Many find that obtaining a job teaching English in Germany is not an easy task for ESL teachers who are not from an EU nation. Although difficult, it is still possible to find employment; be prepared for paperwork.
The peak hiring season in German schools varies depending on the area an ESL teacher is moving to. Smaller cities in former Russia-controlled East Germany like Leipzig, Dresden, and Erfurt are in more need of American ESL teachers than the more popular destinations of Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg. Many ESL teachers in Germany have found more success applying to teach in smaller cities and have found these towns to be excellent places to learn about the culture and history of Germany.
Public Schools
The German school year is much like that of its American counterpart. The school year is divided into two semesters and children have a summer vacation which usually ends in the middle of August. The best time to apply for an ESL teaching position at a public school is at the end of the summer and Christmas vacation.
Private Lessons English is the international language of business in most places in the world, including Germany. ESL teachers in Germany are often hired to give one-on-one English tutoring to students of all ages and backgrounds. Some clients may be school-age children looking to keep up with their class and other clients could be VIPs of large companies needing to touch up their English conversational skills. If an ESL teacher does offer private lessons, they must be sure to keep track of all earnings and expenditures as they will be charged more tax for owning a business.
In today's world, finding a job on the other side of the globe is not as difficult as it sounds. With the Internet, English teachers can access all sorts of online resources and digital newspapers. Technology is not only useful in searching for a job, but it can also be a great source in finding a place to live.
Most German job websites are written in German, but can easily be translated to English using various online tools such as
Google Translator and
Babel Fish. Below are just some of the online resources that should help you in your search.
Resources that may include ESL teaching jobs:
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Oxford Seminars' English Language Schools Directory
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http://www.eslemployment.com
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http://www.esljobs.com/
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http://www.eslcafe.com/
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http://www.monster.de
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https://geo.craigslist.org/iso/de German Newspapers (all of which are written in German):
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https://www.sueddeutsche.de -
http://www.faz.net/ -
http://www.welt.de -
http://www.fr-online.de -
https://www.tagesspiegel.de Largest Chain Schools in Germany Private language schools offer German and native English-speaking children an English school curriculum in a German setting. In order to attend these schools, students must pay tuition costs which can reach 16,000 Euro a year. International schools often feature a wide range of students with an equally wide range of English knowledge.
Bavarian International School For nearly 20 years, the Bavarian International School has been offering an English education to residents of Munich. Located in the historic Schloss Haimhausen mansion, students are surrounded by some great examples of German countryside. Classes are offered to students from preschool age to grade 12. There are 650 students enrolled at the school with 42 nationalities represented within the diverse student body.
https://www.bis-school.com/ International School of Dusseldorf Government studies have shown that the Rhein-Ruhr region has the fastest growing English-speaking population. The International School of Dusseldorf is located within this region. Starting at the age of three and continuing up to Grade 12, the 111 staff from nine different countries teach students in English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, and other languages.
http://www.isdedu.de Frankfurt International School The Frankfurt International School is the largest private English school in Germany and has a reputation for preparing students with the necessary skills needed to seek future education at some of the best English and German schools in the world. Since 1961, the Frankfurt International School has had a diverse group of students. Currently, the school features 1,770 students from more than 52 countries. With so many ESL teachers wanting to teach here, applicants are asked to have at least a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent.
https://www.fis.edu Munich International School Located on a 26-acre property, the Munich International School is known for providing excellent English-based education to its students. In addition to featuring a renowned academic curriculum, the school also promotes healthy living by offering a wide range of sports for the students.
https://www.mis-munich.de Teaching Business English in Germany With Germany emerging as one of the wealthiest nations in Western Europe, the desire to learn the language of business is extremely high. One of the most popular options for ESL teachers in Germany is teaching business English to adults. It is much easier finding freelance work as an ESL teacher in Germany than finding a position as an 'Angestellter' (a full-time teacher position with a school) and usually the pay is better if a foreign ESL teacher manages to keep busy. Generally, teachers with more teaching experience and an understanding of the German language will earn a higher wage than those without these competencies. Those new to teaching ESL can expect to receive 15-20 EUR for a one-hour lesson; these wages can double with more experience, an understanding of the German language, and a good reputation.
