Octang Frye

Pillows.

meauxna

I didn't sign up for the Couch Tour.
yet.

Dan725

I have to say I find all these resonses a bit damning here with all this "snowballs chance" stuff.

My cousin, as a fairly junior qualified teacher, was able to spend 3 years in Atlanta on a teachers exchange program due to it being renewed year on year....could have been extended but she wanted to go back.

Now, I know its not a permanent visa, and I have no idea if it can be made permanent, but I don't see any mention of "permanent" in the OP's question.

But these "0 chance, stick it up your hooplah because we've got lots of English teachers" responses are not correct if you ask me....everyone having a bad day or something?

artisanvip

Bluegrass Lass

Well, when you read about teaching jobs being cut out of the local budget, which is becoming common all over the US, why would we say otherwise? If we can't keep teachers we already have working, how could school districts afford to sponsor in somebody? And every teacher I've met, and spoken to, have all said that there is no shortage of English teachers around. Idk, but this is just my 2pence. Perhaps it would be possible for the OP to get here, but I'll stand by my 'slim to none' statement.

Dan725

See, I'm not so sure. These teacher exchange programs are just that - exchanges. Which means, an existing teacher here gives up a slot and goes to the UK, and one comes over. That's how it was with my cousin; they swapped jobs. For whatever reason, as I understand it, she was able extend after her counterpart had come back, becuase other slots in the same institution were also in the program. So it operates independently of the economy; it's not a case of "Having enough already" - because one leaves, one comes in.

Bob

Usually only handy if your already here though rather than sponsoring someone.

If the OP taught maths or sciences, might have more chance, especially of the teacher exchange, but English, that'll be tough going, especially without any experience...

michmel

They are already laying off tons of teachers and more to come next year in many states due to lack of funding, so very much doubt you'll get a visa for this line of work. Believe me you are better off teaching in UK/Europe than here. They get paid peanuts.

YoungSteve17

Well i have heard of it happening, My year 6 teacher Mr.Cobold came here to the US to teach for a little while, so it is possible

Bob

when was that?

Generally speaking, it's been really tough because of the cost and with the number of jobs being lost now it's even less likely.

Englishtart

The thing is though, when did these people do the teacher exchange? If it wasn't in the past year, you have to agree that things have changed since that time... My best friends daughter is an English teacher here in IL, she just finished her first year teaching Nr Springfield, she got laid off about a month ago. She has sent off tons of applications all over IL, no interviews for her yet unfortunately, and she is already here.

Unless the exchange teachers pay all their own expenses, why would schools spend money on this, if there are so many teachers already here looking for slots? My Son's school recently had an opening for an English teacher, my friends daughter, plus around 850 other teachers applied for that position! This school pays teachers very well compared to others, but still, if there are that many going for one job........

YoungSteve17

This would of been in 2001 when i was in year 6. As a matter of fact my first year in American school i met a substitute teacher from Ipswich, England !!!He even said he lived on the same road my family once lived!!!

I recall him saying something about him moving to California to be a doctor or something. I'm 100% not sure it was nearly 5 years ago

Patrick Hasler

As 90% of Americans need to learn English I would say get yer ass over here and start asap

YoungSteve17

And maybe a few history and geography teachers ??

Dan725

My cousin did her exchange 2004-2007. I agree, economy on both sides of Atlantic changed since then and no doubt these sort of exchange programs will be suffering a bit as they might be seen by bean counters as unnessecary.

But I feel still a more viable way/option of coming over than a lot of people have.