Peter Beech was born in Bristol, England in 1963. He has a BA in Philosophy & French from Sussex University and an MSc in Teaching English from Aston University, England. He came to Greece in 1987.

Anglo-Hellenic Teacher Recruitment
We have dozens of vacancies throughout Greece for newly-qualified and more experienced teachers. We provide detailed information about conditions of employment, and we draw up the contract between you and your employer, ensuring you get a fair deal.

Training
We collaborate with City College Manchester to provide teacher training courses at our school in Corinth. Our certificates are recognized by the UK Department for Education and Employment.

Support
We are always available to help and advise you. We have a network of teachers throughout the country, and organize social activities so you are never lonely.

We are teaching professionals with fifteen years' experience in Greece. All our services to teachers (but not training courses) are free of charge.

Guidelines for prospective teachers
Qualifications
You must be a British or Irish citizen
You must have a degree
TEFL Certificate preferred, but not essential
Working Conditions
Many of the positions we offer are in Athens, a cosmopolitan city. Others are in provincial towns, in villages or on islands. You will choose what kind of place you prefer to live and work in. In a typical situation, you would expect to teach twenty-five hours per week in a small, privately owned English school. Each class would be composed of about ten students, mainly teenagers. You would live in a flat provided by the school owner, and your salary would be sufficient to live well by local standards and to enjoy getting to know this beautiful country in your spare time.
Remuneration
£300 - 600 according to experience - a good salary in terms of the low cost of living in Greece
National insurance for health cover and pension
Paid holidays - 2 weeks Christmas, 2 weeks Easter
Bonuses at Christmas and Easter
Free self-contained furnished accommodation

Visit us on the web at www.anglo-hellenic.com

E.mail: beech@otenet.gr

moderator (ID=144) (Jun 22, 2000 5:14:28 PM)
On behalf of TEFL.com I'd like to welcome Peter Beech of Anglo-Hellenic Recruitment, Greece.

moderator (ID=144) (Jun 22, 2000 5:15:28 PM)
(e.mail question)
I have taken a break from TEFL but have a diploma and have been a DOS. I have expertise in business and finance. What opportunities exist in Greece where TEFL/business skills could be combined, either in ESP teaching or school management?

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:16:22 PM)
There are some opportunities to take on positions of responsibility

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:17:04 PM)
for business English, but in general you need to gain experience of teaching in Greece first

Effie (ID=142) (Jun 22, 2000 5:15:51 PM)
Is employment possible for non-EU citizens.

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:19:29 PM)
Employment for non EU citizens is very difficult, but people with Greek parents can get the necessary papers quite easily

ph (ID=143) (Jun 22, 2000 5:15:57 PM)
Peter, could you please tell me briefly what the cost of living is in Greece in comparison to the South East of England?

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:17:32 PM)
Cost of living is much, much lower.

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:18:16 PM)
A small flat costs about 60-7 pounds per month, you can eat out for 2 or 3 pounds

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:18:33 PM)
there are more examples on our website

moderator (ID=144) (Jun 22, 2000 5:19:08 PM)
(e.mail questions)
I would like to know if it is at all possible to teach English in Greece without having a degree. I have recently completed a Trinity TESOL course and am now living in Greece. I would like to find work here if possible, whether it be as a teacher or as a teachers assistant. I have contacted a few schools and they said they wouldn't consider me without a degree although one school said it was experience they were looking for.

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:20:36 PM)
The requirement for a degree is stipulated by the Education Ministry. It's not legal to teach without one, and only a cowboy would employ you

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:22:29 PM)
Most people starting out now have a Certificate, but I think personality and potential are equally important

Janet (ID=145) (Jun 22, 2000 5:21:39 PM)
I have heard that life, values and attitudes in Greece are similar to those of the Middle East. Would you agree?

