How to Teach English In Germany

The need for the English language in the world is becoming greater and greater. Germany is no exception and the need for Business English is even larger in Germany than many other countries. If you are considering a career in Teaching English as a Second Language (TEFL), you may have some questions regarding the opportunities and requirements for teaching English in Germany.

Instructions

1. It is important to have a very good understanding of the English language as well as a general love of teaching. Most of the schools who are searching for English teachers require that the teachers have some type of formal education (minimum bachelor's degree) and a TEFL certificate. These can range depending on the length and quality of the course. It is best to do the certificate in a classroom setting, as many employers would like to see that you have had some teaching experience.

2. A general or basic knowledge of the German language is a plus and definitely helpful in many situations, but not always necessary. Some schools even offer discounted or free German classes to the teachers, although teaching English takes up most of your time.

3. If you're reading about the possibility of teaching in Germany and you're a non-EU citizen, you may think that it is not possible to find a position because of legal requirements. You're wrong! Most of the English teachers in Germany work freelance, which has benefits such as flexibility and freedom, and it is actually not too difficult to find a position. The best option is to go to Germany (with enough money saved for about 2 months of living costs) and start to apply for jobs. American citizens are allowed to stay in Germany for up to 90 days without a visa and it is therefore quite easy to move and start looking for jobs from Germany. You may think that this sounds very risky and not worth doing without the security of finding a position beforehand, but it is quite simple to find many jobs. I applied to about 40 schools or so around the entire country and heard back from about 25 of them. Your best opportunities are probably in the older Eastern half o the country, since many of the people working grew up in the former GDR and Russian was taught in the schools. The level of English in the western part of the country seems to be considerably higher.

4. After finding a position, it is a matter of obtaining the correct legal documents to work in the country including the 'Aufenthaltserlaubnis' (residency permit). It is best if you can find at least two schools who are willing to employ you as a freelancer and give you a letter to give to the 'Ausländerbehӧrde' (immigration office) so they know that you have got a contract with some schools. The immigration office will also need to see a copy of your bank statement, (to be sure that you have enough money to support yourself during your time in Germany) a copy of your rent contract, your passport, and your city registration form. It is best (if you're not fluent in German) to bring a native speaker with you to help to translate.

5. Finally, you will need to go to the 'Finanzamt' to obtain a 'Steuernummer' (tax number) and be sure to keep all of your receipts!