Europe
A Guide to Teaching English in Europe
The use of English as the international language of business has led to an increasing demand for English teachers across Europe. From Prague to Paris and Madrid to Moscow, there are ample opportunities for qualified TEFL teachers. But competition for TEFL jobs in many parts of Europe is high, so if you plan to teach here you should take either our 120 Hour TEFL Course or 140 Hour TEFL Course to stand out from the crowd.
TEFL Job Hotspots in Europe
Here’s our pick of the top five TEFL job destinations in Europe. Each country offers a different insight into European life and culture, and they all have large and established TEFL job markets.
TEFL Jobs in Spain
In Spanish schools English lessons are mandatory. Good English is seen as such a key skill that many children take extra English lessons at privately-run Academia de Inglés. While you’ll need advanced qualifications and many years’ experience to find work in state-run schools, the Academias often employ less experienced teachers. It’s also worth thinking about teaching private English lessons.
TEFL Jobs in France
The French government insists that French businesses invest at least 1.5% of their payroll in employee training. French employers see the ability to speak English as a key skill for their staff, so a fair chunk of that 1.5% is spent on English language training. This has created a pretty well-developed network of private language schools across the country and they always seem to be on the lookout for qualified TEFL teachers.
TEFL Jobs in Czech Republic
For many years Prague has been the top TEFL destination in Eastern Europe, and this has led to the TEFL jobs market in the city being a little saturated and wages dropping. However, if you’ve got a bit of experience you can still demand decent wages in the city, and if you don’t have much previous experience, head out of the capital and you’ll find similar wages and a much lower cost of living.
TEFL Jobs in Italy
Italian educators and businesses see the ability to speak English as key to better employment prospects, so there are more opportunities to teach English in Italy each year. Many of these jobs can be found in the privately-run language schools that have sprung up in pretty much every town and city.
TEFL Jobs in Greece
While Greece’s economy (and its TEFL industry) has suffered lately, there are still TEFL jobs to be had. Most school children take extra English lessons at private language schools (known locally as frontiseria). When you add that to the fact that many employers look for people who can speak English, you shouldn’t be job-hunting for too long.
Wages and Cost of Living
As with all parts of the world, the amount you can earn in Europe depends on your qualifications, your experience and where you decide to teach English. In major cities, such as Paris and Madrid, you can earn relatively good wages, but you’ll also have a high cost of living. You won’t be able to live like a king by teaching English in Europe, but you will be able to gain invaluable experience and spend time living and working in some of the world’s greatest cities.
