Thank you for your review. Do you know if things have improved by now in 2016 with this program concerning the things you wrote about?
Best,

Geri

I am currently working for this company which is has now replaced the english in action program with something similar called Active English weeks. The school occasionally appears disorganised to teachers on the ground but this is more to do with the inherently chaotic nature of slovak buraecracy.

Slovakia is an extremely poor country with a quarter of the population living on a post tax income of 150 euros. Most Sidas teachers earn between 400 and 1000 euros a month depending on hours worked. I can be contacted by samgbennetts@gmail.com if anyone has further questions.

All staff are on contracts unless they specifically decline them and some longer term staff have permanent contracts with associated health care benefits. I think it is a matter of personal opinion and career teachers or those looking for a high standard of living or consistentcy should probably not work for Sidas or any other company in Eastern Europe.

Slovak culture is disorganised and improvisational and many towns lack anything but the most basic workers hostels - I think this is a fantastic job for people looking for an adventure or an opportunity to see a beautiful country from the back streets. I am aware that some people do not enjoy the experience but to be honest I think that is more to do with them not liking Eastern European wages, culture and accomodation than any flaw on the companies part.

Disclaimer: I posted this here on my own intiative and recognizance, I was not asked to post this by my employer and this is not an official communication on their behalf - I am posting it because I am enjoying my job and look forward to meeting anyone who reads this and wants to come and join me!

In response to MR or MS XXXXX,

Reading all of your communications with David, you said that you would be in Slovakia and would meet him at his location, so that is probably why he told you he is close to the centre. Also it is normal for schools to call potential candidates, and as schools work with budgets it is also normal for them to ask for a land line number to reach you on, as land line to land line calls are cheaper than international mobile to mobile calls. Also when you search for the management of most schools very little comes up, these people are not celebrities, if you searched on google for the branch manager of Barclays Bank in Huddersfield, how much information would you get?

As for Derek, well I can understand his concern, I have been in and out of central Europe for several years, pretty much every school even much bigger ones pay in cash, unless the teacher wants to go and set up an account at his own expense, the two accounts I have had in Slovakia and the Czech Rep have proven to be a waste of money. I am not saying he was wrong to turn down the chance, but I can say I have worked for about 8 schools in the area, including English in Action, and my time with English in Action was one of my favourable experiences. Firstly the guy who pays, David, travels the country to meet his teachers and give them their wages. Teachers work a month in hand, so lets set the record straight Derek, my friend. If you begin on May the 14th, your salary for May (14th to last working day) is given to you in cash or through the bank, no later than the 20th of June, I worked in Berlitz a few years ago, began on the first of October and my first pay came in December. I will happily discuss with you the failings of the school and its problems (and other schools I've been with), but I don't wish to sit here and read nonsense about it. He also has never (from what I know about) failed to reimburse a single travel ticket. The lack of contracts probably comes from his background, he worked as a teacher for many years for different schools without one, but a colleague asked for one and got one straight away. I can't speak for the other people, but my experiences were great.

Sure sometimes the accommodation was a little bit dissappointing, but the next week it was fantastic. They are up front about the shortcomings of the job, they are up front about the short comings of the program. Derek when every week you have a different set of kids, a different level of ability and different ages, how can you have one set curriculum?

To the other person who criticised life in Slovakia, obviously you know little about the actual market, and your racial remark maybe somes you up quite well. Slovakia is no Czech Republic, its no Poland, its no Germany and its certainly no China, but there are jobs here offering good conditions for the area, yes for the area. Earning 600 euros a month with free accommodation will allow you a very good life in Slovakia, and neighbouring countries (Austria the exception). Its true that most work can be found either in Bratislava or Kosice, but there are good schools available.

Now, unlike some people on these pages I wont hide behind names and I will leave my mail, if you wish to ask me about the job, do so. It is benjamwirral@yahoo.co.uk if you wish to ask me about other schools in the area then also please do so.

So, basically, everyone, you have to make your own choices, I don't know why some people post messages here when they have no knowledge, I don't know why others don't read their e mails properly. I only know that I have worked for English in Action and while I am sure there are better companies out there some where, this one will give you a great experience and great local conditions. I, unlike many people here, can compare the program to other schools in Slovakia, and remember if you go to work in Slovakia you can not expect a German salary. All teaching abroad jobs have to be taken in the local context.

Get in touch if you want, reply if you know information, otherwise good luck as teachers and have fun in the world.

I have received the following correspondence from English in Action. Any request for an address or phone number is rebuffed. Several email address are offered in their various recruiting postings. The name David Schofield does not reveal much on search engines. The name Ms. Gedrova, also reveals nothing. The request to give a land line phone number comes across as a bit strange. The direction are more than vague..."we are located in Kosice, eastern Slovakia, a few tram stops from the centre of the town."

Any comments or insight is appreciated.

Dear XXXX,

Thank you very much for your interest in working with our program. We are in need of teachers who can begin immediately, as demand for the program has caught us by somewhat of a surprise. This is a position for people who are really interested in seeing a country, improving as teachers, and having a fresh experience every week, as much as it is about earning a huge salary. We pay well and offer good conditions, but still, this is Slovakia compared to most of Europe the living costs are low and the salary reflects this.

That said we provide free accommodation during the working week (Sunday night to Friday morning) and subsidised accommodation during the weekend, as well as pay for point to point travel to each new working location. We also offer short, medium and long term contracts, from upwards of three months. During your time with us you will meet many new people, learn some new things, and have a good, memorable experience. All of our teachers in this program are native speakers of English.

The teaching is generally, six lessons a day, from about 7:45-13:30, with breaks, and normally cheap but quality lunches are available at the schools we cooperate with. These can normally be purchased for as little as two euros a day, which is pretty good for anywhere, for a hot lunch, with soup and main meal.

The starting salary is five euros per class, so normally 150 euros per week. This is after all necessary deductions, so is the money you will be living on. Once you have taught 120 lessons (a months work) your performance is reviewed an increases are possible. Given that your accommodation is covered, and the travel to and from places too, we believe this is a very good salary for the country. There are no paid vacations as this is a position salaried by the hour. The work is guaranteed for all teachers we hire.

We can not pay for travel to Slovakia, but normally affordable flights can be bought from Sky Europe, Ryan Air and Easy jet and so on..

So I hope to hear from you again very soon,

Best wishes

David Schofield
English in Action

Hello David,

I find your reply quite intriging and would like to see if we could arrange a telephone conversation at your convience. The date or time is immaterial since I am not working at the moment and can freely adjust to your schedule. Also note that I am in Europe. I check this address daily, so if you are in agreement please send a phone contact, date and time.

Thanks for contacting me and I look forward to your positive response.

Best wishes
XXXX

Hello XXXX,

Sure we can arrange a phone conversation. Our office manager, Ms. Gedrova usually handles them as she is a non native, it is sometimes better. Whereabouts are you in Europe right now, and do you have access to a land line number? She could call you tomorrow afternoon between 12 and 14:00.

Best wishes

David

Hello David,

Being Easter I did not see your response until just now, 13:15 Monday April 6. I will be happy to speak with you or Ms. Gedrova today. However I do not have access to a land line. I would like to suggest sending me your phone number or better still, I will be happy to come to your location since I will be in Slovakia next week to visit friends...anytime around the 15th of April is good. If all works well, I can start right away.

XXXX

Hello XXXX,

Ok, the better still option is the best...so next Wednesday, we are located in Kosice, eastern Slovakia, a few tram stops from the centre of the town, if you could come for sometime in the morning, between 9:00 and 11:00 it would be best.

Looking forward to meeting you,

Best wishes

David