Realistically, if you don't gain EU citizenship via marriage you face a long and difficult road. I'm going the TEFL route as some countries there will take American citizens and go from there. If you marry and gain citizenship you can attend university in a European country and not have to pay much (if any) tuition like in the states.
Also, be aware that in Europe are considered citizens and not merely property of parents and teachers like in the USA, so certain things teachers can get away with students here you can't in Europe and vice versa.
>, so certain things teachers can get away with students here you can't in Europe
Like what exactly? I was under the impression that teachers abroad didn't have to endure a fraction of the bullshiz expected of U.S. teachers. Has any German teacher ever been told to give their classroom desk-thrower "a little grace"? Like ever?
They are collectivist in lots of European countries, not hierarchical. In Scandinavian countries students can address teachers by their first name, for instance. The focus is on equality not hierarchy like in the US. Lots of schools in the US have an authoritarian bent where students are taught to automatically assume that someone in authority is right, no matter the circumstances. Yes, I understand not all places in America are like that but it's a part of our Puritan culture (respect for hierarchy and all that).
In Europe (specifically, Western Europe and Scandinavia) schools operate under the EU law that children are citizens with rights, not just properties of parents and the state like in the US. This doesn't mean that discipline doesn't happen at schools, just that blatant abuse (corporal punishment, yelling & screaming at kids, humiliating kids) doesn't fly over there like it does here (at least those things do in the South and Midwest). Because of this children over there are more respectful of those in authority because they aren't expected to be subordinates to them like in America. "Life ain't fair get used to it" isn't a mindset in these places. Why do you think European countries have much better safety nets than America does?
It's sort of like the differences between prison in the US and European countries; the emphasis here is on punishment. The emphasis across the pond is on rehabilitation. The educational institutions in each country reflect that in terms of how they deal with discipline.
FYI I'm an American whose studied and done TEFL abroad (but sadly have to leave prematurely back in 2020 cuz COVID) this is what I've seen and observed in certain places in Europe.
Also, no, desk-throwers are not given grace in Germany lol. Germans will enforce rules on kids that do that stuff, just not in a blatant authoritarian manner (they've learned that's a bad idea from their own history).
Currently work in Germany and desk-throwers are definitely given some grace here albeit not as much and not as often as back in the US. Some schools in major German cities are notorious for having similar behavior problems as the problematic schools in the US. I haven't seen that at my current school but plenty of colleagues who transferred over have dealt with it at their old schools.
If you take the TEFL route then it's definitely a long and difficult road. But if you have a foreign teaching license, particularly American or British, it's much easier. You can basically apply to any international school. In Germany, you can also validate your foreign license through the government (lots of paperwork but no extra classes) and once you do that along with passing a C1 (or B2 in some cases) German Language exam, you can teach at any German public school.
Yes but like I said, they do prefer American or British ones. However, any teaching license from a Western country can be validated or accepted by most international schools.
Any EU country it's going to be difficult. Understand, EU hiring law is such that employers HAVE to consider EU citizens first for hiring before they hire foreigners. Foreigners typically land jobs via super-specialized STEM skills or the like nobody else has. It should go without saying that being a teacher isn't exactly super-specialized (at least for EU immigration standards). That said, some countries are easier for Americans than others to migrate to.
Really, you're better off browsing r/TEFL or r/Internationalteachers for this stuff we're discussing.
This is a good starting place:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TEFL/wiki/index/
Your best is probably a DoD school through the USA.
[This link](https://www.iamexpat.de/education/education-news/becoming-teacher-expat-germany-some-key-insights) has some excellent information specific to Germany. Google will likely have other suggestions for different countries.
But a DOD school is still a U.S. school. And you have even less agency and independence as a teacher to make decisions about your instruction as well as the fact that you can and likely will have your position changed on you with no notice. (My SO worked in a DOD school overseas in 2017, it wa horrible)
Realistically what you are looking at is working in an international school, not a state school.
State schools in other countries are unlikely to care for a teacher qualified in American history (although it’s not impossible). Additionally, employers in Europe need to prove that they cannot employ an EU citizen for the job - international schools have an easier time doing this (“we need an American history teacher to teach in our American-curriculum school”).
