you should choose a TEFL/TESOL certificate program because this is the added feature to most TEFL/TESOL programs that CELTA does not provide.

3. Look for a program that is externally moderated by a non profit organization. External moderation ensures that the course you are taking answers to a neutral entity and follows international guidelines laid out by the British Council.

4. Even though you should take a course in the region where you want to live, you should be looking for a company that has a knowledge base which extends past one country. Look for a course that can really provide international job support, not just say the words.

5. Lastly, contact potential course providers and ask them what they will do to help ensure your success in finding a job. That is the whole point of taking the course, correct? Don't pay to take a course with any organization that cant provide you with details on their job assistance. Answering,"Oh well, once you have our certifcate, it will be easy to find work." is not a sufficient response.


At the Language House we focus on the Mediterranean region which includes France, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Turkey and their neighboring countries. The qualities that make us stand out from the rest are:

- We provide small class sizes for personalized attention.
- We are the only program that focuses on one select region which guarantees expertise on living and teaching in Mediterranean countries as well as our clients get insider advice from our local staff.
- Our teaching practice takes place in practicing English language schools as well as mainstream educating bodies (Real Time Teaching).
- We offer the unique ability to aid in finding work and lodging not only in the Mediterranean but internationally.
- We don't just provide a TESOL program, we provide the "how to" information to set up and live abroad as an English teacher.

Come and Join Us!

GG

Why Choose Montpellier France?

Montpellier is one of those special places in France that is cosmopolitan but maintains French traditions. Here we get about 300 days of sunshine and its perfectly located so that one is only about 20 mins from the sea and about 30 mins from the mountains. As its a university town, the cost of living remains stable as well as there is always something going on in the center of town.

The locals here are friendly and open to meeting people who come from other places. Montpellier is located in the department of Languedoc Rousillion which is a wine producing region. While the wines of Languedoc cant compete with those of Bordeaux, Burgundy or the Cotes du Rhone, there are some good wines to be found as well as there is almost always an excuse to have a wine tasting activity.

Outdoor activities are very popular in this region because of the diversity within the region. So its easy to go biking, hiking, river or sea kayaking, rock climbing and the list continues.

I can't say that Montpellier is a great place to visit for just the day but its the perfect place to pass some time and soak up the local culture, food, wine and of course, the sun.

GG

An Age Limit for Teaching Abroad?

There are several questions that I get asked by many individuals over 50;

1. Can I be accepted to your course if I am of a certain age?
2. Will I be the oldest person on your course?
3. Will I be able to find work if I'm over a certain age?

I want to take the time to say to everyone that in the world of TESOL/TEFL there is NO age limit. The Language House has no age limits for accepting individuals and because of that every course always has a wide range of age groups. The oldest trainee we had was 78 and the last time I spoke with her, she was teaching English in Senegal. Lastly but most importantly, one can find work teaching English abroad no matter what age as long as said person is healthy, responsible and of course has a TEFL/TESOL Certificate.

TEFL Online vs TEFL Full Time

What is the difference between TEFL on-line courses and TEFL 4 week, onsite courses? This is the magic question I get asked over and over again.

While I realize, given the economic situation, that taking an on-line course is tempting because of its dramatically low price it should still be avoided. Why is it so low in the first place? You get what you pay for.

I can't speak for Asia, however in Europe, Turkey and North Africa, English institutions that hire look for a certificate that provided "Observed Teacher Practice" no exceptions. On-line courses can't do that. But there are other reasons as well. Below are the advantages of taking the TESOL/TEFL Certificate (full- time, 4 week course)in the country/region of your choice.



1. You can get acclimated gradually in the country/culture while you still have a support system (training centres usually provide services such as airport pickup, arrange housing during the course, and provide local orientation). Its easier then, to extend housing or even find cheaper housing during the month you're taking the course inorder to remain after the course is finished

2. You can be sure your certificate will be recognized by local employers and the training centre can give you invaluable contacts and advice regarding reputable local
employers as well as those who pay the best.

3. A standard certificate for Europe is 120 hours on-site, including at least 6 hours of supervised practice teaching on real students (not peer trainees). Online programs aren't well-accepted by reputable employers.

4. Your "teacher practice" will be composed of native/local students which will be representative of those you’ll be working with when you start your job.

5. Finally, jobs in Europe and North Africa aren't normally found from abroad. You really need to be here with a cell phone and C.V.s in person to get interviews. There are rarely if ever exceptions to this.

Ultimately, if you want to live abroad, you have to come on over. So why not get started by taking a TESOL course in the country/region of your choice and take advantage of that time to make the transition. I know that showing up to a foreign country can be daunting but if you want something you've never had, you have to do some things you've never done.

Come and Join Us!

