Okay, so I was going to post a question asking about the requirements to teach English in Greece, specifically, do I need to prove my English language skills even though I am a native English speaker, but I spoke to someone at the Greek consulate in Toronto, Canada (where I live) and they said that I will not need to write any tests etc. because I have a University degree and I am a native English speaker.
I am interested in learning from anyone that teaches English in Greece when is a good time to start looking for work in a frontistirio. I am coming to Athens in July and I heard that I should not start looking for work until August however, I know that most Athenians are on vacation in August. Any comments or information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Dora :D
P.S. I noticed there are hardly any replies on this forum, why is that?
Hi Dora
Welcome :D
I hope you won't mind, but I moved your post into the general discussion bit of the forum since you're asking a question. Yes there are only a handful of posts on the forum at the moment, because I switched to a new look format about three days ago. Now that you've joined the forum, I hope that you'll stick around a while.
I have never worked in a frontistirio, but I too have heard many times that they do not start thinking about recruitment until around August. Perhaps someone can actually confirm this for us and provide some tips on frontistirio job-hunting.
I teach private English lessons some evenings. If this is something you might consider doing later on, a good time to start advertising is a couple of weeks after kids have started school in September - once parents have worked out whether kids are going to need extra help. If you're not advertising all the time, then you should advertise in the period roughly 3 months before any set of English exams is due to take place. Look at the Cambridge University system exam dates since this is the most popular system in Greece.
Were you born in Canada, or here? What's behind your decision to come to Greece?
Thanks for the reply.
I was born in Canada. I have always lived in Toronto. I have always been interested in working overseas. I went to Greece two years ago for the first time since I was a child and thought that I should try working there since I love it soo much. I feel that I have a connection to the culture and knowledge of the language and so I want try it. I also realized how difficult it is to adapt to life in a new country even when you have a connection to it.
I am concerned that I will not find a job and will have to return to Canada or that I will find a job but it will not be enough income to pay rent, food, etc. but I feel that I should at least try. Any advice or info. from English teachers would be greatly appreciated.
Dora :)
Hi Dora
You will not be tested on your capability to speak English but you will need to take a TEFL course. They can be taken online for 60 hours or over a weekend for 40 hours & they do an advanced course for 120 hours. The more hours you do the better job you will get in Greece. Other than the TEFL course you need to have an English or USA degree, which you & I both have so that’s good. Your only problem is not living in the EU or being born in Greece. The Greek government will make it very difficult, almost impossible for you to live and work there. Similarly to how me as an English person finds it difficult to live and work in USA because of your government.
I’m moving to Greece in January 2008 and will be working in bar with my girlfriend while I’m searching for a teaching job living off our savings. As were from the EU we won’t even have our passport stamped when we enter so the government will have no record of when we entered or left. But as you are not from the EU you will only be entitled to stay for 90 days in a one year period and not work during that time.
For more into email me at BARRYHERON@hotmail.co.uk
Barry