Surf spots, rainforests, plus a range of opportunities for English teachers - Sri Lanka has a lot to offer. While Sinhala and Tamil are the country's two official languages, English is increasingly used in cities like Colombo and Kandy, with Sri Lanka's low English language proficiency driving demand for new teachers.

Read on for The TEFL Org's guide to teaching English in Sri Lanka, from salaries, to top locations, visa requirements, and more.

Key Takeaways

• You'll need need a TEFL certificate and bachelor's degree to find paid teaching jobs in Sri Lanka. (Volunteer roles prefer TEFL certification and native English speakers.)
• Most teaching jobs are in cities like Colombo and Kandy, in private language centres and international schools.
• English teachers can earn ₨30,000–₨440,000 ($95–$1,390 / £70–£1,030) a month, or more at some international schools.
• You'll need an Entry Visa to teach in Sri Lanka legally, while online teachers may be able to apply for a digital nomad visa.

Requirements for Teaching English in Sri Lanka

The requirements for teaching in Sri Lanka vary according to whether you're looking for short-term volunteer roles or a paid teaching position. Here's a quick breakdown:

Do I need a TEFL certification to teach English in Sri Lanka?

Yes, you need a TEFL certification to teach English in Sri Lanka legally. A 120 hour TEFL certificate is usually the minimum for paid positions, but you might be able to teach without one on certain volunteer programmes.

Can I teach English in Sri Lanka without a degree?

Yes, it's possible to teach in Sri Lanka without a degree. However, if you want to find paid positions, most employers prefer teachers who have a bachelor's degree at minimum, especially at international schools and university teaching jobs. (Learn more about teaching English abroad without a degree.)

Do I need teaching experience to teach in Sri Lanka?

No, you don't need teaching experience to teach in Sri Lanka. However, employers (e.g. international schools) prefer teachers who have a few years of teaching experience.

Visa requirements for teaching in Sri Lanka

To work legally as a full-time English teacher in Sri Lanka, you'll need to secure a job before you get there. Your employer must sponsor your visa application through the Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E).

Following approval, teachers can apply for an Entry Visa at a Sri Lankan embassy or consulate in their home country to have the entry visa endorsed in your passport.

Teachers will then need to apply for a work permit and Residence Visa within 30 days of arrival.

To apply for the Entry Visa in Sri Lanka, you'll need:

• Entry Visa Form B application form
• Proof of employment from a Sri Lankan employer
• Approval from the Controller of Immigration & Emigration
• Clear criminal record
• Passport with at least 6 months' validity and blank pages
• Two recent passport-sized photographs (taken within the last 6 months)
• A valid UK visa if non-British or non-EU applicants

While many volunteers enter on a tourist visa, this is technically illegal; the volunteer provider must apply for a Volunteer Visa on their behalf.

If you're an online English teacher, you can apply for the digital nomad visa. Sri Lanka's new digital nomad visa allows you to live and work in the country, as long as you work online for a non-local employer.

Here are the key requirements for Sri Lanka's digital nomad visa:

• Proof of a monthly income of $2,000
• Criminal background check (issued within the last three months)
• Health check and international health insurance

Important: Immigration rules can change; be sure to check Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration for updated rules. The information above is not intended as legal or visa advice.

Salary and Cost of Living

While cost of living in Sri Lanka is low, salaries for English teachers here are also on the lower end compared to the rest of Asia. You'll need to weigh up how much you get paid versus the kind of lifestyle you're aiming at.

Here's a quick overview of what you can expect to earn, spend, and save in Sri Lanka as a TEFL teacher.

How much can you earn teaching English in Sri Lanka?

For paid roles, English teachers can earn around ₨30,000–₨440,000 ($95–$1,390 / £70–£1,030) per month. Generally, Sri Lanka ranks on the lower end for teaching English abroad salaries, which is worth keeping in mind before committing to a job there.

How much does it cost to live in Sri Lanka?

The average cost of living for expats and teachers in Sri Lanka ranges from ₨100,000–₨140,000 ($315–$440 / £230–£325), excluding rent.

Rent in big cities like the capital Colombo ranges from ₨70,000–₨140,000 ($220–$440 / £160–£320). This takes your total monthly living costs to around ₨200,000 ($630 / £465) depending on your lifestyle. For many teachers, monthly living expenses in Sri Lanka tend to outpace an average teacher's salary, unless you're working at a higher-end private or international school.

