Italy is one of those places that most people will fall in love with the minute that they land on Italian soil. It has a natural warmth and beauty that can only be experienced by an in-person visit. And for many, that first visit results in thoughts of returning, moving or relocating to Italy.

However, the problem for many people is that they would need to find a job in order to pay for the normal day-to-day living expenses. Jobs for Italians are scarce in the land where 20% unemployment is they typical average in some cities. And jobs for foreigners are even tougher to come by unless you have a skill that is in high-demand.

For many, teaching English in Italy is a good way to get your feet in the door, so to speak. If you are a recent college graduate, this can be a great way to gain some valuable experience while traveling the world and learning a new language and culture. This is usually a great time to do it prior to buying a house, starting a family, etc.

But what are the requirements if you wanted to do this?

On my recent trip to Italy I caught up with Frank Adamo, author of the Teach English in Italy guide and asked him about the TEFL certification. It seems that there are a lot of companies that offer these teaching certificates to help you qualify for their jobs. Some of these certificates can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

Mr. Adamo has been teaching English to Italians and Albanians for over 20 years and has extensive first-hand knowledge in this field.

Me: I see a lot of different certifications required when I peruse the web looking for English-teaching positions in Italy. Is that truly required?

Frank: There are a lot of scammers out there that are trying to get your money. They claim that taking their course will get you the job but once you pay for the course and finish the course - the jobs are nowhere to be found! There was never really a job in the first place. The only business they want to do is to sell their TEFL course.

"a certificate from scammers is not going to increase your chances of getting a job" Frank Adamo

Me: So how would someone get started if they want to teach English in Italy? How did you end up in Italy teaching English?

Frank: The best thing to do is to gain some practical experience at home before you depart for Italy. There are now many areas of the United States where people speak another language like Spanish or Chinese that need help with their English. Any type of experience in that regard will look good to potential employers in Italy.

It's also a good idea to do as much online research as possible about your target city prior to leaving. Try to find the classified sites for that particular city. A good Italian classified site to use is www.subito.it.

Another question many people ask is if it is necessary to speak Italian in order to teach English in Italy?

Technically the answer is no. And when conversing with the students, it's probably preferred that you don't speak any Italian. However, knowing a little bit of the language will certainly assist you when you are applying for jobs, looking at online advertisements, etc. And it will also make your stay in Italy a lot more enjoyable.

Another note: If you are an American and plan to stay in Italy longer than 90 days you will need to make sure you have a work-Visa. This can be a time-consuming process. If you are from the UK or any other European Union country, you will also need a work-Visa but in theory it's granted automatically. And of course you will also need to get a "carta fiscale" or the Italian equivalent of a tax identification number.

About the Interviewee

Frank Adamo is an American that has been teaching English in Italy and Albania for over 20 years. For those that are interested in teaching English in Italy you should check out his book which is available on Amazon called Teach English in Italy. You can also find out more by visiting his site www.teachitaly.com.

Even though English is spoken all over the world, it does not mean that it is the most popular language. It is interesting to learn that English is only spoken as a first language by about five percent of the world’s population. It stands to reason that learning a new language can broaden your horizons. You will have access to more career opportunities and personal experiences. It truly does pay to learn a new language. Here are the top five reasons why you should begin your studies immediately.

1. Broaden Your Understanding

When you study a foreign language, you simultaneously learn about a culture that is not your own. You begin to appreciate a culture that you are unfamiliar with. This appreciation leads to a deeper understanding of other people. You begin to empathize with people on a global perspective. It is virtually impossible to learn a new language without dedicating at least part of your studies to the people who speak that language and the culture in which they were raised.

2. Better Your Language Skills

English is your first language, but do you speak it properly? Studies have shown that when people study a foreign language, they almost assuredly develop a broader understanding of their native one. Your English vocabulary and grammar skills will improve through the need to translate words and phrases into another language.

