I really value your opinion through being in the industry for so many years.... My background is Digital printing/litho printing/software I.T. etc. but I am thinking of a complete career change teaching English.

I was considering doing TESOL/TEFL/CELTA and before I have undertaken that qualification, I have been researching (before I resign from my current role) in order to see what opportunities are available.

I started looking in Italy, as I have a GCSE in Italian. I thought perhaps teaching in the EU may be a little bit safer to teach in than e.g. Saudi.

However, after I read that you mentioned the Maffia sometimes have a hand in the private schools; I thought to myself "You can't get away from that exhibited in one form or another in Italy!". It will really be a case of choosing the right area and school I suppose and perhaps go via recommendation, if I can find a few?

Do you have any specific recommendations of web sites you have used or where I could start looking please? (I realise this is a difficult question as you are an expert in your field therefore shall not have needed to look at jobs for people just starting out in teaching (like myself).

I teach customers how to use particular DTP software packages and show them how to produce their corporate logos correctly on their lithographic presses, but I do not have any official teacher training.

I started looking in the Yellow Pages of Italy) to look at language schools.

I considered looking in Asia yet, I do want to ideally be in Europe as my Dad is not very well, and I do not want to be too far away in case his condition deteriorates.

This is a big step to take, leaving my current career and any advice is very welcome from yourself or anybody else reading this post.

Many thanks,

Regards,

Lisa