Italy

Italy is one of the most popular destinations for TEFL qualified teachers in Western Europe due to the number of jobs available, as well as the lifestyle that the country can provide. While you will find numerous job prospects in many parts of the country, the most plentiful job markets are found in the bigger cities where you will normally find plenty of opportunities. Although the salaries on offer are often not that high when compared to the cost of living, many teachers find that the Italian way of life more than compensates for any imbalance.

How to Find a TEFL Job in Italy

It is possible to secure a teaching position in Italy from outside of the country as many employers advertise their vacant positions online. When looking for work from within the country, the most effective method is to simply make contact with as many potential employers as you can find, even if they are not actually advertising any vacant positions. In order to find potential employers you can make use of a wide variety of sources including local newspapers, telephone and business directories, language teaching websites and online school directories.

Once you have compiled a list of potential employers you should contact them in person or by telephone and send them an up-to-date CV/resume that includes a recent photograph. Hopefully this approach will result in a positive outcome, however, even if the schools you contact are not looking for anyone at the time, you should stay in touch with them because situations can change quite quickly in the language school environment.

You will generally find that there are jobs available all year round in Italy, although the best time to start applying is probably from February onwards as many schools prefer to have their positions filled well in advance of the start of the school year in September. However, as many positions are filled so far in advance of the school year it is not unusual for these arrangements to fall through before the job actually begins. Due to this, many schools will be looking to fill positions right up until the start of the school year and beyond.

Questions to Ask Employers

If you are offered a teaching position that you are interested in, you should make sure that you are clear on a few important issues before you accept the job or sign a contract. Firstly, you should make sure that you have precise details regarding your pay scale, the amount of hours you will be expected to work, as well as any benefits you are entitled to such as travel expenses, health care or housing support. It is also a good idea to know what equipment and materials you will have access to when planning and carrying out your lessons. Finally, you should also enquire about the need for work permits or visas and whether the employer will help with the organisation and expense of any official paperwork you may require.

Job Expectations in Italy

TEFL qualified teachers from European countries such as the UK and Ireland will generally find it easier to secure teaching positions than citizens of non-EU countries. However, native English speakers from non-European countries still have a good chance of finding work in Italy if they are motivated to hunt down all the possibilities. The most numerous opportunities are likely to be found in the bigger cities such as Rome, Milan, Florence, Bologna and Turin.