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Eastern
Europe
The transition to a market economy in many parts of Central and Eastern
Europe has resulted in a huge demand for English language teachers, particularly
in the business sector. There is plenty of scope for working in almost
every country and employment possibilities are numerous and equally open
to every native speaker of English (though this may change when some of
the nations in this region become full members of the EU).
Finding work in some of the ex-USSR republics can be more problematic
for political and economic reasons.
The one drawback is the level of salary. These are mainly developing countries
and salaries are very low in international terms. However, the cost of
living is also very low and most teachers are able to enjoy a comfortable
lifestyle but saving money is not very likely. The countries in which
the majority of EFL opportunities exist are detailed below:
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Bulgaria
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Capital city
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Sofia
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Language
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Bulgarian
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Currency and exchange rate
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Lev (2.2 Lev = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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US$150 - $200
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Major TEFL locations
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Sofia
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TEFL job prospects
Political change in Bulgaria has perhaps been less dramatic than
elsewhere in the region and as such the private sector is still
relatively undeveloped. This means that the vast majority of teaching
positions are in state schools and native speaking teachers are
employed through the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science.
Salaries, as elsewhere in the region, are low as is the cost of
living.
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Czech Republic
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Capital city
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Prague
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Language
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Czech
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Currency and exchange rate
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Koruna (Crown) (40 Koruna = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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15,000 Koruna
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Major TEFL locations
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Prague, Brno
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TEFL job prospects
The Czech Republic is probably the most popular country in the
region for qualified EFL teachers. Work is quite easy to obtain
and salaries, while not being of a high level in international terms,
offer a reasonably comfortable lifestyle. Any teacher with a TEFL
certificate should have little problem in finding work. The beautiful
city of Prague is particularly popular.
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Hungary
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Capital city
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Budapest
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Language
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Hungarian
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Currency and exchange rate
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Forint (300 Forint = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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1,700 Forints per hour
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Major TEFL locations
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Budapest
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TEFL job prospects
Like other countries in the region there is a strong demand for
qualified TEFL teachers in Hungary, particularly in the capital
city. It is estimated that there are over 100 private language schools
in Budapest and over 300 in the whole country. Anybody with a TEFL
certificate should be able to find employment quite easily.
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Poland
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Capital city
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Warsaw
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Language
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Polish
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Currency and exchange rate
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Zloty (4.5 Zloty = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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2,500 Zloty per month
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Major TEFL locations
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Warsaw, Wroclaw, Krakow
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TEFL job prospects
Prospects for English teachers in Poland remain probably more promising
than anywhere else in the world. There are numerous possibilities
in both state and private sectors. There is also a high demand for
business English in the major cities. The salaries usually allow
for a relatively comfortable standard of living but if you are aiming
to save money this (or anywhere else in the region) is probably
not the place for you.
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Romania
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Capital city
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Bucharest
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Language
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Romanian
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Currency and exchange rate
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Romanian Lev
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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US$120
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Major TEFL locations
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Bucharest, Timisoara
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TEFL job prospects
Due to the weak state of the economy, many Romanian schools are
unable to afford the wages of a native speaker teacher. As a result
most English language teaching is done by Romanians or native speakers
on voluntary work placements. A number of private language institutions
have started to appear and they would most likely be willing to
hire native speaker teachers for local salaries.
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Baltic states
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Capital city
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Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia
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Language
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-
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Currency and exchange rate
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-
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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$700 per month
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Major TEFL locations
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Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius
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TEFL job prospects
These states were the most westernized part of the old Russian
Empire and are presently looking towards EU membership. This has
created a strong demand for native speaker teachers, particularly
in Lithuania and Estonia (probably the most progressive of the three).
There are numerous openings in both the state and private sectors.
Salaries again are low by international standards but high in regard
to the cost of living. Qualified teachers who are prepared to travel
to the region and look for work should have little difficulty.
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Ukraine
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Capital city
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Kiev
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Language
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Ukrainian
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Currency and exchange rate
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Hryvnya
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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US$400
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Major TEFL locations
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Kiev, Odessa
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TEFL job prospects
The huge republic of the Ukraine has a chronic shortage of English
teachers. Many placement organizations are able to send voluntary
teachers on a local salary and a few private language schools have
now opened. The EFL market is still very much in its infancy so
prospects for motivated teachers are high.
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Slovakia
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Capital city
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Bratislava
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Language
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Slovak
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Currency and exchange rate
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Crown (50 Crowns = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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14,000 Crowns per month
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Major TEFL locations
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Bratislava, Kosice, Banska Bystrica
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TEFL job prospects
The Slovak Republic has often been overlooked as a teaching destination
in favor of the neighboring Czech Republic. However, Slovakia is
in its own right a promising destination for EFL teachers. Opportunities
exist predominantly in private language schools, of which there
are many in the larger cities.
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Russia
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Capital city
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Moscow
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Language
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Russian
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Currency and exchange rate
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Roubles (28 roubles = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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US$800 per month
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Major TEFL locations
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Moscow, St Petersburg
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TEFL job prospects
The demand for the English language is still increasing in Russia
and qualified EFL teachers should have few problems in finding work.
Salaries have decreased a little due to economic problems but still
allow the teacher a comfortable standard of living in most cases.
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What
is TEFL/TESOL ?
