Freelance English teacher contract question

Hi All,

I have recently moved to Frankfurt and am thinking of taking a job as a freelance English teacher. The company requires all freelancers to sign a one year contract. (I haven't seen the contract yet so I am not certain of the precise terms). My question is, how binding are these contracts? Am I really committed to a full year of teaching with this company, or if I find a better position is it possible to get out of the contract? What is the standard requirement of notice for leaving a job in Germany?

To me, freelance means that I should be able to separate from the company at any time, but I'm sure it is dangerous to assume that the rules are the same here in Germany. I would really appreciate any advice that others with more experience.

Thanks!

I think you need to take a very close look at the contract BEFORE signing anything!

It's strange to get a contract like that for freelance work unless the company guarantees hours/work. Normally there is no guarantee and you can work or not work as you like and they can give you work or not as they like. The contract will be as binding as it says it is, but generally freelance work isn't very binding. It is totally normal to take the contract home to think about it overnight. Don't let them tell you otherwise. Plead ignorance or insist on not signing any contracts in any language before reading them. Whatever you do don't sign it if you can't read it. Some language schools are terribly slimey, unfortunately. There will be a clause in the contract as to how to quit your job - if it's not there then yes, you need to complete the year, but that's highly unlikely. The standard notice to give, in my experience, is one month, starting at the beginning of the following month. So if you give notice on the 15th of November, your last work date would be December 31st. Be careful about giving notice on the 1st of the month, they may split hairs and make you stay a full 2 months. It sucks but it is this way and you new employer will be fully aware of this condition.

Good luck!

I think they are chancing their arm. Do not trust language schools.

Caveat Subscriptor

The law of contracts in Germany is very clear and rigid.
Language schools are notorious for taking naive native speakers for a ride.
Be very careful.
Get a Lawyer to check - it could be that the contract is unenforceable
if it tries to limit your rights as guaranteed by German law - which is
astoundingly generous to the Employee by UK standards.

I could go on hours about freelance ESL positions in Germany, and how this is one of the top 3 worst countries to be an English teacher in the world, but I won't. I'll be brief:

- It smells fishy. If they refuse to give you an English copy, run. German contract would still be the legally binding one, though.
- Google the school's name and add the word "sucks" to your search. ESL teachers talk, and we like to share our experiences online. That's how I avoid unpleasant surprises with potential ESL pimps (that is what they really are).