3. Employability

When you learn another language fluently, you automatically increase your employability. Today’s marketplace is a global one. It is no longer enough to work within your own community, state, or even country if you hope to get ahead. If you are looking for employment in today’s economy, learning a second language will give you a leg up. Imagine being able to tell a potential employer that yes, you are bilingual. Knowing a second language can also open you up for promotion and transfer opportunities that would have previously passed you by.

4. Understanding Your Culture

There is often no better way to understand your own culture than to look at it through a fresh lens. When you study another language, and thereby another culture, you gain a different perspective of your own culture. You begin to question things and step outside of your stereotypes. Studying a foreign language is often the best way to develop a deeper understanding of the culture that you were born into. You’ll find your new take on your own culture to be profound.

5. Traveling

There is little doubt that you can hop aboard a plane and travel to another country whether or not you speak that country’s language. You can tour a country hoping to find others who speak your language or find signs written in your native tongue, or you can travel like a local, deeply immersing yourself in the culture of the land. When you encounter a language barrier during your travels to a foreign land, it can be mildly frustrating or it can be dangerous. When you understand the language, you are better able to enjoy your travel experience.

There are a variety of reasons to take the time to learn a new language. Whether you hope to be able to travel to an often dreamt of land or you want to make yourself more employable, learning a foreign language is the answer. Never think that you cannot learn a foreign language as an adult. Research has shown that with the right materials and dedication to study, anyone can learn multiple languages. If you have been thinking of expanding your linguistic skills, there is no better time to begin than today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - THOMAS ALLING

Thomas Alling works as a Project Manager at Argo Internet AS.

He has been working with internet marketing and helping businesses succeed online for roughly 15 years now.

OTHER LINKS OF INTEREST

37 Ways to Learn the Italian Language

Italian Language for Travelers, Tourists and Vagabonds

Alitalia just recently announced some new routes that will offer greater flexibility for travelers going between:

Boston Logan Airport (BOS) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO)

Or

Miami International (MIA) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO)

The Boston to Rome outbound flight will leave at 10:45 PM and arrive in Rome around 12:50 PM in the afternoon.
The Miami to Rome flight will leave at 9:15 PM and arrive in Rome around 12:40 PM.

These are basically "red eye" flights but arrives in Rome with enough time for you to settle in to your hotel or catch another flight to another Italian city.

The nice thing is that it gives you more time during your travel day in the United States to take care of those last-minute details. It'll probably be easier to fall asleep after a couple of hours on the flight and hopefully you'll wake up and be landing in Rome.

The return flights also leave a little later from Rome than normal. The Rome to Boston flight will leave at 3:20 PM while the Miami one leaves at 10:30 AM.

If you are catching a flight from another Italian city taking you to Rome, this will give you more time so you don't need to catch an early-morning flight.

Many times I'll take the flight from Palermo to Rome to catch a 9 AM flight back to the United States. That would mean getting up early in Palermo to get to the airport (Punta Raisi) in time for the flight to Rome. This way, I won't have to get up as early.

And if you are going to Boston from Rome, you have the luxury of your flight leaving in the afternoon. You'll just have to check out of your hotel by noon and then head to Fiumicino.

Below is the schedule of the new flights:

I'd like to announce the release of my new book titled:

Italian Language for Travelers, Tourists and Vagabonds

It's an easy-to-read travel guide along with a beginner's course for the necessary Italian that you will likely encounter during your trip to Italy. Knowing a little bit of the language prior to your journey will go a long way in making it a lot more enjoyable and memorable.

Italians are very appreciative of those willing to communicate in their language. You don't have to be perfect, but a little knowledge will reap you many rewards! And this book is designed to do that.

The book is organized in different chapters pertaining to different situations such as:

* Italian for Lodging, Hostels, Campgrounds, etc.
* Getting Around / Transportation Options
* Dining in Italy
* Medical Situations / Pharmacy
* Using the Phone in Italy
* Meeting People
* And more!

*** As always, I also need your help - if you would be willing to leave an honest review on Amazon or on this site, it would be greatly appreciated! I rely on word-of-mouth and reviews to generate sales.

Click on the link below to be taken to Amazon where you can download your copy today so you can start learning Italian!

Click Here to Download your Copy!