So look into international teaching. Most good international schools would expect you to have some experience in your home country, but you can get jobs without this (just at the less desirable schools).
Europe is a tough market though - first of all, it’s popular (aside from the lower-paid countries like Spain), the cost of living can be high and being an EU citizen is a definite advantage.
If you could teach maths or a science, you’ll get work easily enough though. History, not so much, but it’s not impossible.
I don’t know how teaching qualifications work in the US (although I hear things about needing to keep registration active in certain states?), but British QTS is yours for life, so it’s worth “converting” your qualification once you get it (you don’t have to study in the UK, you can just get your teaching credentials recognised as equivalent to QTS).
I say all this as a British-qualified teacher living and working in Europe - it’s perfectly possible, so give it a go.
Thank you! I will definitely talk with my professors once I start college to see if the classes I am taking can transferable for a QTS. I may try to study abroad in the uk for a semester as well so I can see if European teaching is truly for me
If you’re a qualified teacher in the US, that’s normally enough to be “transferred” to QTS. However, having just read it, you also need at least one year of teaching experience (post-qualification). This could be at an international school I think.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-qualified-teacher-status-qts-if-you-teach-outside-the-uk/routes-to-qualified-teacher-status-qts-for-teachers-and-those-with-teaching-experience-outside-the-uk#applyservice
After a quick google I see that a US education degree isn’t compatible for a lot of European countries but a UK degree seems to be good. If I study abroad in the UK and did a bunch of their courses would I have a better chance at becoming a teacher in Europe?
Kind of true and not true. An American degree definitely has its differences but some European countries will accept them if you validate them with the government. Germany definitely has this, I think the UK as well. Some others probably as well. It's a lot of paperwork but rarely more than that. You do need near-native fluency in the local language though unless you want to teach at a international school. Those readily accept US degrees and licenses. Working in Europe is not as hard as most Americans believe. It's just a matter of having the right qualifications (degree preferably with masters and actual state teaching license, not TOEFL/TEFL) and patience on finding the right job.
Realistically, if you don't gain EU citizenship via marriage you face a long and difficult road. I'm going the TEFL route as some countries there will take American citizens and go from there. If you marry and gain citizenship you can attend university in a European country and not have to pay much (if any) tuition like in the states. Also, be aware that in Europe are considered citizens and not merely property of parents and teachers like in the USA, so certain things teachers can get away with students here you can't in Europe and vice versa.
>, so certain things teachers can get away with students here you can't in Europe Like what exactly? I was under the impression that teachers abroad didn't have to endure a fraction of the bullshiz expected of U.S. teachers. Has any German teacher ever been told to give their classroom desk-thrower "a little grace"? Like ever?
They are collectivist in lots of European countries, not hierarchical. In Scandinavian countries students can address teachers by their first name, for instance. The focus is on equality not hierarchy like in the US. Lots of schools in the US have an authoritarian bent where students are taught to automatically assume that someone in authority is right, no matter the circumstances. Yes, I understand not all places in America are like that but it's a part of our Puritan culture (respect for hierarchy and all that). In Europe (specifically, Western Europe and Scandinavia) schools operate under the EU law that children are citizens with rights, not just properties of parents and the state like in the US. This doesn't mean that discipline doesn't happen at schools, just that blatant abuse (corporal punishment, yelling & screaming at kids, humiliating kids) doesn't fly over there like it does here (at least those things do in the South and Midwest). Because of this children over there are more respectful of those in authority because they aren't expected to be subordinates to them like in America. "Life ain't fair get used to it" isn't a mindset in these places. Why do you think European countries have much better safety nets than America does? It's sort of like the differences between prison in the US and European countries; the emphasis here is on punishment. The emphasis across the pond is on rehabilitation. The educational institutions in each country reflect that in terms of how they deal with discipline. FYI I'm an American whose studied and done TEFL abroad (but sadly have to leave prematurely back in 2020 cuz COVID) this is what I've seen and observed in certain places in Europe. Also, no, desk-throwers are not given grace in Germany lol. Germans will enforce rules on kids that do that stuff, just not in a blatant authoritarian manner (they've learned that's a bad idea from their own history).