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:23:18 PM)
Janet, I can't really say as I don't know so much about the Middle East. I think people here are very human and warm

gvitale (ID=141) (Jun 22, 2000 5:23:12 PM)
I have a PhD (Eng. Lit) and have been specializing in teacher training, alongwith teaching grammar and business English. Took retirement to freelance and write- have worked in many countries. Am interested in regular 3-month engagements. What are the chances?

gvitale (ID=141) (Jun 22, 2000 5:23:47 PM)
(I have been to Greece by the way- so know roughly what to expect - but no experience of Greek schools

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:24:33 PM)
Gvitale, you would probably find it difficult to attain the level appropriate to your qualifications unless you were prepared to make a long-term commitment

ph (ID=143) (Jun 22, 2000 5:24:56 PM)
Peter my husband is a Greek national although has lived in Britain for 30 years and is fluent in Greek, I have a BA degree in Humanities and would like to teach English in Athens but I don't speak Greek, would this initially pose a problem? My husband is a Chartered Civil Engineer with a masters degree in management, would he be able to teach Business English?

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:25:45 PM)
ph, there's absolutely no need to speak Greek

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:26:23 PM)
There aren't so many opportunities to teach business English - the great majority of the teaching here is with children

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:28:56 PM)
There are some lucrative possibilities for corporate training, but that sector is very hard for newcomers to break into

Rik (ID=147) (Jun 22, 2000 5:25:09 PM)
Are there residential summer teaching posts available for someone like me - an 20 year old undergraduate of German who has the CELTA qualification?

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:26:55 PM)
Rik, until you finish your degree, you can't work as a teacher.

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:27:10 PM)
We could perhaps place you in a summer sports camp

gvitale (ID=141) (Jun 22, 2000 5:25:48 PM)
That wouldn't matter- my retirement pay carries me for the basics - it's the pleasure of teaching and living (preferably on an island) that attracts me!

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:28:14 PM)
gvitale, I certainly agree with you about the lifestyle

gvitale (ID=141) (Jun 22, 2000 5:29:31 PM)
I wa in Japan 2 years ago- in a "juku" - irt was really great- made such a change from the ivory towers of the university!- 25 hours a week, split shifts!!!

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:30:16 PM)
Yes, we tend to work long hours. Minimum 18 contact hours per week, average 25

ph (ID=143) (Jun 22, 2000 5:29:55 PM)
Peter, I have 2 children under five who I will need to send to school, what are the public schools like outside Athens, but within Attici compared to Britain.

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:30:58 PM)
ph, you mean state schools?

ph (ID=143) (Jun 22, 2000 5:31:40 PM)
Yes state schools

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:34:19 PM)
At the age your kids are now, though, they're fine. Our oldest is 8, and I'm really happy with his school -we live in a village

Janet (ID=145) (Jun 22, 2000 5:31:25 PM)
Do you prepare many students for the Cambruidge exams. i understand that there is an enormous market over there.

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:32:14 PM)
Janet, yes, there is a huge emphasis, especially o the FCE, and we have a strong washback effect from that

Janet (ID=145) (Jun 22, 2000 5:33:13 PM)
Yes, I can appreciate that so it really will have to have an ionfluence on content

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:33:19 PM)
Outside the city, there are a lot of nice areas, but in genaral the state education system is very old-fashioned, with a lot of rote-learning.

Rik (ID=148) (Jun 22, 2000 5:32:41 PM)
Where can I find out more information on 'sports camps'?

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:34:38 PM)
Rik, if you send me an email, I'll give you details

Janet (ID=145) (Jun 22, 2000 5:35:19 PM)
Are there any teacher training opps in Greece

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:36:09 PM)
There are a lot of teachers who need training, but the organisations who provide training employ very few people

moderator (ID=144) (Jun 22, 2000 5:36:34 PM)
(e.mail questions)
Im interested to know what the general age of students are/what level of english , and if employment is considered to those with a tefl qulaification/eu citizenship and no degree.

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:37:18 PM)
In general, students here are at a higher level than their peers in most other countries.

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:37:30 PM)
Although I think Spain is similar

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:37:50 PM)
So they tend to take the FCE around 13-15 yrs old

Janet (ID=145) (Jun 22, 2000 5:37:17 PM)
Is CELTA big out there?

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:38:11 PM)
CELTA is big, as is the Trinity TESOL

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:41:02 PM)
There are far fewer Dip. level teachers in Greece

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:41:32 PM)
but I think MAs are becoming increasingly popular

Rik (ID=148) (Jun 22, 2000 5:37:31 PM)
Next year I'll be working in Austria as an English assistant on the British Counsel's Central Bureau Assistantship scheme. Will this work count as the teaching experience that is so often asked for in job advertisements?

