CETP is not financially supported by any institution, foundation, or grant-making organization; nor does the program receive financial assistance from any Central European government, or charge any fees to host schools. Therefore, to offer teacher placement and support services, we must charge a fee to participants.

We are focused on providing a valuable service to our teachers and our schools, and our fees simply reflect our operating costs, nothing more. Although unfortunately we cannot offer anyone a "free ride," we try very hard to make the program affordable to qualified applicants in special financial circumstances.

We welcome you to take a look at fees for similar programs which provide a significant amount of support in the host country (Transitions Abroad magazine, and Susan Griffith's book Teaching English Abroad, are both excellent places to start). Once you research work abroad programs, we're sure you'll feel that CETP's prices are highly competitive and are among the least costly. You will also find that, with our 19 year successful track record, CETP provides stellar services and peace of mind for the money.

Lastly, some applicants with a talent for fundraising have been successful at attracting donations towards some or all of the placement fees. There are literally thousands of organizations in America (and other English-speaking countries) with strong ties to Central Europe and a desire to help schoolchildren there. For applicants willing to do the research and the cold calling and the networking, the financial rewards can be well worth the effort.

For more information about our fees, be sure to scroll down and review the chart of program fees, towards the bottom of this page.

This is a valid question, with several related answers.

1. Peace of Mind (the "insurance" angle). It might help to think of teaching in Europe through CETP along the same lines as buying car insurance or health insurance. CETP provides three tiers of support for our teachers:

-The assistance of our US-based home office. Once we receive your application, we'll discuss placement options with you, locate appealing vacancies in your first choice host country, and help you narrow your search. When the time comes, we will arrange for your work visa to be issued by the host country's government.

-Your English-speaking local contact person at your host school. Your contact person will pick you up after orientation, help you get settled in your town, and will act as your personal translator when you need to set up a bank account, visit the doctor, register at the police station, etc.

-And, perhaps most importantly, our country directors remain in contact with you throughout your stay and, and will act on your behalf if an issue arises between you and the school that needs to be settled. Whether it's a health emergency, a personal crisis, or just a mid-year teaching slump, your country director is there for you, day or night, providing you with as much personal and professional support as you need.

But don't just take our word for it! If you want to talk to someone about what it's like to teach abroad through CETP, we will be happy to provide you with email addresses of current and former teachers.

And, to hear the pros and cons of going it alone and to talk to people who have arranged their own teaching placements around the world or have worked with other placement firms, we invite you to begin your research at Dave's ESL Cafe. Talking to as many current and former TEFL teachers as possible will help you determine the level of support you need when teaching abroad, and will put CETP's costs and services into perspective for you.

2. Location (the "curse of the non-EU passport holder" angle). In the early 90s, we all heard about backpackers just showing up at schools in Central Europe and being offered ridiculous local salaries for minimal teaching duties, but those days are LONG gone. If you are a US or Canadian citizen and want to teach in Europe but don't have a European Union passport, we don't want to sound harsh, but good luck!

When it comes to ESL teaching jobs, EU countries (to include Hungary) are required by law to give preference to EU applicants (generally British teachers of English), and the red tape involved is enough to discourage most schools from wanting to hire non-EU citizens. Consequently, there are very few legitimate placement firms which can find full-time, paid employment for Americans in Europe, Western or Central.

Can Americans find under-the-table TESL work in Europe? Yes, sometimes, as long as you don't mind not having job security, legal status, health insurance, a normal teaching timetable, or a steady paycheck! CETP is proud to be one of the few programs that can get you a "real job" in Europe, with all the rights and perks you deserve (paid vacations, health coverage, and paid, rent-free summers off for two-year teachers... and more!). Again, Dave's ESL Cafe is an excellent resource for more information on the TEFL job market for non-EU citizens.

3. Financial Reality (the "Central Europe is NOT Japan" angle). To be blunt, if you want to earn a magnificent teaching salary, Central Europe is not the place to go. Hungary is not as wealthy as many other EFL teaching destinations, and our host schools simply cannot offer you a salary similar to what you might earn in the US, or in Asia. However, your CETP salary will provide for all your living expenses, and some local travel.

In addition, teaching for a school-year in Central Europe can offer you the chance to travel extensively in Europe, and to experience a foreign culture as a resident rather than as a transient. You can also learn one or more new languages. You can increase your knowledge of Central European history, politics, folklore, and customs. You can internationalize your resume. You can relax and enjoy yourself in a somewhat less materialistic and individualistic society. You can shape your own once-in-a-lifetime experience. Although you won’t become rich, during your time in Central Europe you’ll be showered with memories to last a lifetime!

• Paid full-time teaching placement, September to June
  
• Full health insurance through host country
  
• Airport pick-up in host country
• Detailed information to help you prepare to live and teach in your country of choice
• In-country orientation session
  
• Furnished housing, primarily in Soviet-style flats
  
• Utilities (except phone and Internet service)
• Social events and teacher training classes
  
• Monthly teachers' newsletter
  
• Ongoing support from Director in host country, and from Program Director in US

• Work visa fee though it is usually waived for CETP applicants. ($0 - $180, depending on country)
  
• Airfare to and from Europe (call us for price details).

Program Fee
This fee covers CETP's job placement services, and all of CETP's services to you during your first school-year of teaching with us.

Cancellation Fee
The cancellation fee is covered by the applicant forfeiting his or her enrollment fee, or forfeiting $500 from other fees already paid to CETP.

Placement Extension Fee
This fee covers all of CETP's services to you during your second school-year of teaching with us.