| 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. |
|
