Newbie Would Lke To Know About Working As A Teacher In Bulgaria

Hahaha!  Just checking, for replies to my post and noticed the mis-spell in my 'Subject' - "Lke" instead of "Like"!

Not very good, for someone who wants to be an English teacher!  Well, it was late when I submit it to the 'blog'...that's my excuse, anyway!

Welcome to the forum,
Good luck with your project

Hi Tim,

I'm currently teaching English in the capital, Sofia. Been here since early October. Will pm you to give more details but to cut a long story short it's hard work, the money is good by BG standards, doesn't translate well into currency when you pay a visit back home. It's definitely a good experience though. The Bulgarians are very hospitable and friendly when you get to know them.

Jan

Hi Jan

Thanks for your message

Can I ask you:-

How long did it take you to train, for your teaching English abroad qualifications?

What qualifications did you achieve, for teaching English abroad?

How did you find, your current employment post?

I knew about the money translation aspect of the teaching work but expected it to be reasonably well paid, as far as BG standards are concerned

I have personal links with a Bulgarian family in Asenovgrad and I am in contact with some people from BG, in the UK.  Most of the people I have met, on my previous visits to BG, have been friendly and hospitable, as you say

Grateful for any further information, when you get a moment

Many thanks

Tim

Thanks for the good luck message 'sihemt'

Very kind

I wish you well

It is not usually too hard to find work as an English teacher, or tutor. If you have a cert, that looks great, but even if you don't, you should print out your CV and go, in person, to the English centers around Plovdiv. They often ignore emailed applications, but will give you an interview if you go in person. Without a cert, you can usually become a conversational coach, that teams with a certified teacher. Some centers, like Britannica, will even pay for you to get your certification or expand on it.

The pay without a certification is not as good usually, but it is livable. I think without certification you are generally looking at around 8-12 bgn per class, and with certification you are looking at more around 20. But, don't expect to get a ton of class hours at first.

hello and thanks for sharing. pls i will like to know the necessary qualifications to enable me teach english in bulgaria

Hi olbamsworld. How are you today!!

When I left Great Britain I had my TEFL Cambridge Certificate. (Teach English as a Foreign Language).

I obtained this via a 6 week training period in Greece. The training was quite intensive, and I don’t think I even saw the sea while I was there.

I’ve looked for courses at your location and they seem to be readily available. Although I did not look at any details of them..

I wish you luck for the future…. Mike

Hi olbamsworld

My apologies. I haven't logged in for a few weeks, so hadn't seen your questions

I have still not done, any TEFL/Cambridge Certificate qualifications but as you have seen from another members kind reply, these are the recognised certificated courses, that will assist you in finding enough work to live on, while teaching in Bulgaria

I have been told, there is a possibility that work could be found without qualifications but not enough to make a reasonable living from

If you have further questions or need any other help from me, don't hesitate to ask.  I would be interested to find out how you get on, with any courses you attend

Best of luck

Tim

Dear Tim,
Lke yourself I have a TEFL certificate to teach English. This was used when I first left The UK and went to Austria 10 years ago. But try as I may, I don’t think anyone as ever asked to see my certificate.

I live in Varna now, and there are a couple of companies who specialise in teaching English here. These companies seem to adapt an almost childlike teaching methodology. Basil Fawlty comes to mind.

I know this is a technique often used, but it seems to boarder on being silly, However I presume it works, because they’re in business, and I’m not!!

I just thought I’d share this with you.

Good luck for the future…. Mike   (Joking about Lke)

thanks mike; very helpful

Hi Mike

Many thanks for your reply

Unfortunately, (I wish I did but) I don't currently hold a TEFL certificate.  I would like one though, even if no one asks to see one, for my own peace of mind and satisfaction

Can I ask you, how did you introduce yourself to the companies, specialising in teaching English in Varna?  Did you write to them, contact them by telephone or do a walk in, at their premises?  I just, need a couple of strategy idea's, for contacting the language schools around the Plovdiv area

Also, could you tell me, is the remuneration you receive from the language schools, sufficient to live reasonably?  It looks like, you have been teaching for a while, so you must be fairly happy with things as they stand

Any info. or idea's based on your experience, would be most appreciated

Cheers