Work placements on offer in Hungary and Poland
Released: 6 December 2007
Wolverhampton City Council is giving people the chance to travel to Eastern Europe to help teach English to youngsters.
People who successfully complete the Cambridge Teaching Knowledge Test course in teaching English as a second language will be guaranteed a paid work placement in Hungary or Poland.
They will work with teachers at primary or secondary schools in the Kobanya district of Budapest or Walbrzych in Poland, helping educate spoken English to youngsters aged from eight to 18.
The scheme is being run by the city council’s Adult Education Service and Councillor Neville Patten, member champion for European and international affairs, said: “This is a wonderful chance for people to not only pass on their skills to youngsters but also discover more about these fascinating countries, which joined the European Union in 2004.
“The scheme is very successful – three people who went on it previously are now teaching with the Adult Education Service while one enjoyed Hungary so much they decided to stay out there to carry on teaching.”
He added: “I would encourage anyone who has ever thought about teaching English as a second language to take advantage of this great opportunity.”
The course starts in February with sessions on Tuesday evenings and the occasional Saturday until the end of May. Placements, which last for five months, begin in September.
Funding comes from the Leonardo da Vinci Project, which has already helped a number of people from Wolverhampton spend time teaching in Kobanya and Walbrzych.
Bruce Parsons, who is leading the project for the Adult Education Service, said: “People taking the Teaching Knowledge Test course will have the opportunity to learn Hungarian or Polish to help them make the most of their placements.
“Accommodation is free with no bills to pay. Participants also receive a monthly travel pass, insurance, free flights and a monthly allowance of 450 euros.
“Most of those taking a placement enjoy it so much that they go on to take a Postgraduate Certificate in Education with a view to becoming teachers.”
For more information on the scheme, contact Bruce Parsons via e-mail at bruce.parsons@aes.wolverhampton.gov.uk or call the Adult Education Service on 01902 551532.
Issued by the press office.