| Country | Avg. monthly salary | Degree required | Start of term | Teaching experience | Housing & flights included | Suitable for non-native English speakers | Age restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teach in Scotland | £2,500 and £3,350 GBP ($3,200 USD - $4,380 USD) | August | None |
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Teach English in Scotland
With some of the most historic, exciting cities in the world, fantastic people and incredible sights, Scotland might just be the best “wee” country in the world – but what’s on offer for TEFL teachers?
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Is it possible that Scotland is the best “wee” country in the world? It’s not for us to say, but between its bustling, busy cities, its breathtaking lochs, Munros and glens, the sheer variety of accents, customs and sights and its friendly, welcoming people, it’s hard to argue against the idea. No wonder, then, there's a lot of interest in teaching in Scotland.
Though Scotland is a primarily English-speaking country, there is some variety. Scots is a recognised language, while Gaelic remains popular in the Highlands and Islands, and is being taught more widely across Scotland today.
How can TEFL teachers get involved and teach English in Scotland?
Scotland: An overview
Since Scotland is primarily an English-speaking country, English proficiency is extremely high; something you’ll find in all areas when teaching English in the UK. The last census, from 2011, showed that 98.6% of people in Scotland aged over 3 spoke English. Scottish residents from other countries also have a very high level of proficiency, including 75.2% of people born in EU accession countries, who said they could speak, read and write English, and 88.8% of people born in Asia and the Middle East.
Therefore, the majority of paid roles are going to be in universities, language schools and colleges, primarily working with international students. Scotland welcomes 50,000 international students every year, from more than 180 different countries. The country also has some of the oldest and most reputable universities in the world in its major cities, including the University of Glasgow, the University of Strathclyde, the University of Edinburgh, the University of St. Andrews and the University of Aberdeen, and it’s in these kinds of institutions where permanent TEFL jobs and private tutoring opportunities can be found.
Requirements for teaching English in Scotland
Something to note, first of all: in English-speaking countries, it’s extremely difficult to find paid teaching jobs if you don’t have the right to work in Scotland already. You won’t get visa sponsorship - in the majority of cases - for English teaching jobs in Scotland.
Provided you already have the right to work in Scotland, the requirements for teaching English as a foreign language in Scotland vary depending on the type of job and the kind of teaching you’re doing. Generally speaking, a bachelor’s degree and completion of one or more TEFL courses (at least 120 hours of training) from an internationally accredited and leading TEFL course provider, along with considerable experience, could get you at least an interview for most TEFL jobs in Scotland. Experience matters a great deal for paid English teaching jobs in Scotland.
However, if you want to teach English abroad without a degree or you don’t have much - or any - teaching experience, and you fancy teaching English in Scotland, summer schools are a good route, especially for teaching young learners. These typically don’t require a degree - though they’re an excellent option for students - though a TEFL qualification is likely to be a requirement. There are also loads of great opportunities in language schools around Scotland, where you might not necessarily require a degree. If you’re looking for teaching jobs without experience, you’ll find it difficult at first, which is why summer schools and volunteering are so important.
If you want to teach English abroad as a non-native speaker in Scotland, you’ll find a friendly welcome when you start teaching English abroad in Scotland, provided you meet the requirements to work in the country. Paid English teaching jobs are extremely competitive. That said, if you can prove fluency (IELTS, for example) and you meet the other requirements for specific jobs, including certificates from TEFL courses and/or a degree, you should have a chance.
Salary and cost of living in Scotland
Given that English is an integral part of education in Scotland and is primarily taught as a first language, it can be hard to gauge what it’s like for TEFL/TESOL teachers of salary. If you’re looking for a typical, average teach English abroad salary, it isn’t quite so simple.
Typically, an English teacher working at a state school in Scotland - in one of Scotland's major cities - will earn between £30,000-£40,000/$38,500-$51,250 annually, depending on experience, qualifications and performance. Permanent TEFL jobs in Scotland will pay similar salaries, though full-time work can be quite hard to find. Part-time ESOL work teaching English in colleges and universities can provide salaries of £20,000-£30,000/$25,600-$38,500 per annum depending on the number of contracted hours.
Private tutoring is a great route for TEFL teachers working in Scotland. You’ll find clients willing to pay between £15-£50/$19-$64 per hour for English lessons. Meanwhile, summer schools might not be permanent sources of employment, but they typically pay qualified teachers between £400-700 per week.
In terms of cost of living, Scotland is cheaper in terms of living expenses and rents than London or New York. According to Numbeo, rent for a one-bedroom flat in Glasgow is around £770/$986 per month, and nearly double this price for a 3-bedroom flat. Utilities, including council tax, cost around £250-£300/$320-$385, though this depends on your council tax band and the utility providers you use.
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English teaching jobs in Scotland
When it comes to English teaching jobs in Scotland, you’ll find the majority of those who teach English as a foreign language will be in higher education, specifically colleges and universities, as Scotland greets tens of thousands of international students every year. Whether it’s private tutoring or in-house English translation and teaching work, it’s here where the vast majority of opportunities lie.
There are also companies like the Glasgow School of English and ECS Scotland that teach English primarily to newcomers, particularly people from other countries looking to quickly find employment in Scotland. You might also find work in the form of private tutoring; advertising your services online, particularly through local Facebook groups, can be extremely productive. Or, putting advertisements up on community notice boards can yield results.
From a volunteering or part-time perspective, TEFL teachers can find meaningful work with local councils, teaching to refugees and asylum seekers. Organisations like the Scottish Refugee Council list opportunities on their website, and there are even government-issued information and lesson packs from Education Scotland available to ESOL teachers. Local councils will also have information on where you can be most helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is TEFL recognised in the UK?
Yes, TEFL courses are both available in the UK, and online, and they’re recognised by employers in the UK.
Q. How much does the TEFL cost in the UK?
In terms of TEFL courses and costs, it very much depends on what kind of TEFL certificate you’re studying for. The most common types are 120 hour courses, Level 5 courses and the CELTA, and prices can range from around £200 all the way up to £2,000.
Q. How do I teach TEFL in the UK?
Given that English is the native language across the UK, you’re better off trying to find opportunities with charities, local councils and language schools. If you’re keen to volunteer, refugee and asylum seeker advocacy groups are always on the lookout for talented TEFL teachers.
Q. How much does a TEFL teacher earn in the UK?
How much you can earn as a TEFL teacher depends on a variety of factors. These factors include whether you work full-time or part-time, the kind of institution or company you work for, and whether you’re teaching in a major city or somewhere less metropolitan. Generally speaking, a TEFL teacher in the UK will earn £20,000-£30,000/$25,580-$38,400 per year as a starting wage.