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Why is there a demand for English teachers? Germany has an excellent state education system ensuring that the majority of Germans have a good grounding in English. The main market for EFL teachers lies within the business and professional community .Berlin also has a thriving young, professional population so there are plenty of opportunities for EFL teachers. These are mainly concentrated around the major cities such as Munich, Dusseldorf, Berlin, Dresden or Manheim, but competition for jobs is pretty high so searching outside the main cities is also a good strategy.
How do I go about getting a job? If arriving on spec, try the Yellow pages in the big cities and the British Council offices. The German government gives incentives to companies to encourage them to invest in training their work force. As a result, many offer courses in English, which means there are numerous well paid positions in the business and commercial sector for EFL teachers. If you are applying from the UK, are under 30 and are a graduate or undergraduate, you can try the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges. They can help arrange placements as classroom assistants at German secondary schools. Advertisements for German EFL positions do sometimes appear in the Guardian on Tuesdays, the Times Educational Supplement on Fridays and the EL Gazette (all UK), but German employers will normally want to meet you before offering any form of contract and cannot offer you a position based solely on your CV. There are many English schools throughout Germany, so you should not have too much trouble finding a job. It is just a question of targeting a number of schools and getting your CV sent off to them. Most schools have business students, so be prepared to teach business English too.
Do I need to learn/speak the language? It is not essential to speak German fluently, but knowing the basics will prove helpful.
Where do EFL teachers live? Some schools will arrange accommodation or help you to find somewhere. A one-bedroom apartment costs around £250-£400 per month but the differences between the big cities are significant: Munich is the most expensive, while Berlin is actually cheaper than average. A good way to save money is to arrange a WG (Wohngemeinschaft or flat-share).
What is the food like? A typical German meal consists of around six to seven courses, so be prepared for plenty of food! Generally, you will find local, pot-roasted meat and imported pan-fried dishes from France. Meat is often eaten in form of sausage throughout Germany. Bread is a big part of the German diet, and usually eaten for breakfast and as sandwiches in the evening, Any true German would never like to be so rude as to not serve coffee and cake to welcome guests!
What will I do in the evenings, on days off or on my holidays? Germans are a fun-loving nationality, and you are guaranteed a good time if you time your trip there to coincide with one of their festivals. The southern region is famous for its castles, and for world-renowed events like "Oktoberfest" (Festival of October). Summer is fabulous because sunny skies bring people outdoors, beer gardens are in full swing, and festivals and outdoor events enliven villages and cities. Hiking, cycling, swimming and outdoor pursuits are all highly popular during these months. The ski season usually starts in early to mid-December, peaks after the New Year and closes down again with the onset of the snowmelt in March.
When is the best time to travel for English teaching jobs? September & January are the best months to find employment. Teaching contracts start in October coinciding with the school term which starts in September/October. Germany also has courses starting all year round due to the predominance of business English.
PAID TEACHING PLACEMENTS:
Teach EFL south of Munich with our paid teaching placement in Germany!
Or why not consider our placement in Hessen?
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