Country | Avg. monthly salary | Degree required | Start of term | Teaching experience | Housing & flights included | Suitable for non-native English speakers | Age restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Teach in Slovakia | €1,369 £1,166 GBP $1,509 USD | Preferred | September | None |
A small country in the heart of Europe, Slovakia gained its independence in 1993 after the Velvet Revolution, having been part of Czechoslovakia and, earlier, the Austro-Hungarian empire. While not the most popular tourist destination in Central Europe, in recent years it has become a trendy location for travellers on a budget who want an […]
Located right in the centre of Europe, staying in Slovakia would afford you the chance to travel to a variety of destinations. The capital, Bratislava, is close to Vienna and Prague to the west, and to the south Budapest is within easy reach. Home to a growing economy with a low cost of living, Slovakia is an attractive destination for those looking to work in TEFL and teach English abroad .
Slovakia is a welcoming and friendly country to teach English abroad. There’s a substantial demand for TEFL teachers, helped in part by the European Social Fund which has provided free or subsidised English courses for civil servants and those working in education. You’ll find plenty of job opportunities, and with little competition (particularly in off-the-beaten-track locations) you’re sure to find something to apply for.
Teaching in Slovakia, you will often be working around 25 to 30 hours per week (20-25 hours of teaching, plus prep time), which leaves you plenty of free time to travel and explore the country. Peak hiring time is in January, and also September/October. Teaching in a private language school might mean moving around during the day as corporate lessons are quite popular, whereas in a state school you’re more likely to be in the same place each day. Most schools prefer to interview in person, although a telephone or Skype interview in advance is common for a first introduction. As Slovakia isn’t as popular with TEFL teachers as other nearby countries, competition for jobs is relatively low, and if you have a degree and a TEFL certificate it won’t be hard to find a job.
It’s not common for teaching jobs in Slovakia to provide accommodation for their teachers, although they do often include health care and might offer money for other expenses. If accommodation is provided, it will likely be a flat share or home stay. You’ll find the most job opportunities in Bratislava, but don’t rule out smaller locations where there will be less competition and perhaps an even more authentic immersion into life in Slovakia. To teach freelance, you need a trade licence.
Country | Avg. monthly salary | Degree required | Start of term | Teaching experience | Housing & flights included | Suitable for non-native English speakers | Age restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Teach in Slovakia | €1,369 £1,166 GBP $1,509 USD | Preferred | September | None |
Food is cheap in Slovakia, and you’ll be able to afford to go out for meals and drinks regularly. Many shopping centres and supermarkets are open late, even on the weekends, to accommodate shoppers with long working hours. Shopping centres are a good place to find entertainment in the city, such as cinemas. If you prefer outdoors pursuits, hiking is a popular pastime, as is visiting the spa for a touch of luxury.
People in Slovakia aren’t obsessed with making as much money as possible to acquire more material wealth. They take pleasure in the small things in life, like to take their time enjoying a nice meal, and value relationships and experiences over objects. Making friends in Slovakia will be key to enjoying your leisure time. Whatever your leisure time involves, be aware of cultural differences with your home country. Slovakia isn’t known for its hospitality culture, so don’t expect super-polite waiters or to get services for free.
Restaurants | EUR | USD | GBP |
---|---|---|---|
Inexpensive restaurant meal | |||
Domestic beer (0.5 litre) | |||
Regular cappuccino | |||
Water (0.33 litre) | |||
Markets | EUR | USD | GBP |
Regular milk (1 litre) | |||
Loaf of white bread | |||
Regular eggs (1 dozen) | |||
Apples (1 kg) | |||
Transportation | EUR | USD | GBP |
One-way ticket (local transport) | |||
Monthly pass (regular price) | |||
Taxi start (normal tariff) | |||
Gasoline (1 litre) | |||
Utilities | EUR | 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 | EUR | 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 |
With dozens of beautiful countries to choose from, great wages and the chance to live that quintessential European lifestyle, it's no wonder so many TEFL teachers choose to teach English in Europe.