Jobs Teaching English in the Summer in Germany Finding work teaching English in the summer months can be an excellent way to earn some extra money. For the most part, German students are taught English from an early age in the public school system, so many parents are not interested in hiring an ESL teacher to teach additional lessons in the summer. If they are interested, they are most likely going to send their child to a summer course in the United Kingdom. That being said, there are 'Volkshochschulen' (adult schools which do not offer official credits) that run English courses throughout the summer months.
Additional ESL Resources to Help Teach English in Germany The best thing that any future English teacher in Germany can do is spend some time researching. Use the internet to look through job postings, apartment listings, and other online resources. There are also country guides about Germany which can be purchased in any bookstore. With today's technology it is easy to go online and read about the experiences others are having teaching English in Germany. Reading this type of content gives teachers the ability to see what working as an ESL teacher in Germany is really like and some English teachers may be able to email and/or post questions to the author.
The examples below may not suit all individual teaching needs, and are meant to be used as general resources only.
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Oxford Seminars' ESL Teaching Resources
- Teach Abroad -
http://www.teachabroad.com
- Transition Abroad -
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/ Many Germans do speak English in some capacity, but German is still the native language. Learning as much German as possible before leaving will make a new life teaching English much easier.
- Getting to Germany is expensive, so taking time to research airline prices and schedules could be very worthwhile. In addition to finding the airline with the best price, try to find one with minimal layovers. The Internet is an excellent resource for ESL teachers when looking for the best deal on flying to Germany.
- Go through belongings: while it would be nice to bring everything in suitcases across the ocean, it's not practical. Airlines usually have baggage weight limits and exceeding these limits can be very expensive. Pack wisely and pay attention to the latest luggage and customs rules.
- ESL teachers should find maps of the German city they will be teaching in. Use the Internet and find transit maps, restaurants, grocery stores, drug stores, hospitals, and any future workplace or apartment.
- Traveling to Germany to teach English can be expensive and there are not as many jobs as in other markets. It is usually best to save some money before leaving to be sure that all bills can be covered until an ESL teacher gets settled in. Having saved money is also part of the requirement of getting a German working visa.
- Moving to the other side of the world usually means that ESL teachers must find someone they trust to manage their finances while they are gone. Some choose friends/family that they know and trust and others opt to speak to a professional financial advisor.
Teaching Requirements for ESL Teachers in Germany English teachers coming from another European Union nation will not experience any major issues when applying for the needed paperwork. Those coming from the outside the EU will realize that there are many hurdles to being able to teach English in Germany. Remember, any stay longer than 90 days requires a German work visa. English teachers from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan can work in Germany for up to one year with a German Working Holiday Visa.
Getting a German Working Visa When entering Germany, visitors from most countries outside the EU have a short-term Schengen Visa (tourist visa). This allows the person to travel around the nation for up to 90 days with a strict ban on working.
Any person from outside Germany and the European Union must obtain a working visa to have employment in Germany. Many English teachers in Germany find the process of getting a German working visa to be long and stressful. Although challenging, receiving a visa in Germany is much easier than in many other EU nations. There are many lawyers that offer to help with this process for a cost; this could be an option for some English teachers.
Unlike most EU nations, foreigners working in Germany do not need a separate work permit to attach with their visa. The German work visa is both a visa and a work permit, which does make the application process easier when compared to nations that require two separate application processes and equally long wait times.
Americans have two options when it comes to obtaining a German working visa. English teachers can apply at their closest German embassy or consulate. Another option is to arrive in Germany and then start the visa application process. Every Aufenthaltstitel (German work visa) includes information concerning when the visa holders' permit expires, any conditions or restrictions, a color photo, and a stamp of approval from the Aliens Office issuing the visa.
An application for an Aufenthaltstitel will typically cost about 60 Euro. Prices vary depending on the length of time the applicant is applying to stay for. Future English teachers applying for their visas in America should expect to wait one to three months for an application to be processed; again this is quicker than many European nations. Many Americans seem to have better luck when applying for a visa in Germany, but beware that applicants who choose this method must get their residence permit before their 90-day tourist visa expires and will need a German address.
Documentation Needed for German Work Visa - A valid passport.
- All areas of the application completed; when applying in the United States applicants will need to fill two applications.
