With a growing demand for English and a low proficiency score, Kyrgyzstan has a range of opportunities for qualified teachers. To help you get started, we've broken down everything you need to teach English in Kyrgyzstan - from requirements and salary expectations, to visa requirements and more.
Key Takeaways
- Kyrgyz and Russian are official languages in Kyrgyzstan, and English proficiency is low.
- Teachers generally need a TEFL certificate and bachelor’s degree to teach in Kyrgyzstan.
- English teachers in Kyrgyzstan can earn around с40,000–с131,150 ($455–$1,500 / £340–£1,110) a month, or more at prestigious international schools.
- Most teaching jobs are at private schools, international schools, universities, and summer camps.
- Teachers need a Unified Work Permit to work in Kyrgyzstan legally.
- Most school jobs are in Bishkek, the capital, or Osh, to the south - but low-paying or volunteer roles exist in rural areas too.
Requirements for Teaching English in Kyrgyzstan
To teach English in Kyrgyzstan legally, you’ll need to get a visa. And to do that, there are a few requirements you'll need up front first. Employers in Kyrgyzstan can be quite strict, so make sure you're clear about what they're looking for. Here's a snapshot:
Do I need a TEFL certification to teach English in Kyrgyzstan
Yes, in general you’ll need a TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) certificate to teach English in Kyrgyzstan. The industry standard is 120 hours of training from an internationally accredited provider (likeThe TEFL Org).
Tip: An advanced TEFL qualification can broaden your skills. Kyrgyzstan has a demand for young learners, as well as a growing business English industry thanks to international trade.
Can I teach without a degree in Kyrgyzstan?
Yes, you can teach English abroad without a degree in Kyrgyzstan as long as you have a TEFL certificate. But while it’s not a legal requirement for the working visa, many employers at private schools and international schools list a university degree as a requirement.
Tip: There are other countries where you can teach English without a degree and get paid - like Cambodia or Costa Rica!
Do I need experience to teach in Kyrgyzstan?
No, you don’t always need teaching experience to teach in Kyrgyzstan. However, it will definitely help your application, and it’s often listed as a requirement for private schools and international schools.
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Visa requirements for teaching in Kyrgyzstan
English teachers will need to get a Unified Work Permit to teach in Kyrgyzstan legally. To get this, you first need to receive a job offer from a school and employer in Kyrgyzstan. From there, your employer can sponsor your application before you apply for a work visa.
Often, employers creates your account on the official government’s e-visa portal, where you can then upload the necessary documents to apply for your visa, including:
- Job contract from your employer
- Letter of visa invitation
- Completed application form
- Proof of qualifications
- A medical health check (done in-country)
- Clean criminal background check
- Passport-sized photos
Important: Immigration rules can change, and the information above is not intended as legal advice. Be sure to check official government websites or your local embassy for updated visa requirements.
Salary and Cost of Living
Kyrgyzstan isn’t known for being the highest paying TEFL location, but that doesn’t mean you can’t live comfortably here as a teacher. Here’s everything you need to know about the teacher salary and cost of living in Kyrgyzstan.
How much can you earn teaching English in Kyrgyzstan?
Outside of volunteer work, working as an English teacher in Kyrgyzstan can get you between c40,000–c131,150 ($455–$1,500 / £340–£1,110) a month, depending on your qualifications and experience. International school teachers usually earn more, with top schools and experienced hires potentially exceeding this range.
How much does it cost to live in Kyrgyzstan?
How much you spend while teaching in Kyrgyzstan depends on a range of factors, including your location, job benefits, and lifestyle. Generally, an English teacher in the capital city, Bishkek, can expect to spend around c35,000–c45,000 ($400–$515 / £295–£380) per month, excluding rent.
Monthly rent for a 1-bed apartment in Bishkek ranges between c30,000–c47,000 ($345–$540 / £255–£400), taking your average monthly living costs to around c70,000 ($800 / £595). Here are some of our tops tips for teachers looking to be more frugal in Kyrgyzstan:
- Eat locally: Traditional food can cost as little as c500 ($5.70 / £4.20) per dish in local eateries. You can also find a stolovaya, a Soviet buffet-style restaurant that offers a range of local Kyrgyz dishes.
- Share housing: Sharing accommodation with other expats or teachers can reduce your rent significantly, saving around c10,000 ($115 / £85) per person per month.
- Live outside the centre: Rent in the city centre is significantly more expensive than other areas of the city. You could potentially save up to c15,000 ($170 / £125) living outside the centre of Bishkek. In more rural areas, rent can cost as little as c25,000 ($285 / £210).
