Greece!!

[locondro]

Hi everybody!

Me and my girlfriend are planning to move to Greece in a couple of months but, since Greek schools do not really advertise vacancies until last minute...we're still in the dark.

Is there anybody out there who can give us some information, and/or contacts? We're thinking of Athens, (despite not being too fond on pollution and noise...) as we reckon there will be more chances there (true or false?)

I am an ESOL tutor with experience in the UK, and I am an Italian native speaker, so I would be looking for both English and Italian teaching roles. My girlfriend is an ESOL lecturer/Course organiser, looking for more of a managerial role, like director of studies or similar.

Another thing; I have worked in Greece in the past, and my girlfriend has been there a couple of times on holiday, and we both love it to bits but... We have a little concern. She is British born and bred, but she has a muslim name (and obvious indian looks...). Knowing that Greece is not exactly at the forefront for equality and diversity in Europe...well, we are a bit worried she could be discriminated against, professionally and/or personally.

If anyone could illuminate us on this matter as well, we would be eternally grateful!!

Cheers

Enrico

[Peter Greer]

I understand the frustration you have in finding work in Greece. This is not only a problem in Greece, but many European schools. Asian schools and recruiters are really strong in job ads, yet the European side of things is quite different.

Greece is rather a tough market to break into for teachers. So I would strongly advise job seekers to get themselves a TEFL certificate to help their chances.

Your best bet would be to search on schools in Greece and email them direct. To springboard your search, try:

ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

American Community Schools of Athens
129, Aghias Paraskevis St
152 34 Halandri
Tel: 210-6393-200
Email: acs@acs.gr

Byron College
7 Filolaou St
153 44 Gargitos, Gerakas
Tel: 210-604-7722,5
Email: byroncol@otenet.gr

Campion School
Agias Ioulianis
153 44 Palini or
P.O. Box 67484
153 02 Palini
Elementary
Tel: 210-6071-800
High School
Tel: 210-6071-700
Email: dbaker@hol.gr

International School of Athens
Artemidos & Xenias St
145 62 Kiffisia
Tel: 210-6233-888
EMail: info@isa.edu.gr

St. Catherine’s British Embassy School
73 Sophokleous Venizelou Street
141 23 Lykovrissi
Tel: 210-2829-750, 1
Email: info@stcatherines.gr

St. Lawrence College
P.O. Box 70151
166 10 Glyfada
Tel: 210-891-7000
www.st-lawrence.gr

Petrovits Academy
21 Evripidou St
Ag.Demetrios, Lagonissi
194 00 Koropi
Tel: 22910-24083
Email: Petrovits@panafonet.gr

Pinewood International School at Thessaloniki
P.O. Box 21001
555 10 Pilea, Thessaloniki
Tel: 2310-301221
Email: info@pinewood.gr

ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

College Year in Athens
5 Platia Stadiou
116 35 Athens
Tel: 210-7560-749
Email: programs@dikemes.gr

You've just got to go through the numbers now and contact as many schools as you can. Sooner or later you'll get lucky.


The bad news is, if you take a look at American Community Schools of Athens - Employment, it states:

According to the Greek Government regulations concerning the employment of non-Greek citizens (without Greek I.D. card), candidates must possess, and provide photocopy of, the following:

• Valid residence permit (provide photocopy with your resume)
• Valid work permit (if presently employed, provide copy with resume)
• Greek income tax number (AΦM) and Δ.Ο.Υ. you belong to (indicate on your resume)
• IKA Number (A.M.A.) - please indicate on your resume

Now the above list is very tough if you aren't already working in Greece.

Other than that, most schools are regulated by PALSO - a central agency representing schools. I suggest contacting PALSO to find out which schools are hiring. Email: info@palso-chania.gr.

At this stage, I would take any job you can get, and then you can always look around for better or more suitable work once you are settled and with the correct visa etc.

As for discrimination, there is not much you can do about it. Just take it with a grain of salt and accept it. There is equally if not more discrimination in Asia too. We do not live in a perfect world. Good luck with things.