hey my name is Aaron, this year I will be 20 and I'm studying to become a teacher. I am native in English and it's my dream to teach in Switzerland. Last year I did an exchange to Lausanne and I think for me, that's the ideal place to live and work. I was wondering, even if I have my Bachelor degree in arts/education here, how challenging would it be to get a job over there? Do I need to study in Switzerland too? I can (and I am planning to) specialise to be an ESL teacher (English as a Second Language). I am proficient in French as I studied it at high school and I am doing it as my major at university.

Does anyone have any advice on what I should do too to increase my chances of finding a job there? is there a demand for English teachers anyway?

If anyone can help me out that'd be awesome
Thanks!

Welcome to the forum.

Why not check out the International school of Lausanne. At the very least you should be able to find out where you stand as far as qualifications required.

www.isl.ch/

Good luck.

If you want to work in an international school then you will need a teaching qualification and normally at least two years teaching experience. Of course this can vary depending on how short of teachers they are.

Your profile says that you are Australian, unless you hold a EU passport then getting a work permit will be difficult. I know a number of cases where schools have had difficulty getting permits for non EU as they have to prove there is no one Swiss or in the EU who can do the job.

If you want to teach in the local system then training over here would certainly make your life easier. You could also have a look at this thread with regard to getting teaching qualifications recognised here

My girlfriend did the CELTA course here and was able to work for "Flying Teachers", where she also did the training. They don't pay terrible well, but it can be a "gateway" into other teaching jobs here. I think there was an Australian on the course, but she was married to a Swiss person, and was therefore able to get a work permit.I guess it would be hard if you are a non-EU resident.

If you are an EU citizen, your chances are good. If not, it's going to require a lot of luck.

Good luck

It seems to be overexploding with people wanting to become teachers in 2-3 other threads.

Any chance to combine them, dear mods?

That'll teach them!

Hey,
I am also the same boat as you, I will qualify this May as a early years primary school teacher. I have trained for almost 4 years now and before I do my NQT year I really want to teach for a year or several months in Switzerland. I saw this earlier-

http://www.thelocal.com/premiumjobs/.../oberssee_.pdf

on 2 jobs going in a primary school- one in the early years and one for the primary years.

If you hear of any early year jobs- could you give me a shout

Thanks

Alice

Not being EU is not a big deal here, all the top International Schools hire Non EU teachers and there are many of them. It is true each school has a quota they can hire, but if they want you they will make it happen.

I've been looking into doing the CELTA course - whereabouts did she do the course? Was it expensive? As the places I've seen that offer it charge over 4000CHF.

Really?

Yes I know a few non EU citizens who are employed by international schools, however not one of them is the primary work permit holder... The OP will be trying to obtain a permit in his own right and that is not going to be at all easy.

You mentioned studying here. I think that's a good way to get your foot in the door. First, you'd get a local qualification that would be more likely to be accepted by potential employers. Second, you'll get a feel for what it is like to live here longer-term, and see if it's the Utopia you think it is. Finally, students can stay here 6 months after graduation to look for work.

She did the course at Flying Teachers. I think it was about 3000 CHF (maybe a bit more). Mind, they may have regulated the prices since then.

Hello!

I'm from the UK and I'M living in Vaud teaching english as a foreign language in a few different language schools. I'm looking eventually in the future to infiltrate the public school sector.. So i'm planning on taking the international french proficiency DALF C2 EXAM by the end of this year.

I've got a BA(hons) in telecommunications and my CELTA.

How do you think i stand? Is it worth getting the DELTA on top of the CELTA too? or do i need to go through a university here and get a certificate? I can't see why i should if CELTA and DELTA are the worlds most respected ESL teaching certs.... any advice? thanks chums

I have a DELTA, a CELTA and an MA in Education and am finding it difficult to get enough work even with over 10 years experience.

It can be cheaper to do these extra qualifications somewhere else such as Spain, Czech Republic or the UK.

A lot of the private language schools don't pay all that well (and some are rather exploitive)and rarely have enough work if you need full time employment.
The universities and volkhochschules pay well but you pretty much have to shoot someone to create a vacancy!

The language schools I work with are fantastic, great teams.. Pay isnt so bad either..Maybe I'm lucky.. Or maybe you're unlucky... I want to be a full on teacher though and would like to teach young adults and children.. How is your French?? I think with the C2 DALF I wil be in good standing..