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teach english in pakistan

Teach English in Pakistan

With massive demand for English, but below-average levels of proficiency, there is scope for TEFL teachers to make a huge difference in Pakistan.

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Pakistan has a fascinating and colourful history, that goes way beyond independence in 1947. A land mass with an incredible past, taking in shared history with Iran, Afghanistan and India, Pakistan is a modern nation with a history that ought to inspire any traveller.

With major metropolitan areas like Islamabad and Lahore, as well as uniquely beautiful countryside, Pakistan teaching jobs are a particularly good option for adventurous teachers who want a huge land mass to explore.

Additionally, Pakistan has a major demand for English lessons. With a low level of English proficiency, but a population of more than 200 million, the opportunities for TEFL teachers are vast, with very competitive salaries and eager students, across a range of ages and proficiencies.

What do you need to teach English in Pakistan? Let’s find out.

Pakistan: An overview

In terms of TEFL teaching, Pakistan has enormous demand. While Urdu is the primary language, English is a close second, and schools will teach English in Pakistan from primary school age onwards. With a population exceeding 200 million, that means a lot of schools, and a lot of jobs for teachers looking to work with young learners.

However, English is also used for international commerce, and in the legal system. That means, then, that plenty of adult learners will require tutoring, in either a group scenario in a language school, or teaching students one-to-one.

It’s worth noting here that English has a complicated history in Pakistan. General proficiency in English isn’t necessarily high, but of course, English is used prominently in certain contexts.

English was introduced to Pakistani society during Britain’s colonial rule of India, and subsequently, into the initial phases of rule in Pakistan. English proficiency has typically been seen as a status symbol of sorts in Pakistan, and by teaching English in public schools or tutoring, there is something of an opportunity to provide a form of economic enhancement as an English language teacher.

There are also a good number of teaching jobs in Pakistan where you'll be working with teachers. According to a 2013 study, 94% of teachers didn’t have the requisite English language skills to teach the language effectively.

Requirements for teaching English in Pakistan

So what are the teach English abroad requirements to work in Pakistan? Well, the best answer is: there are different requirements for different kinds of jobs.

If you’re looking to teach in the public education system, then you’ll need a bachelor’s degree. A degree in education is preferred, but not necessarily required. In private schools, including international schools, you’ll need a degree, a teaching license from another country and prior teaching experience. For language schools, the requirements are less strict. You can teach English abroad without a degree in Pakistan if you’re willing to work in language schools, where you can also typically also find teaching jobs abroad without experience.

A TEFL certificate is a must, whether you're teaching in major cities or a more rural setting. Completion of one or more TEFL courses is imperative for Pakistan teaching jobs, with 120 hours of training being the industry standard. If you have designs on finding work teaching English in Pakistan, having a TEFL certificate on your CV is extremely important.

In order to secure a visa, you’ll need a concrete job offer. Some of the administrative duties will be carried out by the school or institution that has offered you work, though you will have some admin to do yourself!

Salary and cost of living in Pakistan

When it comes to teaching English abroad, salary is an important factor. What kind of salaries are on offer in Pakistan?

Again, it depends where you work. On average, English teachers tend to earn a typical salary of 50,000 Pakistani Rupees (PKR) to 100,000 PKR per month, which works at around $180-$360/£142-£284. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s worth bearing in mind that Pakistan has a much lower cost of living than countries like the USA, Canada, the UK or Ireland.

For example, per Numbeo, rent is 92% lower in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, than in London. A typical rent for a one bedroom apartment in the city centre is about $165/£130. Outside of the city centre, rents of just under $100/£76 for one bedroom apartments aren’t uncommon.

In terms of other expenditure, expect to pay just under $100/£75 per month for general utilities. Getting around is extremely cheap; it’s about $5/£4 for a monthly pass on public transport. Meals don’t cost the earth either; a three-course meal for two in a mid-priced restaurant won’t cost more than $20/£14.

Download our teaching English in Asia guide

English teaching jobs in Pakistan

We touched on it earlier, but where can the majority of teaching jobs be found in Pakistan?

Of course, the public education system teaches English from an early age, right through to the end of mandatory education. It’s taught as a foreign language, meaning that TEFL teachers - especially those with a degree, a TEFL certificate and, preferably, some teaching experience - won’t have too much trouble finding work.

Private schools also teach English, as do international schools, though positions in these institutions are more competitive, and in some cases, you’ll need a master’s degree to teach in the best-paying schools.

Language schools are another excellent route for English teachers, especially those who are newer to TEFL teaching and don't have an extensive background in teaching abroad. Language schools operate like colleges, and are typically attended in late afternoons, evenings and weekends. Language schools are particularly prevalent in bigger cities, like Islamabad, Karahi and Lahore. TEFL certification is a must; for many schools of this type, you won't need a degree.

Tutoring is also a great option, though you won’t be able to do this straight away if you don’t already live in Pakistan. After a few years of experience with a school (of any description), tutoring can provide really invaluable experience, with schoolchildren needing extra help for classes, adults learning English for economic advancement, and students yearning to study in English-speaking universities all needing tutoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much do English teachers earn in Pakistan?

A typical starter salary for an English teacher in Pakistan is between 50,000 Pakistani Rupees (PKR) to 100,000 PKR per month, which works at around $180-$360/£142-£284. Salaries can, of course, rise depending on years of experience, qualifications and the kind of institution you work for.

Q. How can I become an English teacher in Pakistan?

Becoming an English teacher is relatively easy if you already work in the world of TEFL. You’ll need a work visa, and this is dependent on a job offer from a Pakistani school or other educational institution. To meet the criteria for a job, you may need a degree, a quality TEFL certificate from an established, accredited provider, and some experience.

Q. How can I get Tesol certification in Pakistan?

To gain TESOL/TEFL certification in Pakistan, we’d recommend going online. Online TEFL courses, from a reputable and accredited course provider, come with all the training and expertise you’ll need to teach English as a foreign language.

Q. Where can I do TEFL in Pakistan?

There are TEFL opportunities all across Pakistan, but we’d recommend trying bigger metropolitan areas, such as Islamabad, Karahi and Lahore, to find the best-paying jobs for a starter.