- Two passport photos.
- If applying in Germany, be sure to have evidence of a German address available. To do so, bring the 'Anmeldebestatigung' issued by the 'Bezirksamt'.
- A letter from the applicant's future employer stating that a job has been offered; be sure to fill out the matching work permit application (part of the visa, not a separate card like in many EU nations).
- Bring recent and past tax information, bank statements, and other financial documents that show a healthy money situation.
- The public health system rarely covers Americans; bring evidence of private health insurance which is going to provide full coverage while working in Germany.
- A certificate of good conduct ('Fuhrungszeugnis') from your home country's embassy
- Bring cash to pay for the application.
- Any additional documentation which was requested before the application appointment.
Working Holiday Visa Germany has working holiday visa agreements with Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. This visa is meant to allow citizens from other nations to vacation in Germany and work at the same time to help maintain their travel costs. Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age. The maximum amount of time that someone can spend working one job is 90 days. This visa will expire after one year, so those interested in staying longer will need to research other options. Before being issued a Working Holiday Visa, ESL teachers must prove that they have money in the bank and have enough to pay 250 Euro for each month of the stay to cover living expenses.
Requirements for EU Citizens to Teach English in Germany Germany is one of the most influential members of the European Union and like many other countries, it has an open-door policy when it comes to citizens from other EU nations making Deutschland their new home.
All EU citizens have the right to work and live in Germany without a work visa. English teachers from the EU simply need to visit their 'Einwohnermeldeamt' or' Burgeramt' (residence registration office) in the local German city hall and register with a German address.
The United States of America Embassy and Consulates Offices in Germany Embassy of the United States in Berlin Clayallee 170 14195 Berlin Federal Republic of Germany City: Berlin Phone: 49-30-8305-0 Fax: 49 30 8305 1215 Email: ACSBerlin@state.gov Website: https://de.usembassy.gov/ Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to noon, by appointment only U.S. Consulate General in Dusseldorf Willi-Becker-Allee 10 40227 Dusseldorf Federal Republic of Germany City: Dusseldorf Phone: 49 21 1788 8927 Fax: 49 21 1788 8936 Consulate General of United States in Leipzig Wilhelm-Seyfferth-Straβe 4 04107 Leipzig Federal Republic of Germany City: Leipzig Phone: 49 34 1213 840 Fax: 49 34 1213 8471 Email: LeipzigUSConsulate@state.gov Website: https://de.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/leipzig/ Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt Giebener Str. 30 60435 Frankfurt am Main Federal Republic of Germany City: Frankfurt Phone: 49 69 7535 0 Fax: 49 69 7535 2277 Website: https://de.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/frankfurt/ U.S. Consulate General in Munich Koniginstrasse 5 80539 Munich Federal Republic of Germany City: Munich Phone: 49 89 2888 0 Fax: 49 89 280 9998 Email: ConsMunich@state.gov Website: https://de.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/munich/ Canadian Embassy and Consulates Offices in Germany Canadian Embassy in Berlin Leipziger Platz 17, 10117 Berlin Germany City: Berlin Phone: 49 30 2031 20 Fax: 49 30 2031 2121 Website: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/germany-allemagne/contact-contactez.aspx?lang=eng&menu_id=17 Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 12.30 pm; 1:30 pm to 5 pm Canadian Consulate in Munich Consulate of Canada - Munich Tal 29 80331 Munchen, Germany City: Munich Phone: 49 89 2199 570 Fax: 49 89 2199 5757 Email: munic@international.gc.ca Website: https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/germany-allemagne/offices-bureaux/consulate_munich_consulat.aspx?view=d Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm Canadian Consulate in Dusseldorf Benrather Strasse 8 40213 Dusseldorf, Germany City: Dusseldorf Phone: 49 21 1172 170 Fax: 49 211 17 21 771 Email: ddorf@international.gc.ca Website: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/germany-allemagne/offices-bureaux/consulate_dusseldorf_consulat.aspx Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am-12:00pm Honorary Consul of Canada in Stuttgart Leitzstrasse 45 70469 Stuttgart, Germany City: Stuttgart