English degree/Musician employment?

[shevchenko_1]

Hi there. Thanks for this portal - it seems like a good resource.
I'm hoping to come to Helsinki in a few months to settle with my Finnish girlfriend. I've tried already to settle in Tampere but I couldn't find enough work. I studied an intensive Finnish course but, I have to admit, I found it difficult. Basically, I wondered if anyone had any advice on whether my chances might be better in Helsinki.
I have an English degree and I'm also a semi-professional, reasonably experienced musician. I'm not too sure what I'd be best doing. I've done plenty of gigs before and I also thought maybe I could do an M.A. of some description. I've heard it can be difficult to get on to a course though and that it can also over-qualify you for jobs - is this true?
I was also wondering if a TFEL qualification would be useful, but it seems English is already so well spoken in Finland anyway, I don't know if there's a demand. If it was useful then I'd do the course here in England before going.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

[Rosamunda]

Right now it is difficult to say how much work is available in TEFL. Things have been fairly buoyant but my guess is that a lot of companies will cut back on their training budgets. OTOH, in Helsinki there is more public sector work. As you may have read on here, most schools do not hire permanent language teachers; they expect you to work on a freelance basis (at least in the beginning). This means juggling your hours and working with several different employers. Or you can set yourself up as a sole trader and look for teaching hours without going through the schools (eg if your girlfriend has some good contacts). You could also try finding music tuition work. You would have to get a alternative work for June, July, August since the teaching dries up in the summer.

I think language schools are always interested in graduates with either experience or a teaching qualification. When work is plentiful they will hire anyone with a pulse but when things slow down a bit then they can afford to be picky. Many of the teachers I know are also studying. And some have non-teaching jobs to supplement their income.

Another possibility would be getting something like a PGCE and looking for work teaching in a high school or an IB school where Finnish is not necessarily a requirement.

There are no CELTA/DELTA or similar courses in Finland. So you would have to do your certificate in the UK before coming here, if that's the route you choose.

[shevchenko_1]

Thanks a lot Penelope. It's very good of you to offer me this sound advice. I'll keep trying to find new avenues....
It's looking like I'll do the Tfel course here in the UK. Hoepfully that coupled with my English degree should get me some work. I think the music tuition might be out though. I'm quite an accomplished musician but I don't have any music theory as I learnt by ear so I don't know how far I could go with this....
Many thanks. Any more suggestions gratfully accepted!