|
Western
Europe
A lot of teachers initially gravitate to Europe as it provides less culture-shock
and offers reasonable salaries and working conditions. Europe is fairly
diverse when it comes to job prospects and teaching experiences. With
the advent of the EU labor law it is now difficult (and is some cases
impossible) for teachers who don't hold an EU passport to get working
visas in some countries. This doesn't mean that it's difficult or impossible
to find work, just to get your official papers in order. However, with
the ridiculous bureaucratic requirements, still in place in some EU countries,
even EU passport holders give up on getting work visas! It will certainly
be easier if you are a citizen of an EU member state but it is not an
insurmountable problem if you aren't.
|
Austria
|
|
Capital city
|
Vienna
|
|
|
Language
|
German
|
|
Currency and exchange rate
|
Euro
|
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary
|
18 euros per hour
|
|
Major TEFL locations
|
Vienna
|
|
TEFL job prospects
Most teaching in Austria is done by freelancers, working on a self-employed
basis, who are already resident in the country. Most of this teaching
is to the business community. A speculative job search may produce
results but certainly isn't guaranteed to do so. Most work is in
the capital and salaries are quite high but then again Vienna is
a very expensive city.
|
|
Belgium
|
|
Capital city
|
Brussels
|
|
|
Language
|
French and Flemish
|
|
Currency and exchange rate
|
Euro
|
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary
|
16 euros per hour
|
|
Major TEFL locations
|
Brussels and other major cities
|
|
TEFL job prospects
As with Austria most teachers are employed on a freelance basis
and the work is primarily geared towards business English. There
are many private language schools in the major cities and qualified
EFL teachers should be able to find suitable work. Salaries are
sufficient to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, providing you can get
enough hours.
|
|
France
|
|
Capital city
|
Paris
|
|
|
Language
|
French and Flemish
|
|
Currency and exchange rate
|
Euro
|
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary
|
16 euros per hour
|
|
Major TEFL locations
|
Paris and major cities
|
|
TEFL job prospects
France is a very promising destination for a qualified EFL teacher.
There are positions available in most major cities but the vast
majority of work is in Paris. Language schools in Paris cater primarily
to teaching business people and any previous knowledge/experience
of business is useful. France also seems to be one of the easier
EU countries for non-EU passport holders.
|
|
Germany
|
|
Capital city
|
Berlin
|
|
|
Language
|
German
|
|
Currency and exchange rate
|
Euro
|
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary
|
2,000 euros per month
|
|
Major TEFL locations
|
Berlin and other major cities
|
|
TEFL job prospects
As in many other European countries teaching business people is
one of the major options. There are many jobs available throughout
the country and a teacher with a TEFL certificate would have few
problems in sorting out employment. Salaries are high and so is
the cost of living. Germans tend to have a preference for American
English and so opportunities also exist for North Americans despite
Germany being a major player in the EU.
|
|
Greece
|
|
Capital city
|
Athens
|
|
|
Language
|
Greek
|
|
Currency and exchange rate
|
Euro
|
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary
|
800 euros per month
|
|
Major TEFL locations
|
All large cities
|
|
TEFL job prospects
There is a huge demand for English in Greece and a vast amount
of private language schools to cater to that demand. Most teachers
will find themselves working for one of these language schools.
Teaching is more geared towards younger learners but there are teaching
possibilities in all areas. The cost of living in Greece is low
and the salaries reflect this. A university degree is essential
and any teacher who has a degree, TEFL certificate and an EU passport
will have no problem in finding work. Other nationalities may encounter
more problems due to EU regulations.
|
|
Italy
|
|
Capital city
|
Rome
|
|
|
Language
|
Italian
|
|
Currency and exchange rate
|
Euro
|
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary
|
1,000 euros per month
|
|
Major TEFL locations
|
All cities
|
|
TEFL job prospects
The current job opportunities in Italy for TEFL teachers are numerous.
In some cities there are more jobs than teachers, while in other
parts of the country the prospects are still good. In virtually
every city in Italy a qualified TEFL teacher will be able to find
a teaching position. Many teachers really enjoy the lifestyle that
Italy offers even if the salaries are fairly low in relation to
the cost of living. As Italy is an EU country work prospects favor
British and Irish citizens, though there are literally thousands
of Americans teaching there too.
|
|
Portugal
|
|
Capital city
|
Lisbon
|
|
|
Language
|
Portuguese
|
|
Currency and exchange rate
|
Euro
|
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary
|
1,200 euros per month
|
|
Major TEFL locations
|
All large cities
|
|
TEFL job prospects
Most teachers seem to agree that Portugal is a very pleasant place
to work. Salaries are good in relation to living costs and the lifestyle
appeals to many. Plenty of work is available to EU passport holders
and the situation here is also easier for non-EU passport holders.
Most work is with younger learners in the larger cities.
|
|
Scandinavia
|
|
Capital city
|
Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway
|
|
|
Language
|
Various
|
|
Currency and exchange rate
|
Various
|
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary
|
Mixed but quite high
|
|
Major TEFL locations
|
Capital cities
|
|
TEFL job prospects
One thing that all Scandinavian countries have in common is a very
good standard of English. The state school system in these countries
is very good and so there is little demand for EFL teachers. Finland
is possibly the exception as there are significant numbers of language
schools looking to hire native speakers. Some limited opportunities
may exist elsewhere but they are few and far between. Salaries are
quite high for Europe but so are expenses.
|
|
Spain
|
|
Capital city
|
Madrid
|
|
|
Language
|
Spanish
|
|
Currency and exchange rate
|
Euro
|
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary
|
1,000 euros per month
|
|
Major TEFL locations
|
All major cities
|
|
TEFL job prospects
Spain is a very popular location for English teachers. Its lifestyle
and climate are probably the main reasons for this. Another reason
may be the easy availability of work for qualified EFL teachers.
Teaching is often to younger learners but also adult and business
English teaching form a significant proportion. There are literally
thousands of language schools in the larger cities all of which
employ native speaker teachers. Unfortunately Spain is one of the
more difficult countries for non-EU passport holders.
|
|
Others
|
|
Capital city
|
Andorra, Cyprus, Malta, former
Yugoslavia
|
|
|
Language
|
Various
|
|
Currency and exchange rate
|
Various
|
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary
|
Varies but usually below average for Europe
|
|
Major TEFL locations
|
Larger cities
|
|
TEFL job prospects
There are limited work possibilities in these countries. States
of former Yugoslavia offer perhaps the greatest range of possibilities.
|
|
What
is TEFL/TESOL ?
