TEFL course and TEFL Jobs in Italy
Italy is a country of contrasts, beauty and romance. It's
also a country where good taste in fashion and food is a
pre-requisite to survival. Whether it's Gucci or Prada,
gnocchi or papardelle, the Italians take an immense, and
justifiable, pride in their national assets. But three millennia
of history and culture go a lot further than credit cards
and waistlines…for this is also one of the oldest,
and most fascinating, European countries. The art and architecture
are second to none and whether you choose to take it all
in by foot, by gondola, or on the back of a Vespa, the journey
is simply breathtaking.
The TEFL market in Italy is well-established and continuing
to grow, making it a great destination for those looking
for work. Italy can be a particularly good option for newly-qualified
teachers, as many schools (particularly those in smaller
towns) are willing to take on teachers with relatively little
teaching experience.
Many of the jobs are in smaller towns and cities and some
jobs are offered in more rural settings, in which case a
school car is often provided for the teacher’s use.
It is always a good idea to check out the precise location
of the school so that you know exactly what to expect. There
are also plenty of jobs around in the larger cities, although
you may find that many of the schools there require teachers
to have a couple of years experience under their belt. Milan
is a particularly rich area for TEFL work, especially in
the area of Business English Teaching.
Most contracts with private language schools will begin
in September/October and run through to June or July. The
majority of schools will require teachers to have a CELTA/TESOL
or equivalent qualification, and any knowledge of Italian
will be an advantage, although by no means a necessity.
Teachers can expect to teach a variety of age-groups and
class-types. Business clients and Younger Learners are very
common, and you may even find that you are sent to the local
‘scuola media’ (high school) to teach English
classes. Driving out to give lessons at a company’s
place of work is also fairly common, so having a driving
licence will definitely be an advantage when you are looking
for work.
On average, teachers can expect to be contracted for 25-30
hours teaching a week, although at busy times of the year
they may be asked to do extra. Salaries tend to be between
800 and 1000 euros a month, although if the school provides
accommodation, rent may be taken directly out of your wages
each month.
English-learning in Italy is big business and you will
find that Italians are generally very enthusiastic students.
Their reputation as a warm and hospitable nation is well-deserved
and teaching in the country will give you a fantastic insight
into their language and culture.
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