COUNTRY GUIDES: ESTONIA

Estonia is far more than a cheap destination for a weekend getaway. Its position on the borders of the Soviet and Nazi empires led to repeated losses of independence: creating a nation familiar with struggle, but with a strong spirit. There are ample remnants of the Soviet era to see, while the German influence is equally evident in the hearty fodder and the beautiful medieval buildings of Tallinn.

Car is an excellent way to travel the country, and the bus and rail networks are extensive – they’ll take you to drinking spots in old towns and beauty spots on pristine beaches – and best of all, they’ll do it cheaply.

TEFL in Estonia (Contracts, Salary, Work)

Demand for teachers

High

Main TEFL regions

Tallinn

Busiest TEFL periods

September-June

Contract lengths

10-24 months

Types of teaching

• Private language schools: General English, Business English, FCE, CAE, IELTS

• Universities: General English, IELTS, FCE, CAE

• Primary & secondary schools: General English, English for Young Learners, PET, FCE

Accommodation

This is usually supplied by your employer.

Flight reimbursement

Bonuses and flight reimbursement aren’t common.

Currency

Estonian Crown (Krooni) - (EEK)

Symbol: kr

Salary

Estonia doesn’t tend to attract highly-qualified TEFL teachers, so salaries are relatively low but livable: expect to earn about 3000Kr (€1,074) per month. However, you can boost your earnings by doing private tuition.

Taxes

Income tax has a flat rate of 22%.

Cost of living

The cost of living here is among the lowest in Europe. A liter of milk will cost about 8kr (€0.80), a monthly public transport ticket is about 125Kr (€9) and a beer in a bar will cost about 30Kr (€2)

Potential to save money

Although the cost of living is low, salaries are equally low, so you won’t have much chance to save money.

How much TEFL training is recommended?

The TEFL market is the most developed of the Baltic states, so most employers will expect a TEFL qualification such as those offered by us.

Common teaching conditions

You’ll usually be expected to work for about 25 hours per week.

How do I find work?

ILS is the best-known private school in Tallinn and is a good place to start your job search. Other schools advertise mainly through the internet.

Can I find work while in-country?

This is the best option: there are plenty of schools in Tallinn, and the low cost of living means you won’t break the bank while you’re looking for a job.

What is the usual hiring process?

If you apply from abroad, big schools such as ILS will interview you over the phone. If you apply once you've arrived, you’ll be interviewed in person.

Is a work visa required to find paid work in Estonia?

EU nationals simply need a work permit to get a job here, but if hail from live outside the EU you’ll have to get a visa, too. Both of these are usually arranged by your employer – which is great because the process is complicated and lengthy.

Work Visa requirements:

• Job offer

• Valid passport

• Health insurance certificate

• Proof of funds to cover living costs

Why Choose Estonia?

• Beautiful cities and rich history

• Lovely countryside and beaches

• Low cost of living

• Lots of jobs

Be Aware…

Watch your bag when you’re walking around – pickpockets are common in Tallinn’s old town.

Before you go

Read this…

The Czar’s Madman by Jaan Kross – excellent book about a man investigating the nobleman who married his peasant sister.

Watch this…

The Class – this excellent, brutal drama about bullying in an Estonian high school is worth searching out.

A Few Fun Facts

• There are 1,400 lakes and 1,500 islands within Estonia’s borders.

• Estonia shares the same national anthem as Finland!

• There are some very strange words here, such as Tööööööbik (workaholic) and Hauaööõudused (horrors of the night)!

• Estonia’s independence from the Soviet Union is known as The Singing Revolution, partly because of spontaneous singing that uplifted demonstrations against Soviet rule.