Phone: 49 71 1223 9678 Fax: 49 71 1223 9679 Email: stuttgart@canada.de Website: https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/germany-allemagne/offices-bureaux/consulate_stuttgart_consulat.aspx Normal Hours: Monday and Wednesdays, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; Thursdays, 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm Australian Embassy and Consulates Offices in Germany Australian Embassy in Berlin Wallstrasse 76-79, 10179 Berlin City: Berlin Phone: 49 30 88 00 880 Fax: 49 30 88 00 88 210 Email: info.berlin@dfat.gov.au Website: http://www.germany.embassy.gov.au/ Australian Consulate-General in Frankfurt Main Tower, 28th Floor Neue Mainzer Str. 52-58 60311 Frankfurt City: Frankfurt Phone: 49 69 90558 0 Fax: 49 69 90558 119 Australian Honorary Consulate in Munich Ms. Rebecca Liebel Pranner Strasse 8 80333 Munchen City: Munich Normal Hours: Contact Consular Section of Berlin for an appointment British Embassy and Consulates Offices in Germany British Embassy in Berlin Wilhelmstr. 70 10117 Berlin City: Berlin Phone: 49 30204 570 Fax: 49 30 20457 594 Website: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-berlin Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 5:30 pm British Consulate-General in Munich Mohlstrasse 5 81675 Munchen City: Munich Phone: 49 89 21109 0 Fax: 49 89 21109 144 Normal Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9:00am to noon and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm; and Friday 9:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 3:30pm British Consulate-General in Dusseldorf Oststrasse 86 40210 Dusseldorf City: Dusseldorf Phone: 49 2 1194 480 Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to noon and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Irish Embassy and Consulates Offices in Germany Botschaft von Irland Jagerstrasse 51 10117 Berlin City: Berlin Phone: 49 30 22072 0 Fax: 49 30 2207 2299 Website: http://www.embassyofireland.de/ Normal Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm; 2:30 pm to 4:45 pm. Honourary Consulate of Ireland in Munich Denningerstr. 15 81679 Munchen Federal Republic of Germany City: Munich Phone: 49 89 20805 990 Fax: (+49) 89 20 80 5993 Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 12:00pm Honourary Consulate of Ireland in Hamburg Bernhard-Nocht-Strasse 113 20359 Hamburg Federal Republic of Germany City: Hamburg Phone: 49 40 44186 113 Fax: 49 40 44186 551 Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Honourary Consulate of Ireland in Frankfurt Graefstr. 99 60487 Frankfurt/Main City: Frankfurt Phone: 49 69 977883 883 Fax: 49 69 977883 880 Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm New Zealand's Embassy and Consulates Offices in Germany New Zealand Embassy in Berlin Friedrichstrasse 60 10117 Berlin, Germany Federal Republic of Germany City: Berlin Phone: 49 30 20621-0 Fax: 49 30 20621 114 Email: nzembber@infoem.org Website: http://www.nzembassy.com/germany Normal Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm and Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm New Zealand Embassy in Hamburg Zurich Haus Domstrasse 19 20095 Hamburg, Germany Federal Republic of Germany City: Hamburg Phone: 49 40 4425 550 Fax: 49 40 4425 5549 Email: hamburg@nzte.govt.nz Embassy and Consulate Information Outside Germany Embassy of Germany in Washington DC 4645 Reservoir Road NW Washington DC 20007 City:Washington DC Phone: 1 202 298 4000 Fax: 1 202 298 4249 Email: info@washington.diplo.de Website: http://www.washington.diplo.de Normal Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, by appointment Consulate general offices are located in major cities and offer full services including consular services. Honourary consulates offer a limited range of services including
consular services. A full list of German consulates in the US can be found
at:https://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__Legal/01__Consulate__Finder/HC/00/__Honorary__Consuls.htm German Embassy and Consulates Offices in Canada Embassy of Germany 1 Waverley Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0T8 Canada City: Ottawa Phone: 1 613 232 1101 Fax: 1 613 594 9330 Email: info@ottawa.diplo.de/ Website: http://www.ottawa.diplo.de/ Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to noon Consulate general offices are located in major cities and offer full services including consular services. Honourary consulates offer a limited range of services including consular services. A full list of German consulates in Canada can be found at:http://www.ottawa.diplo.de/Vertretung/ottawa/en/02/Oeffnungszeiten/missions__Seite.html.