Greetings all! I am new to this forum as I just discovered it in my research for a potential move to Switzerland. So far, I've found the most useful and helpful information here- thank you! I am a US citizen from New York, and would very much like to move to Switzerland (Bern) for an amazing woman. I have learned that this is an extrememly strenuous and complicated process, but I am an optimistic person and like to think that almost anything is possible if your willing to work hard enough for it. With that said, my plan is to obtain CELTA or TEFL certification to become an English teacher. I would like to take the necessary certifications back in NY, and hopefully find employment for the start of the fall 2010 school year in Bern. I have no experience as a teacher, and I posses a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field. I also only speak English and just begun learning German. I've been reading away on previous posts and learning quite a lot, but I still have several unanswered questions. I'm sure some of these questions may seem redundant to the forum, but like I said, I have not discovered the answers. If anyone could please shed some light on any of the following questions, I would truly appreciate it.

1. Can anyone hypothesize or say from experience, will schools ganfully hire native speaking english teachers with only the credentials of a CELTA or TEFL certificate? I know that each kanton has there own system and requirments, and that each individual school may operate different as well. I also realize that Switzerland has different schools systems (private, state, international, and language schools). Can you advise which type of school may be my best option?

2. I have visited a couple TEFL programs in New York, however, I am still uncertain if I would have more luck with CELTA, TEFL, or if it would make a difference at all. It appears that CELTA is more widely known. I would also like to pursue CELTYL extension too. Any advice here?

3. What's the best way to go about seeking employment aside from the resources of the program I enter? From other posts, it sounds like Swiss schools do not adverstise positions and that job seekers are better off directly contacting schools.

4. Any other useful information or links you can recommend?

Thanks again for any help. I am extremely excited about Switzerland and hope to make this dream a reality.

Hello

I cant say from experience but here is my hypothesis

You are non EU, with no relevant experience in your chosen field and no qualifications (yet). I would assume that to find employment for the school year starting in 8-9 months is almost impossible.

But good luck anw

Without an EU passport you may not get paper. Any chance of an Italian or Irish grandparent to sort that one? If not it will be uphill.

Only consider a Cambridge / RSA CELTA. This is the most respected cert here and will travel well also. The young learner add on will be of little use here as your best (only) bet of an employer will be a private language school. These mostly deal with young adults and working people. The worst pay is about 30 an hour and 50 is sort of average. Naturally it varies by area. Forget about the state sector. Bang on the door of PLSs when you arrive...

So do your CELTA before you get here, teach privately at rock-bottom rates regardless if you get papers or not. Start with conversation classes until you build up your confidence. You may get some hours with a school but it would be wrong to give you the impression that you will be able to get one employer that could offer you enough work to live on.

Save up and come here with the attitude that it will be a long vacation/experiment and as many dollars as you can. You might get lucky but make sure you have an exit plan!

If the woman thing works out she can maybe help get those papers .

Good luck!

You might want to consider doing your CELTA here as the instructors are from the area and could give you very useful information about schools and jobs as well as a personal recommendation if you are good. As anywhere, networking is everything. Check out http://www.e-tas.ch/. You should be looking at private language schools; for state schools, a CELTA is not enough.

Good luck!

It would somewhat more impressive if you didn't make basic grammatical errors in your written English.

I would clear that up before attempting a teaching post as an English language instructor.

Part of the problem you'll encounter is that if someone needs a native English language teacher, they have all of the UK and Ireland to go to first, before they even begin to scratch the surface with non-EU people. Not to mention those here with permits already, such as spouses of Swiss/EU citizens, who would be hired long before a non-EU person.

I'm afraid you're going to have a very, very difficult time qualifying for a visa here.

Even with a degree in English language and teaching experience as well as a TEFL or CELTA, local language etc., you would still be at the back of the queue in terms of work permit for this type of work, unfortunately. Do you have no options with your actual qualifications and experience worth considering?

By the simple fact your mother tongue may be English, this certainly does not qualify you to become an English teacher !

A lot of people think that it's an easy option, well, get real, it isn't, and there are plenty of qualified and experienced English teachers out their, also looking for work.

Take the CELTA, it's more widely recognised. And although a tad more expensive, will pay for itself within a few years with better schools/higher salaries.

Write speculative applications to schools, TEFL teaching is a transitive business and people are always leaving.

I don't know about permits and stuff like that for non-eu, but I know quite a few Americans who work here teaching English.

Don't worry about your level of grammatical accuracy at this point, the CELTA teaches you that through teaching methods which you then use on small groups.

Teaching is a rewarding and diverse job which I have found to be a great career. I live and teach English in Switzerland, PM me for more info...

Bouquetin

Thanks everyone for your feedback and advice. I appreciate it very much. I have been doing a lot of research/planning and will continue to do so.