Central & Eastern Europe
It is easy to find jobs in most countries in the region. Teachers with a recognized TEFL certificate can arrange jobs in advance; other teachers usually have to travel to the target country to arrange work.
The best working/living conditions are in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, but there are some good jobs elsewhere. Most jobs offer short working hours (25 per week) and several weeks of paid vacation. Employers normally provide housing but most teachers have to pay their own airfare. Salaries allow a comfortable lifestyle but rarely permit savings.
In early 2005, many countries in this region joined the EU (European Union). This will eventually make it more difficult for people with non-EU passports to obtain work permits for these countries. However, in most cases, the new work-permit regulations will not be introduced for several years.
TEFL Job Tip: Central/Eastern Europe
Unlike most other areas of the world, there is a definite job cycle in Europe, and so you need to think carefully about when to train and when to look for work. About 75% of jobs start in September/October, and 20% in January. If you miss those times, it will be very difficult indeed to find a good job.
TEFL Job Tip: Central/Eastern Europe
If you finish your TEFL course in the spring, you could do a short term TEFL job somewhere else until the European recruitment season starts in September/October. You can often find work in the USA/Canada; or you could sign a short contract to teach in Mexico, the Mid East or Japan.Many of the best jobs are in schools belonging to UK-based groups or in colleges/high schools (usually through organizations such as the Peace Corps).
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