Teach English In Italy - Tips On Getting An ESL Job In Italy

Italy is one of the top destinations for ESL teachers in Europe. If you want to teach English in Italy, you can either picture yourself taking in the sites in Rome or Milan; or, you can picture yourself sipping wine in a tiny village, eating fresh handmade pasta. Either way, Italy is an unforgettable experience, and you may find it impossible to come back.

But first, how do you get there?

Getting A Job

Your best bet for landing a job in Italy is to just head there with all your paperwork, including resumes, certificates, references and so forth. As with most countries, you don’t need teaching qualifications, but they will help a lot. Italy is a pretty tough country to get a teaching job in with only a four-year college degree, but it can be done.

The best way to find a job in Italy? Pound the pavements. Go door-to-door if you have to, with a big smile, an American accent and, of course, all your paperwork in order.

The easiest way to find a job in Italy is to be a member of the EU. Definitely, most companies look for teachers from other European countries first. However, there is quite a bit of demand for “American” English, and Canadians can cash in on this trend as well. If you are from North America, look for a company that specializes in teaching North American English.

Getting Through The Red Tape

Probably the toughest part about getting your job in Italy is getting paid. Italy is known for its red tape, and it’s known for giving foreigners who want to live and work there a hard time. Make sure you have everything covered completely with all your visa paperwork.

There is a certain quality about Italian culture that is infamous to those who have spent time there. What I’m talking about is the fact that the Italian bureaucracy has rules and regulations, but they are open to interpretation. This means that they are not always followed as closely as you’d expect them to be. This can be frustrating for foreigners who aren’t used to it, and the best thing you can do is talk to someone who has spent some time there.

Italy Needs English Teachers

The good news is that English is in higher demand in Italy than in most other European countries. Italy is still a bit behind France, Germany and Spain. Also, not very many English teachers have taken the notion to teach there. Most people opt for Asia or Eastern Europe, where it’s easier to get a job. That means that there’s not too much competition. This high demand and low competition makes Italy a great place to look for a teaching job.

If you can get any kind of TESOL training under your belt, that will help immensely. It may mean the difference between having to settle for low pay and scrape by on your rent in a big city, or having your choice of job, location and salary. Look for a good TESOL certification program that is officially accredited and offers their program over a short term so you can be on your way.

Italy is a tough nut to crack, but it can be done. And, the rewards are endless. So, get your paperwork in order, buy that Italian phrasebook, and get started on your adventure!