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:39:52 PM)
Rik, yes. all experience counts even teh 6 hours tp on the CELTA

ph (ID=143) (Jun 22, 2000 5:37:40 PM)
Peter, thank you for your reply, we are considering moving to Kalamos near Oropos, and would like to send our children to local schools, you are satisfied with the standard of teaching is your child's school private or state? Because salaries are lower in Greece it may not be possible for us to send our children privately.

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:38:43 PM)
Our children's schools are state

gvitale (ID=141) (Jun 22, 2000 5:39:08 PM)
Thanks for the information-- cheers, Geoffrey Vitale

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:40:06 PM)
Bye gvitale

ph (ID=143) (Jun 22, 2000 5:41:36 PM)
Peter, I am seriously considering teaching English in Greece but my major concern is schooling for my children, is there a web site I can visit for further information?

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:43:04 PM)
ph, I don't know of any website, but if you send me an email, I'll look into it for you

Rik (ID=148) (Jun 22, 2000 5:41:45 PM)
Would you suggest Greece as a country to teach in for a new teacher, and if so why?

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:43:14 PM)
Rik, yes, definitely

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:44:02 PM)
It's a great place to begin, because enthusiasm and talent are valued as much as qualifications and experience

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:44:42 PM)
It's close enough to the UK to be managable, but different enough to be exotic

moderator (ID=144) (Jun 22, 2000 5:42:24 PM)
(e.mail questions)
What kind of opporunities exist for teaching English in Greece for the mature entrant to the profession (over 50 and recently qualified)? What advice would you give?

Janet (ID=145) (Jun 22, 2000 5:43:30 PM)
I have heard that RSA NVQ programmes have taken off in Athens. Is this the case and are there opportunities for RSA assessor s/tutors?

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:45:45 PM)
Janet, there are opportunities but we don't recruit for them, so I don't have detailed info

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:47:20 PM)
I believe that the TOEIC is being promoted for the first time

Rik (ID=148) (Jun 22, 2000 5:45:00 PM)
Can it be as idyllic as it sounds: living and teaching on a Greek island?

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:46:36 PM)
I came here 15 years ago, when I finished university, and I've loved every minute of it

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:45:57 PM)
Rik, yes it can be

Rik (ID=148) (Jun 22, 2000 5:46:35 PM)
How long are teaching contracts on average?

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:47:40 PM)
Contracts are Sept -June, renewable

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:48:08 PM)
We also have vacancies in Jan, again finishing June

moderator (ID=144) (Jun 22, 2000 5:48:13 PM)
We also have vacancies in Jan, again finishing June

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:49:19 PM)
Many of our recruits come with the intention of staying one year, but others stay for a lifeltime

Janet (ID=145) (Jun 22, 2000 5:48:52 PM)
Thanks Ptere, you have been most helpful, gotta go bye!

Rik (ID=148) (Jun 22, 2000 5:49:04 PM)
Is there a major downside to teaching in Greece?!

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:50:20 PM)
Rik, the major downside is that the pay is very low by UK standards, bt as we said the cost of living is also very low, so you can live very well while you're here

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:51:15 PM)
We try to look after our teachers, not just in terms of their contractual entitlements, but in terms of social aspects, professional; development ,etc

ph (ID=143) (Jun 22, 2000 5:50:36 PM)
Peter, I have a degree in humanities (History, English, Philosophy etc.) Would this type of degree be sufficient or would I need an additional certificate?

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:51:33 PM)
ph, as long as you have any degree, that's fine

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:52:21 PM)
There ae also lots of places in Greece where you can do a cert.

ph (ID=143) (Jun 22, 2000 5:53:04 PM)
Peter, thank you very much for your replies, very much appreciated, I will contact you by e-mail for additional info regarding schools.

moderator (ID=144) (Jun 22, 2000 5:53:22 PM)
OK folks, many thanks for your input and a special thanks to Peter..

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:53:26 PM)
Great,thanks for coming

Peter Beech (Guest) (ID=136) (Jun 22, 2000 5:54:23 PM)
It's been a pleasure to talk to you

Please note that for clarity, this transcript has been sequenced and edited.