- Use public transport: While often crowded, public transport offers an inexpensive and convenient way to get around cities like Bishkek, Osh, and Jalal-Abad, with Marshrutka (shared taxis) and buses being the most common.
| Restaurants | KGS | USD | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | |||
| Domestic beer (0.5 litre) | |||
| Regular cappuccino | |||
| Water (0.33 litre) | |||
| Markets | KGS | USD | GBP |
| Regular milk (1 litre) | |||
| Loaf of white bread | |||
| Regular eggs (1 dozen) | |||
| Apples (1 kg) | |||
| Transportation | KGS | USD | GBP |
| One-way ticket (local transport) | |||
| Monthly pass (regular price) | |||
| Taxi start (normal tariff) | |||
| Gasoline (1 litre) | |||
| Utilities | KGS | USD | GBP |
| Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage (for a regular apartment) | |||
| Regular prepaid monthly mobile tariff with 10GB+ data | |||
| Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | |||
| Clothing and shoes | KGS | USD | GBP |
| Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or something similar) | |||
| Summer dress in a chain store | |||
| Nike running shoes (mid-range) | |||
| Men's leather business shoes |
English Teaching Jobs in Kyrgyzstan
You can find a job teaching English at private language centres, international schools, universities, and summer camps. Keep in mind that most public schools hire local English teachers, so many paid jobs for foreign TEFL teachers will be found in the private sector.
Which job is most suitable depends on your skills, experience, and qualifications. Some teachers also choose to supplement their income with private tutoring, in addition to contract work. Here are some of the main types of teaching jobs in Kyrgyzstan:
Private language schools
Private language centres offer supplementary education to young learners and business professionals, with subjects ranging from grammar, exam preparation, or business English for adults.
Most English language centres will be found in Bishkek, where the demand for English language skills in academic settings and international business is higher, with workers looking to study abroad or seeking international professional development.
What to expect at a private language school in Kyrgyzstan:
- Evening and weekend classes
- Small classrooms, range of student ages
- Various subjects ranging from English for academic purposes to business English
International schools
International school jobs offer some of the highest salaries and benefits for English teachers. Local students as well as international students attend these schools, with many schools using English, Russian, and Kyrgz as the primary languages. You will need to have advanced qualifications, like a degree in education, teaching licence, and prior teaching experience.
You'll find most jobs in Bishkek, with popular international schools including:
What to expect at an international school in Kyrgyzstan:
- Smaller classrooms of Kyrgyz students and international students
- High level of English among students
- Teaching a range of subjects in English
- High monthly salary, but high entry requirements and job responsibilities
Universities
With a growing number of university courses available in English, foreign teachers may be able to work as lecturers, teaching assistants, translators, or tutors at one of Kyrgyzstan’s universities. Most university teaching jobs can be found in Bishkek, at institutions like AUCA and UCA.
What to expect at a university in Kyrgyzstan:
- Fewer contact hours, but more preparation and lesson planning
- Emphasis on other aspects of academia, such as research and career guidance
Summer camps
Working at a summer camp often involves teaching in a more active-based learning environment rather than traditional teaching methods. These programmes offer plenty of integration with Kyrgyz community members. Most summer camps are located near the lake Issyk-Kul or near Bishkek, with popular camps including Issyk-Kul Center, LSLC, and the USA's ACCESS programme.
What to expect at a summer camp in Kyrgyzstan:
- Teaching large groups of young students
- Activity-based learning
- Unpaid work or a small stipend; accommodation and meals covered
Teaching English in Major Cities
You can find most TEFL jobs in Kyrgyzstan in the capital city, Bishkek - though it's possible to find others further afield in places like Osh. Here's what life in the capital can look like as a TEFL teacher.
Teach English in Bishkek
Bishkek brings together Soviet history, modern architecture, scenic landscapes, and friendly locals. At the intersection of Europe and Asia, Bishkek blends influences from China, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Kyrgyzstan’s love for storytelling is exemplified in Bishkek’s architecture and monuments. The Epic of Manas - a 1,000-year-old Kyrgyz poem with over 500,000 lines, is represented through monuments, statues, and even a national airport.
But while Bishkek exhibits stories of ancient war heroes and Soviet history, it’s also alive with the stalls of Osh Bazaar, a vibrant nightlife, adventurous hiking spots, and a respected opera and ballet theatre.
You’ll find most teaching opportunities in Bishkek at private language centres, international schools, or universities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much do English teachers make in Kyrgyzstan?
English teachers in Kyrgyzstan make around c40,000–c131,150 ($455–$1,500 / £340–£1,110), with experienced and qualified teachers earning more at international schools.
Q. Are English teachers in demand in Kyrgyzstan?
Yes, English teachers are in demand in Kyrgyzstan. With plenty of natural resources driving international business, Kyrgyzstan’s global presence is growing, and English speaking workers are needed.
Q. Can I teach in Kyrgyzstan as a non-native English speaker?
Yes, you can teach English in Kyrgyzstan as a non-native English speaker. However, you’ll need an IELTS or TOEFL qualification to prove fluency, or a degree from an English-speaking educational institution.
