There is some bitterness about starting at the bottom of the ELT ladder in a new country. Italy makes it a bit sweeter by offering its characteristic hospitality, good food and beautiful scenery, but make no mistake; it‘s still the bottom rung and you‘ve got a lot of climbing to do. Push on towards your goals. But don’t be surprised if… 

1) You feel stressed. Your boss is the picture of serenity. You’re expected to drive in heavy traffic or take the train for 25 minutes and be punctually prepared every time, even if your boss is always downstairs in the coffee bar, outside smoking a cigarette and unfailingly 20 minutes late on arrival.  It’s quite probable you won’t be reimbursed for travel costs, and that you will go out of your mind trying to find paid parking within a three-block radius of a centrally-located school. 

2) You‘re struggling to pay rent. Your boss is living in the lap of luxury. You’re expecting your first month’s compensation, and your boss doesn’t pay up.  Usually, it’s with the excuse of needing a bit more time or only being able to give you a fraction of what you’ve earned.  You’ll probably be paid eventually, but there’s no telling how much time you’ll have to wait before the money’s in your pocket.  Meanwhile, your boss arrives daily wearing new designer clothes and accessories and goes to the aesthetician three times a week. 

3) You‘re “in the dark“. Your boss is “in the know“.  Communication can be difficult for those who teach English in Italy.  Being able to understand and communicate in the Italian language is not a discrepancy. Unless someone takes the time to explain “the way things are” in simple terms, you will probably be groping around in the dark for awhile.  Your boss may speak quickly or use gestures and dialect, and may not be sensitive to your linguistic disadvantage.  Be prepared to feel a bit out of the loop until you start to catch on.   

Italy is full of surprises, so go easy on yourself.  Here’s some advice that will make your first ESL teaching experience in Italy easier:

 Ÿ         Go online and do some research on your chosen schools.

Ÿ         Pick a school that has plenty of free parking nearby or find an employer that is willing to contribute to your commuter expenses. 

Ÿ         Check the school’s reputation, and the director’s reputation before accepting a job. (Talk to the other teachers, the coffee bar owner downstairs, the shops nearby.)

Ÿ         Learn intermediate Italian and practice it daily before attempting an ESL teaching position with a private school.  Don’t accept a job teaching English in Italy with a private school unless they offer a valid contract.