My name is Lisa Senecal, I took the CELTA with Calvin in June ‘08. I found a job at a summer camp in Sevilla for a couple of months and made just enough to live. Then, I found a job in Istanbul and started in October ‘08.

I am working for English Time. I don’t highly recommend it; it is more of a corporation than a school…but I have stayed because I really like the students. The money is pretty good, but the hours are very strange (am and pm…in a place where there is no siesta!!! How dare they?). A full time contract requires a minimum of 25 hours but you can work as many as you want…and you are paid by the hour.

I was very lucky to sign a contract in October when English Time was offering a bit more than they are now. But at the moment, a teacher can expect to start around 20 TL. I am making just a bit more…but there is also a housing allowance each month which does help (it is just under half of the cost of my rent, but if you share a place with friends it could totally cover the cost).

Istanbul is a vibrant city, and now that we are entering spring it is really coming alive!! The culture is enigmatic–so many contradictions and yet it makes so much sense. The food is fantastic! And like I said, Turkish students, although at times very lazy…are quite amazing. There is a serious respect and love for teaches. It does make me feel positive each day…I can honestly say I enjoy going to work each day!!

As far as prices and the cost of living in this city…teachers make more than enough to live comfortably. And again, since you decide how many hours you would like to work each week…most of it is up to you (at least at English Time).

And I hear that many other schools are looking for teachers…

I hope that this helps.

Good luck to all!!

Spain is experiencing a recession which now in its second quarter. Unemployment is now hovering around 14%. From my own experience and a friend’s, I don’t have encouraging news.

When I arrived last September I spent a month looking for a job in Seville and Jerez de la Frontera which is an hour and a half south of Seville by train, but had no luck. In part this is because I am not a citizen of the EU. However, when I approached an academy they said all positions were filled and they’d be in touch if anything came up.

My friend Eric came to stay with me and he is now in Madrid giving a few private classes. Eric stayed with my roommates and I for two months while he searched for jobs in Jerez and Seville. He has a Finnish passport and is from Colorado in the US. He had no luck and is now searching for work in Madrid. Through e-mails he has told me that work in an academy is hard to find right now in Madrid.

Hope I helped everyone get a bit of a picture of the situation here in Spain.
A good idea is to start the job search as early as possible. There are still places to be filled and so a thorough search is always the best bet. Anything else I can tell you, e-mail me.

Un saludo (best)
Calvin

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is constantly looking for teachers. These are good jobs with good hours and include reimbursed airfare, healthcare, pension, and a modest place to live. If you are an American (can’t speak for other countries) you don’t pay (but do have to file!) US taxes, and receive your Korean tax monies and pension funds back after your stint. If you have a Masters as well as CELTA, you can teach in University writing centers and some smaller universities and private academies. Hagwons (Korean foreign language schools) are also an option.

You will not get rich, but you will save some. Currently the Korean won exchange: 10,000 won = 7.13USD, 5.50Euro, 5.17 British Pounds. The won has been hit hard by the crisis.