| 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:
|
Bulgaria |
|
Capital city |
Sofia |
|
|
Language |
Bulgarian |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Lev (2.2 Lev = $US1) |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
US$150 - $200 |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Sofia |
|
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. |
|
Czech Republic |
|
Capital city |
Prague |
|
|
Language |
Czech |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Koruna (Crown) (40 Koruna = $US1) |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
15,000 Koruna |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Prague, Brno |
|
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. |
|
Hungary |
|
Capital city |
Budapest |
|
|
Language |
Hungarian |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Forint (300 Forint = $US1) |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
1,700 Forints per hour |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Budapest |
|
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. |
|
Poland |
|
Capital city |
Warsaw |
|
|
Language |
Polish |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Zloty (4.5 Zloty = $US1) |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
2,500 Zloty per month |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Warsaw, Wroclaw, Krakow |
|
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. |
|
Romania |
|
Capital city |
Bucharest |
|
|
Language |
Romanian |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Romanian Lev |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
US$120 |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Bucharest, Timisoara |
|
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. |
|
Baltic
States |
|
Capital city |
Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia |
|
|
Language |
- |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
- |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
$700 per month |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius |
|
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. |
|
Ukraine |
|
Capital city |
Kiev |
|
|
Language |
Ukrainian |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Hryvnya |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
US$400 |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Kiev, Odessa |
|
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. |
|
Slovakia |
|
Capital city |
Bratislava |
|
|
Language |
Slovak |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Crown (50 Crowns = $US1) |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
14,000 Crowns per month |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Bratislava, Kosice, Banska Bystrica |
|
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. |
|
Russia |
|
Capital city |
Moscow |
|
|
Language |
Russian |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Roubles (28 roubles = $US1) |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
US$800 per month |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Moscow, St Petersburg |
|
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. |
|
