If you’re a creative writing teacher looking to expand your curriculum or a writer looking for inspiration, then you’ve probably considered teaching in Europe. After all, the continent is rich in culture and literature, and there are plenty of students looking for innovative courses. However, the truth is that teacher training in Europe is very specific and can be quite challenging. In this post, we’ll discuss what training as a creative writing teacher in Europe is like and how to become qualified to do so.
The Master’s Degree
One of the first things you’ll need to do before you can start teaching is to attain a Master’s degree in creative writing or literature. Even if you have a degree in English already, you’ll need to take additional courses to boost your qualifications. The good news is that there are many universities in Europe that offer Master’s degrees in creative writing and literature. You can also find a variety of online masters degrees from any university in Europe. If you’re teaching at the secondary level, you may also consider studying for a PGCE (primary school teaching qualification in England). In Finland, you’ll need to study for a Master’s degree in English lit, creative writing, or linguistics. In Iceland, you’ll need to study for a Master’s degree in English, with a specialty in literature or linguistics. For more information on what to study, consult a specialist in European studies, who can help you choose a course that suits you best. With a Master’s degree in hand, you can contact universities in Europe to see what teaching positions are available.
The Professional Doctorate (PhD)
If you’d like to teach at the tertiary level, or you’ve been teaching for a while and feel you’ve achieved a certain level of expertise, then you can apply for a PhD. A PhD will give you the opportunity to research and write about a topic of your choice, extending beyond the curriculum you’ve already covered in your bachelor’s degree. Some of the options available to you are:
- Modern Literature
- Philosophy of Literature
- Creative Writing Theory
- Comparative Literature
- Applied Linguistics
- Film Studies
- Digital Humanities
- Postcolonial Literature
- Film Appreciation
- Research Methods and Writing
- Linguistics and Literary Theory
- Digital Publishing
- Teaching English as a Second Language
As you can see, there are many options available to you when it comes to pursuing a PhD. If this is something you’re interested in, then do your research and find out what’s available in Europe. For more information on how to apply for a PhD, visit the relevant professional bodies or educational publishing houses for guidance on what to study. With a PhD in hand, you can then go about applying for teaching positions in Europe. Once you’ve been employed, you can continue to develop your expertise and earn several thousand Euros a month. A life of luxury awaits you in the EU.
The Specialization
After you’ve been teaching for a while and feel you’ve developed enough expertise, you can begin to specialise in a particular area of literature or creative writing. Once you’ve completed a certain number of courses in a specific area, you’ll be able to apply for a professorship in that field. The best way to do this is to first gain a Master’s degree in the area, as this will give you the prerequisite courses you need to apply for a professorship. Once you’ve been employed as a creative writing professor, you can then begin to specialise in a particular area. If you feel you’ve outgrown your current position and want to be placed in a different country or with a different teaching team, then this is an option available to you. If you decide to pursue this option, then make sure you contact universities in your field to find out what teaching positions are available. Doing your research into the various EU universities will give you an idea of what courses are available and whether or not you’ll be able to find the necessary training to proceed. If you decide this is the option for you, then take your pick from the list of possible fields below:
- Modern Literature
- Philosophy of Literature
- Creative Writing Theory
- Comparative Literature
- Applied Linguistics
- Film Studies
- Digital Humanities
- Postcolonial Literature
- Film Appreciation
- Research Methods and Writing
- Linguistics and Literary Theory
- Digital Publishing
- Teaching English as a Second Language
At this point, you might be wondering about the various online degrees available. You can attain an entirely online PhD in either English literature or creative writing. As a creative writing teacher, you’ll need to register with the University of North London to be able to teach English as a second language. The University of North London provides exceptional teaching and has an excellent reputation, so it’s well worth considering. If you decide this is the route you want to take, then visit their website to find out what courses they offer and to register for the next intake.