Italy is without doubt one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, as well as a top location for teaching English abroad. Whether it is the cuisine, art, history, or fashion that draws you, or any of its many other charms, Italy also offers plenty of teaching jobs in many different environments. However, due to its wide appeal you will often find the competition for jobs is strong in the most popular areas such as Florence and Venice. If you want to head to one of these cities you might find that you need some previous experience to be in with a good chance. First time teachers typically start out in one of the big cities such as Rome or Milan as the numbers of jobs available are far higher than elsewhere.
What can I expect to earn while teaching English in Italy?
The average salary for TEFL teachers in Italy ranges from around 1,000 to 1,500 euro per month, depending on the location and the individual employer. The highest salaries are often found in Rome and Milan, while the number of jobs and the average pay decreases in many parts of southern Italy. However, the cost of living is also significantly less in many areas outside the big northern cities, which means the lower pay is often balanced out. If you have a TEFL certification and some previous experience you can expect to earn a higher salary than teachers with no specific teaching qualifications or relevant experience. It is common practice for teachers in Italy to top up their income by taking on a few private students in their freetime. A typical hourly rate for private tutoring can range from 15 to 30 euro.
What type of employer will I work for while teaching English in Italy?
Jobs within the state school system are a popular option as the pay and working hours are generally favourable when compared to many other teaching positions. Unfortunately, jobs in this sector are relatively few in number and require a good standard of Italian language skills. The most likely employer for most teachers is a private language academy. A TEFL certificate is typically required for these positions, although some schools have their own training system for new teachers before they are let loose in the classroom. A typical working week in a private language school will involve around 20 to 28 teaching hours, with evening and weekend work commonly expected. Jobs in this sector generally pay by the hour and the rate is often lower than other types of school. On the plus side, jobs are plentiful and readily available at most times of the year.
What other employment options are there for TEFL teachers in Italy?
As well as state schools and private language academies, you will find a significant number of opportunities in the field of business English teaching via private companies. Many universities offer assistant teaching positions in their language departments and English summer camps are a popular choice for teachers who want a short-term contract during the school holidays. As there is a good choice of job options available in most popular areas, teachers generally have little trouble finding something to suit them during their stay in Italy.
How does the cost of living affect TEFL teachers in Italy?
The relatively high cost of living in many parts of Italy can be an issue for some teachers. However, if you have a full-time teaching job and are able to find a few private students to tutor outside of your normal working hours, you should be able to live a comfortable lifestyle. As with many parts of the world, accommodation is the biggest expense for most teachers in Italy and unlike some other destinations housing is rarely included in a teaching contract. A comfortable apartment can be found for around 400 euro a month in some smaller towns and cities, although this figure could be double that in more popular areas. To lower the impact of housing costs, most teachers share with other teachers or rent a private room from a family in the local area.
