Teaching opportunities?

[Markmywords]

Hello all

I'm a UK male, 34, considering moving to Finland for a life change. I currently work as a uni lecturer (for past 3 years) and have previously spent a year teaching English as a foreign language in Europe (I have a TEFL cert). I'm educated to doctorate level and teach in areas of environmental science/physical geography/surficial geology. Lecturing jobs in Finland seem hard to come by so am considering other options.

I'd be really grateful for any advice on teaching possibilities and competition for those positions in e.g. International Schools, Lukios (? correct - the A-level equivalent, 16-19 yrs). Would I need a special teaching certificate? I have a 'teaching skills in higher education' certificate (3 month course done in UK). I could teach Geography and English. With regards the Lukios, I have no Finnish skills but would be willing to learn Perhaps there are other foreigners who have learnt Finnish and found teaching work later down the line?

Thanks for any help you can give

Mark

[Zwagger]

Hello Mark,

Well i am not sure what is out there for you, but i know many members of this forum will give you a guide.

But do you have any other reason for moving to Finland?

[Rosamunda]

I don't think geography is a particularly popular subject at lukio level. My son (currently in lukio) tells me that in his school there are very few taking it.

If you want to teach in English (using English language textbooks) in a lukio then you should take a look at IB World Schools. There are several in Finland and they teach the IB diploma curriculum in English. Not sure if they all offer geography as a subject though.

You should also take note that many teachers (especially the foreigners) are paid by the hour (tuntiopettaja) so if you ONLY teach geography you might struggle to get enough hours together to live comfortably.

High school subject teachers would normally have a masters degree in the subject they teach so a TEFL cert is probably not enough to teach English in a lukio (even a DELTA is probably not enough, even in an international school...)

As for learning Finnish... becoming fluent enough to actually teach in Finnish takes years and years. I do not know any foreign-born teachers who actually teach in Finnish though I know a few who speak Finnish quite well and work in bilingual or international schools (but teach in English).

If you want to look at lecturing, then you could think about taking Haaga Helia's vocational teaching certificate http://www.haaga-helia.fi/en/school-of- ... -programme

[Markmywords]

Hi Penelope

Thanks for your useful response. I checked the IB schools in Finland and you are correct they do not seem to offer Geography... It's ok, good to know the situation anyway.

Cheers

Mark

[Markmywords]

Hi zwagger - no there is no other reason for wanting to come. I've lived there a while back for a few months and really enjoyed it. Best, Mark