FAQs by New Teachers

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What kind of teachers do English in Action employ?What qualifications do EIA require?I am newly qualified, can I still apply?What happens once you have received my application?What happens if I am successful?What are the teaching hours?What are the class sizes?What is the teaching style/structure?What course materials are available?Will I be expected to do extra curricular activities?Is there a support network for teachers working overseas?Is there a dress code?Where are the contracts?Can I choose where I work?How long are the contracts?What expenses are covered?How will I be paid?Which airport will I fly from?Are travel costs to the airport included?Will I need to arrange my own travel insurance?How do I apply for a position?

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What kind of teachers do you employ?

We are looking for enthusiastic and lively teachers who feel confident about creating a relaxed and productive learning environment in the classroom. The preferred teaching style is broadly communicative and student-centred.

What qualifications do you require?
The vast majority of teachers employed are EFL trained to RSA Cambridge or Trinity Certificate level as a minimum. We also employ non EFL-trained teachers who are PGCE qualified, or who have gained undergraduate degrees in Education. In addition to qualifications, we are looking for people who work extremely well as team members, are flexible and adaptable, and who will deal calmly and maturely with any local difficulties or problems that may arise.

I am newly qualified, can I still apply?
We employ teachers with a range of experience, from people with many years of teaching behind them to newly-qualified teachers, and at any one school aim for a balance in terms of age, experience and gender.

What happens once you have received my application?
Provided you meet the minimum requirements, your application will be acknowledged by email.

What happens if I am successful?
If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend one of our interview workshops, held at various times of the year. Occasionally, we are able to offer telephone interviews.

What are the teaching hours?
Most courses run over a period of one week, a typical course involving 6 x 50-minute lessons per day (Monday to Friday), giving a total of 25 hours of tuition. In Europe lessons start early in the morning and finish early in the afternoon, leaving teachers free for most of the afternoon and evening to plan lessons, socialise and relax.

What are the class sizes?
Class sizes in Europe are between 10 and 15 and in other countries, depending on local conditions, between 15 and 25.

What is the teaching style/structure?
The courses are designed to increase the confidence and motivation of the students, and ordinarily place a focus on listening and speaking skills.

Lessons focus on communicative activities, project work and preparation for a short presentation in the afternoon or evening of the final day. This presentation usually takes the form of songs, sketches, readings, etc.

What course materials are available?
You will be provided with a set of detailed lesson plans, a copy of the student book and additional resources (e.g. CD, flashcards, well done stickers etc) for each of the courses that you teach. Some of our courses also require you to use your own ideas and materials for some of the lessons.

Will I be expected to do extra curricular activities?
With the vast majority of our courses there is no further contact time beyond the contracted hours. In the occasional situation where extra responsibilities are required, you will be told about this when you are offered the contract.

Local teachers or parents may invite you to visit their house for dinner, or offer to take you to see the sights of the local area: although you are under no obligation to accept these offers, we do encourage our teachers to mix with the local teachers as much as reasonably possible outside the normal teaching hours.

Is there a support network for teachers working overseas?
English in Action strongly believes in providing teachers with help and support, both before departure from the UK, and during the courses by means of close academic management.

Teachers with the necessary experience and qualifications are encouraged to put themselves forward for leadership positions.

Is there a dress code?
Whilst it is not necessary to dress formally, it should be noted that smart dress is required in school (i.e. not jeans, t-shirts, trainers). It is advised that male teachers bring a shirt and tie for special events, such as the end-of-course presentation.

Where are the contracts?
The majority of our overseas courses take place in Austria but we also run (on a much smaller scale) similar programmes in Italy, Turkey, Slovenia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, France, Bulgaria, Russia, Germany, Spain, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Japan and Korea.

Can I choose where I work?
Whilst at times it may be possible to take into account personal preference, contracts are offered according to bookings we have and your availability, skills and experience.

How long are the contracts?
The duration of the contracts may be between a single week and as long as two months. Therefore, as the number of teachers required for each week will vary, we are looking for teachers who are available to work for anything between 1 and 8 weeks depending on the period and the availability of work.

What expenses are covered?
English in Action will arrange and pay for return flights, bed and breakfast accommodation at a local guest house or equivalent. In addition, we will cover the cost of any work related travel expenses you are required to make within the country you are working.

How will I be paid?
Teachers are paid a basic weekly salary into their UK bank account and a daily living allowance in the country of course delivery. The amount of daily living allowance will vary according to the cost of living in the country in which the course is being delivered.

Teachers will also receive additional pay to cover accrued holiday entitlement under the WTR (Working Time Regulations 1998)

Which airport will I fly from?
All flights are booked from a London airport. The departure airport will depend on the destination and availability of flights.

In certain circumstances, the date of return flight may be altered upon prior request but such requests must be made in writing at the time of accepting the appointment.

All international travel is by air, so teachers who are nervous flyers should think very carefully before agreeing to undertake any offer of work made to them.

Are travel costs to the airport included?
Teachers are expected to make their own way to and from the UK departure airport at their own expense.

Will I need to arrange my own travel insurance?
English in Action will provide, free of charge, travel insurance to cover teachers whilst overseas (the insurance cover is only valid for travel originating and ending in the UK). The insurance covers life, illness and personal injury, as well as the standard travel provision for theft, lost baggage etc.

There are, however, exemptions with regard to hazardous sports and activities. Any teachers planning to go skiing, climbing, etc. are advised to take out additional travel insurance to cover both themselves and the cost to English in Action of supplying a replacement teacher in the event of an accident.

How do I apply for a position?
Download a Teacher Information Form and email this to us, along with an up to date C.V. and the names and address of two referees.

Please note that English in Action does not organise work permits/visas for non UK residents