Spend Three Months in the South of France

Take advantage of a great opportunity to spend time in the south of France as a Language Assistant. This volunteer programme is a great opportunity to experience French lifestyle and improve your linguistic skills at a low cost. You live with a host family and in exchange for your own room and meals, you share your language with the host family for around 15 hours per week.


This programme has a focus on cultural exchange, it is designed for flexible people wishing to experience the French culture in depth. Participating implies sharing daily life with a French family, learning their language and culture and adopting it as their own for a period of time. At the same time, the participant will share his/her own language and culture with the members of the local family.

Graduates of our TESOL/TEFL or Language Training programs get a 20% discount off the placement fee. Come and Join Us!

Our New Location in Antalya, Turkey

The Language House will be opening a new location in Antalya, Turkey begining in 2010. Located along the Turquoise Coast, also known as the Turkish Riviera, Antalya offers beautiful beaches, a culturally rich history with a modern lifestyle.

You can wander the oldest section of town which appears virtually untouched even though its centuries old. Turkey's blend of European culture combined with the east makes for a highly satisfying journey which must not be missed. Enjoy Turkish hospitality, unforgettable cuisine and a thriving nightlife that never ends.

Due to Antalya's thriving economy as well as being a tourist destination, there is a big demand for English teaching jobs here and in the rest of the southern region.
We provide you with all the tools you need for finding work as an English teacher. You can also enjoy a low cost of living here during and after the course with housing starting as low as 300 euros per month.

Our latest location will be located in the center of town just by the clock tower with great view overlooking the sea. Why put off living in paradise any longer? Start off the new year 2010 with us along the Turkish Riviera. Come and Join Us!

Why Choose Genoa, Italy

If you are considering the move to Italy, you should consider Genoa. Unlike many other locations, Genoa is a very relaxed, friendly city that offers a lot to the people who live there.

Genoa is one of those precious gems that not many people have heard of but is a wonderful place to spend time in. Located in the region of Liguria, Genoa is an excellent base to explore the region as well as discover authenic northern Italian cuisine and culture. Because Genoa is not a highly touristic target, you'll find yourself in a very relaxed setting to see the sights and appreciate its beauty. Located on the coast, along the Italian Riviera, you can enjoy great seafood and partake in seaside activities.

Genoa is a port city and its Antico Port is one of the oldest in Europe. It has recently been revitalized and because of this there is always a lot of activity with plenty of things to see and do. You can't miss the city's long seafront promenade that goes all the way to the small fishing town of Bocadosse. The Genovese are very friendly and down to earth. Because of this its easy to make new friends.

From Genoa, its only a short train ride to beautiful seaside towns such as Portofino, Santa Marguerita and Cinque Terre. And these are only the most famous as there are many more. For big city action its easy enough to spend the weekend in Milan for great clubbing as well as shopping.

In relationship to other Italian cities, Genoa enjoys a much lower cost of living. As more people discover Genoa and the region, there is a growing demand for English teachers. There are many English language schools in and around Genoa, making it easy to secure an English teaching post.

Genoa is a wonderful liveable city and at the least should not be missed for a visit.

Easing into Living Abroad

One way to ease into living abroad, or more specifically into the country of your choice is to take language lessons for about one month or longer. There are a lot of great benefits...obviously it allows you to learn the local language spoken but there's much more than just that.



1. It's a non stressful way to see if living in this particular country is right for you. Visiting for one week as a tourist will not give you the same impressions as being there for two months trying to get simple tasks done and getting to know the people.

2. Its a way to determine which region within that country is right for you. If you come from a rather large country, you may think a country like France or Italy couldnt possible be very diverse but then you'd be wrong. From region to region there are noticable differences and in spending a couple of months in the country of your choice you have the space and time to explore and decide the right place for you.

3. Its an opportunity to get to know the locals and exchange ideas. This is a time to see how much you really connect with the people who live in your target country. And if you can enjoy a life in their country...can you make friends?

4. Its a great opportunity to "case the place" as it were and scope out housing options and more importantly price ranges. You can also get advice from people living there how to find affordable and comfortable housing. Chatting on the net is often not enough. You have to see for yourself.

5. Its a great opportunity to check out the employment scene and research wages. While you're there, you can also make note of the cost of living...is it a comfortable fit?

Now more than ever the cost of language lessons has become more affordable. Visit us at www.languageholidayabroad.com to find the language program thats right for you.

Financing Your Trip Abroad

Despite the challenges that these economic times pose, it is still possible to find ways to finance that long term trip abroad. However it does require that you do some research. Goabroad has an excellent page on potential resources which is provided in the link that can help you.

You can also plan to work your way along your travels. One of the best ways to do this is to teach English. Whether you work for a private English Language school and/or work for yourself giving private lessons, having the skill of teaching will aid you every step of the way.