To help you stretch your money a little further, here are our tips for spending and saving in the country:

• Live outside the city centre: Rent fluctuates within larger cities like Colombo or Kandy, with rent prices near-doubling if you live in the city centre.
• Consider shared housing: Consider sharing accommodation with other teachers, expats, or locals. If you're volunteering, living with host families is a good way to live rent-free while immersing yourself in the local community.
• Buy local products: As an island, imported goods are very expensive. Shopping at local markets can save you plenty of money in the long run. For example, meals at a local eatery can cost around ₨1,400 ($4.40 / £3.20).
• Use public transport: Bus fares in cities like Colombo and Kandy are cheap, costing around ₨200 ($0.60 / £0.45). If you're travelling the country, scenic train rides from Kandy to Colombo cost around ₨1,200–₨3,800 ($3.80–$12 / £2.80–£8.80) depending on the service and ticket type.

English Teaching Jobs in Sri Lanka

English teaching jobs exist in both the public and private sector in Sri Lanka. Whether you want to work at government schools, teach Buddhist monks, or work at private schools, there are a few different options.

Public schools

Most public school roles are accessed through volunteering programmes due to limited funding. Teachers can expect large class sizes and enthusiastic students at government schools, with lessons often focused on activities that build confidence in spoken English. You could even find yourself teaching Buddhist monks at a Pirivena, or a Buddhist monastic school!

What to expect at public schools in Sri Lanka:

• Teaching larger classrooms with a local teacher
• Volunteer positions at public schools and government-supported Buddhist monasteries
• Emphasis on conversational English skills through activities and games

Private language schools

What to expect at private schools in Sri Lanka:

• Teaching evening and weekend classes
• Smaller classrooms and various age groups
• A monthly salary ranging from ₨40,000–₨80,000 ($125–$350 / £95–£260)

International schools

International schools provide the highest salaries and best facilities, but come with strict requirements and high expectations. They cater to both local and international students, delivering lessons through English using international curricula.

Popular international schools in Sri Lanka include:

• British School Colombo
• Colombo International School
• Elizabeth Moir School

What to expect at international schools in Sri Lanka:

• Monday to Friday schedule
• Teaching local and international students a range of subjects with English as the primary language
• High teaching standards; lesson planning, creating assignments, grading
• A monthly salary up to ₨440,000 ($1,390 / £1,030) depending on the school

Teaching English in Major Cities

From economic hubs to cultural capitals, here are some of the best cities for teaching English in Sri Lanka.

Teach English in Colombo

While many travellers tend to skip Colombo, the capital city is a great TEFL location thanks to its job availability and diversity. While this cosmopolitan city is home to a busy expat community, it's rich in Sri Lankan culture through Buddhist temples, local street food, and traditional festivals such as Thai Pongal or Navam Perahera.

Beyond teaching, take the train to nearby national parks, or spend the day visiting popular surf spots like Hikkaduwa and Dewata, or UNESCO sites such as Fort Galle.

Teach English in Kandy

Known as Sri Lanka's cultural capital, Kandy offers a more relaxed teaching environment than the capital. While most roles here are voluntary, you might be able to find some paid opportunities at private schools and international schools, like Darwin, British Council Kandy, IELC, and British Way.

In your free time, you can visit the Tooth Relic Temple, navigate the Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, watch traditional Kandyan dance performances, or take the Kandy–Ella train for a scenic excursion through Sri Lanka's rural areas.

TEFL Org Teacher Stories

Want first-hand insight? Hear from our TEFL Org graduate's life-changing experience teaching English in Sri Lanka!

Melissa

"It is hard to define a typical day in the life of a VESL volunteer in Sri Lanka, as there is so much variety (which is one of many reasons why I love it so much)!

I wake up at 5:30am to the sound of the river gently flowing outside my room.

Kumara, my three-wheeler driver, collects me at 7:10am. I take in the sights around me; beautiful green mountains, rain-sodden paddy fields, buses so full that people are hanging off the sides, small boutiques selling fresh fruit and vegetables, a herd of cows wandering along the middle of the road, and stray dogs roaming the lanes in search of morsels of food.

I arrive at my school, a small rural secondary school with about 400 students and 25 teachers. I'm immediately greeted by dozens of students rushing towards me to say "Good morning teacher!"

Throughout the day, I teach four or five 40 minute long lessons. There are 11 classes in the school and I see most of them three times a week, with pupils aged from 10 to 17 years old. Most of my lessons involve playing lots of games, singing songs and laughing uncontrollably!"

Find out more about Melissa's experience as a TEFL teacher in Sri Lanka, or read other student stories from around the globe!

Ready to Teach English in Sri Lanka?

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