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Issue 8 | August / September 2016

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Teflers opt to remain in the EU

riday 24 June started early
for many people – it was
Fthe day of the EU refer-
endum result. Awake since the
small hours, EU citizens on the Claudia Civinini finds that British teachers working in Europe intend to stay on after Brexit
islands of the UK and British cit-
izens on the continent of Europe
were united by the same worried which could have a great impact nationals to apply for UK citi-
question: what now? on professionals who, like him, zenship for their children born
The same uncertainty affects travel around Europe to speak in the EU. She’ll do that for
the ELT industry both in the UK at conferences and run teacher her 12-year-old son, so he’ll
and the EU. But while infor- training sessions. All three teach- have the option of studying and
mation about the referendum ers said they wouldn’t move back working in the UK in the future.
result’s possible damage to the to the UK and are prepared to ‘Whether it will still be attrac-
ELT industry in the UK is already apply for citizenship in their cur- tive to work and study in the UK
plentiful, the consequences rent country of residence. in the future, I don’t know,’ she
within what remains of the EU What problems will face UK commented. ‘Probably not.’
are not yet clear-cut. With free- teachers in the future? Is there a silver lining to the
dom of movement between the Brexit will cause a headache Brexit cloud?
UK and Europe now potentially for teachers that are just ‘trav- With the pound falling in
curtailed, how will the landscape elling through’, said Corinne value against the euro, a brief
of the industry change for Brit- – possible future visas will ‘Brexit bounce’ is anticipated
ish teachers working in the EU? make temporary teaching within UK EFL, but there’s no
We asked three such teachers much harder. Kieran hinted at silver lining at all for Kieran:
what changes – and challenges a less concrete difficulty, as ‘Brexit is a disaster for the UK
– they envisaged in the futures: UK nationals working in the on many levels – financially,
Corinne from Berlin, Lucy from EU may encounter more nega- socially, culturally and edu-
Amsterdam and Kieran from tive attitudes. ‘The reputation of Copyright Matt Salusbury cationally.’ Corinne said that
Barcelona. the UK as a progressive, toler- there could be a silver lining for
No one was expecting the ant and meritocratic society has Europe, but not necessarily for
result, although they all had the been irredeemably damaged in Britain, while Lucy responded
feeling that it would be close. the eyes of the majority of EU CLEAR MESSAGE The principle of the Free Movement of People will be the trickiest issue with what many secretly wish
Corinne said that, apart from citizens. Many of them will now in Brexit negotiations. Show here is post-Brexit graffiti in London’s Stoke Newington for: ‘It might never happen?’
her pension having lost quite see Britain and British people As we went to press in early
a lot of value – and having to as more insular, intolerant and with the British accent could the EU and this will raise the EU citizens can no longer freely August, William Hill, the UK’s
face persistent questions as to small-minded.’ play a part in this, but it’s not the standards of the industry. Lucy study or work in the UK, their biggest chain of bookmakers,
why the Brits decided to vote Browsing expat teachers’ only element. Kieran believed also saw a beneficial effect on motivation for studying English had just cut its odds on the UK
out – she doesn’t see any other blogs, we found that many were it was unlikely that UK work- the ELT industry in Europe, as will be gone,’ he commented. still being in the EU on 1 Janu-
effect at the moment. Lucy also worried that it would be more ers would need a visa to work in more students could choose to What piece of advice would ary 2020 to only 6/4 – you’d
said that it was difficult to judge difficult for UK teachers to find the EU – however, Maltese and study English in other European they give to other UK teachers win less than one and a half
at the moment – however, she a job in the EU after Brexit as, Irish teachers will surely gain countries instead of applying working in the EU? times your money if you won
also commented that the ref- if they eventually need a visa to more popularity, along with non- for a visa for the UK. Kieran Wait and see, said Lucy. After such a bet. So UK-based book-
erendum has put a lot of stress work there, they will lose their native speaker teachers from argued that, although Brexit will all, as Kieran put it, the ramifica- ies at least regard Brexit never
on herself and her fellow teach- advantage over, for example, US other EU countries. have a more dramatic impact on tions of Brexit for UK nationals actually happening as a feasible
ers due to the uncertainties they or Australian teachers. What will Brexit mean for the the ELT industry within the UK, working in the EU won’t be scenario. n
face. Kieran pointed out some of Our teachers didn’t seem to ELT industry? its influence will be also felt in clear for some time. However,
the bureaucratic difficulties that be worried about that. Both According to Corinne, since the remaining EU in some parts they should be prepared for any Thank you to: Kieran
UK nationals may encounter in Corinne and Lucy pointed out teaching while travelling will of the private sector – while eventuality. How? Apply for Donaghy (www.film-english.
the EU after Brexit: diminished that some students prefer and become more difficult, only students will continue learning citizenship of the country where com), Corinne Wilhelm (www.
access to public health care and of actually actively seek teachers professional, qualified teachers English at school, adult learn- you live and work. Corinne also bytesizedenglish.com) and Lucy
course the end of free movement, from the UK – the fascination will be able to work legally in ers might be less interested. ‘If said it would be wise for UK Burns (www.bltc.nl)

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