TEFL in Romania: an interview with a teacher who has taught in the capital Bucharest

Have you ever considered teaching in Romania?  Here, teflhub interviews Peter, a British teacher who has been in Romania for over three years. We discuss some of the most common questions raised about life for TEFL teachers in this fantastic country over a meal of venison in a sour cherry sauce and baked trout at the fantastic Rosettya restaurant near Universitate Metro station.

1. Am I right in thinking that Romania has changed a lot over the last ten years?

There have been significant changes in people’s attitudes, particularly the younger, post Ceausescu, generations.  They’re far more open and aware than previous generations. Also, there is a more varied cultural scene and nightlife.  Also, there has been a huge crackdown on corruption over the last couple of years at least. Every week another prominent politician or business person is arrested, which makes one feel, perhaps naively, that things are moving in the right direction - slowly.

2. What drew you to Romania?

I had just finished a contract in London and was itching to go abroad again. At that time,  I didn’t want to go outside of Europe because of family commitments. So, when I saw a position advertised in Bucharest I decided to go for it because I’d never been there before and I’d heard it was an interesting but undiscovered part of Europe.

3. What are the challenges of teaching in Romania? 

It’s about as Eastern Europe as you can get and the culture and values reflect that.  In other words, it can be rather conservative and preserves its traditions, including a strong attachment to the Orthodox Church.  Also, it still has the background radiation from the Ceausescu brand of communism and its collapse. Yet these various cultural influences are not necessarily challenges as such and indeed add to the diversity.  What’s more, young people are helping to drive change and Bucharest is full of university students. One challenge (for English teachers), however, is that they already have a good standard of English!

4. What aspects of teaching in Romania do you really enjoy?

It’s an easy-going environment with intelligent and good-natured people who want to learn.   

5. May I ask if a TEFL teacher’s salary in Romania is sufficient for you to enjoy a comfortable standard of living?

In my case it definitely is because I teach in an international school which also provides a free apartment in walking distance of where I work.

6. Any tips on boosting your career prospects as a TEFL teacher?

It’s often worth taking on some extra responsibilities and also taking any free training  opportunities available.  It’s surprising how often this comes in useful in future posts. 

7. What event or course do you feel has really helped your career along?

I was already a trained teacher back in England but the CELTA was really useful and gave me a much better pedagogical grasp of teaching non-native speakers. it’s important to become TEFL-qualified (preferably with the Cert.TESOL or CELTA), not only because it dramatically improves your job prospects, but simply because it makes you a better teacher.

8. When you go home to the UK, what do you miss about Romania?

Going out is such good value for money and the food is wonderful and fresh  It is also a very safe and civilised place, so you don’t get the drunken, loutish behaviour associated with British drinking culture.

9. You’ve travelled extensively throughout Romania – which are your favourite places in the country?

Bucharest is not the prettiest city I have to admit; Cluj, Sibiu, Iasi, Timisoara and Brasov, to name a few of the more notable cities, are architecturally more impressive. Scenically,  the Carpathian mountains are wonderful, as is the Danube Delta.

10. Do you have any hints on how to save money when living in Romania? 

I think with any unfamiliar place, it’s a good idea to make some local friends who will show you how not to get ripped off.