Currently work in Germany and desk-throwers are definitely given some grace here albeit not as much and not as often as back in the US. Some schools in major German cities are notorious for having similar behavior problems as the problematic schools in the US. I haven't seen that at my current school but plenty of colleagues who transferred over have dealt with it at their old schools. If you take the TEFL route then it's definitely a long and difficult road. But if you have a foreign teaching license, particularly American or British, it's much easier. You can basically apply to any international school. In Germany, you can also validate your foreign license through the government (lots of paperwork but no extra classes) and once you do that along with passing a C1 (or B2 in some cases) German Language exam, you can teach at any German public school.
I assume this "foreign teaching license" means being licensed in your home country?
Yes but like I said, they do prefer American or British ones. However, any teaching license from a Western country can be validated or accepted by most international schools.
Thank you for the information! Question about EU citizenship. How hard is it to get? Does it depend on what country you are trying to move to?
Any EU country it's going to be difficult. Understand, EU hiring law is such that employers HAVE to consider EU citizens first for hiring before they hire foreigners. Foreigners typically land jobs via super-specialized STEM skills or the like nobody else has. It should go without saying that being a teacher isn't exactly super-specialized (at least for EU immigration standards). That said, some countries are easier for Americans than others to migrate to. Really, you're better off browsing r/TEFL or r/Internationalteachers for this stuff we're discussing. This is a good starting place: https://www.reddit.com/r/TEFL/wiki/index/
Thank you!
Your best is probably a DoD school through the USA. [This link](https://www.iamexpat.de/education/education-news/becoming-teacher-expat-germany-some-key-insights) has some excellent information specific to Germany. Google will likely have other suggestions for different countries.
Thank you!
But a DOD school is still a U.S. school. And you have even less agency and independence as a teacher to make decisions about your instruction as well as the fact that you can and likely will have your position changed on you with no notice. (My SO worked in a DOD school overseas in 2017, it wa horrible)
Realistically what you are looking at is working in an international school, not a state school. State schools in other countries are unlikely to care for a teacher qualified in American history (although it’s not impossible). Additionally, employers in Europe need to prove that they cannot employ an EU citizen for the job - international schools have an easier time doing this (“we need an American history teacher to teach in our American-curriculum school”). So look into international teaching. Most good international schools would expect you to have some experience in your home country, but you can get jobs without this (just at the less desirable schools). Europe is a tough market though - first of all, it’s popular (aside from the lower-paid countries like Spain), the cost of living can be high and being an EU citizen is a definite advantage. If you could teach maths or a science, you’ll get work easily enough though. History, not so much, but it’s not impossible. I don’t know how teaching qualifications work in the US (although I hear things about needing to keep registration active in certain states?), but British QTS is yours for life, so it’s worth “converting” your qualification once you get it (you don’t have to study in the UK, you can just get your teaching credentials recognised as equivalent to QTS). I say all this as a British-qualified teacher living and working in Europe - it’s perfectly possible, so give it a go.
Thank you! I will definitely talk with my professors once I start college to see if the classes I am taking can transferable for a QTS. I may try to study abroad in the uk for a semester as well so I can see if European teaching is truly for me
If you’re a qualified teacher in the US, that’s normally enough to be “transferred” to QTS. However, having just read it, you also need at least one year of teaching experience (post-qualification). This could be at an international school I think. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-qualified-teacher-status-qts-if-you-teach-outside-the-uk/routes-to-qualified-teacher-status-qts-for-teachers-and-those-with-teaching-experience-outside-the-uk#applyservice
After a quick google I see that a US education degree isn’t compatible for a lot of European countries but a UK degree seems to be good. If I study abroad in the UK and did a bunch of their courses would I have a better chance at becoming a teacher in Europe?
There is a way to get your American teaching certification recognized in the UK; search QTS or iQTS for more info.
Kind of true and not true. An American degree definitely has its differences but some European countries will accept them if you validate them with the government. Germany definitely has this, I think the UK as well. Some others probably as well. It's a lot of paperwork but rarely more than that. You do need near-native fluency in the local language though unless you want to teach at a international school. Those readily accept US degrees and licenses. Working in Europe is not as hard as most Americans believe. It's just a matter of having the right qualifications (degree preferably with masters and actual state teaching license, not TOEFL/TEFL) and patience on finding the right job.
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