Teaching English in Pistoia, Italy
Report submitted on 20 October, 2014 by EJ Brown.
Teaching English in Pistoia, Italy:
How can teachers find teaching jobs in Pistoia, Italy?
Private schools or start up small groups at home or in centres.
The main English teaching jobs available are:
Full time English language school positions, private teaching (not through a school, agency, etc.).
What are the minimum teaching requirements?
Some schools don’t even ask for the TEFL.
What teaching requirements would you recommend?
Although some schools don’t ask I think it’s best to have at least TEFL as some schools ask for it.
What are the levels of payment?
€15 per hour.
How many teaching days a week is normal?
5 days per week.
How many face-to-face teaching hours a week is normal?
20-25 hours per week.
What is the normal arrangement for holidays?
Monthly contracts so Christmas holidays are paid for but usually nothing from July to October.
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Pistoia, Italy to teach English?
Learn some Italian before you come as Italians really DON’T know much English. In places like Milan it is easier to find jobs. Schools like WALL STREET often have vacancies and are a good starting point. Look on websites such as tefl.com.
What are the positive aspects of teaching English in Pistoia, Italy?
I enjoy it because you meet lots of interesting people.
What are the negative aspects for teaching English in Pistoia, Italy?
The pay and conditions are rarely great.
What are some of the teaching challenges for English teachers teaching the local people in your area?
The people don’t feel able to learn English. It’s a dreadful throwback from school.
Living in Pistoia, Italy:
Are there any visa or other legal requirements to live in Italy?
For EU citizens it’s much easier. I think things have changed now and you must go to the ANAGRAFE to get documents to stay in the country.
For non-EU citizens it’s harder.
What is the cost of living like in Italy?
Not too expensive.
What are the usual accommodation arrangements and how can you find accommodation?
Sometimes with school or look for accommodation in a shared house with students if in a university town or city.
Other than teaching, what positive aspects are there for living in Pistoia, Italy?
Tuscany is beautiful and it’s easy to travel to other parts of Italy from here.
Other than teaching, what negative aspects are there for living in Pistoia, Italy?
People tend to be quite closed, although they do love English speaking foreigners so it’s not too bad.
It is very culturally different here compared to most Anglo-Saxon countries.
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Pistoia, Italy to live?
Try your best to integrate and don’t worry too much about the cultural differences. You learn to love their peculiar ways.
They really need good English teachers particularly for children as schools generally don’t teach English well.
What things do you miss most (other than family and friends) from your home country?
Nothing else.
What things would you recommend to new teachers in your area to bring with them from their home country (e.g. things that are difficult to get in your location)?
If you like cooking some ingredients are hard to come by unless you live in a city.
What do you think you will miss most when (or if) you leave Pistoia, Italy?
I can’t imagine ever leaving. I love the food and the outdoor way of life here too much.
About Me and My Work:
My Name: EJ Brown
Nationality: English/Italian
Students I’ve taught in Italy: Babies (0-2 years), toddlers (2-4 years), pre-school / kindergarten (4-6 years), elementary (6-12 years), junior high school (12-15 years), high school (15-18 years), adults, business.
Where I teach: British School in Pistoia and also private teaching. Working here for 12 years.
How I found my current jobs: tefl.com.
My school facilities: Adequate: There is a lack of certain material and space for children in particular
Teacher support at my school: None.
Do you teach English in Italy?
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