~ Italy ~ Spain ~ France ~ Germany ~ Greece ~ Belgium ~ Austria ~ Switzerland ~ Portugal ~ The Netherlands ~ Finland ~ Sweden ~
Belgium
Belgium's location and size provide the perfect opportunity to explore neighbouring European countries. Brussels, the capital of Belgium and headquarters of the European Union, is a terrific destination for those who have an appetite for politics, fine food, and a good beer. However, like many European nations, ESL teachers may have a hard time finding work without EU citizenship.
| Requirements | Bachelor Degree and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate |
| Typical Contract | Nine months to one year |
| Peak Hiring Season | September, January |
| Teaching Hours/Week | 20-25 |
| Monthly Salary* | 600-1,800 EUR |
| Private Tutoring | 12-20 EUR/hr |
| Exchange Rates** | As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 0.74 EUR 1.00 EUR = 1.34 CAD |
| Cost of Living † | Cost of a Big Mac = 3.31 EUR |
| Income Tax †† | 0-50% |
| Accommodations | Usually not included |
| Airfare | Not included |
| Health Care | Included |
| Holidays | Usually paid |
| Visa | Difficult for non-EU citizens; employer must be willing to sponsor a work visa. |
France
The romance of Paris and the beauty of the Loire Valley castles, the French Riviera and the Alps, the scars of Lille and the glitter of Nice: these are just a few examples of what attract millions of visitors each year. The country is internationally renowned for fine dining, and unbeatable romance makes this a very popular ESL teaching destination. France is the top tourist destination in the world.
| Requirements | Bachelor Degree and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate; experience preferred |
| Typical Contract | Nine month to one year |
| Peak Hiring Season | September, January |
| Teaching Hours/Week | 15-30 |
| Monthly Salary* | 500-2,000 EUR |
| Private Tutoring | 15-25 EUR/hr |
| Exchange Rates** | As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 0.74 EUR 1.00 EUR = 1.34 CAD |
| Cost of Living † | Cost of a Big Mac = 3.31 EUR |
| Income Tax †† | 5-40% |
| Accommodations | Not included |
| Airfare | Usually not included |
| Health Care | Sometimes included |
| Holidays | Usually paid |
| Visa | Difficult for non-EU citizens; employer must be willing to sponsor a work visa. |
Italy
The beauty of Venice, the history of Rome, and the shops of Milan make Italy a perfect teaching destination for art, fashion, and history lovers alike. There is so much to see that even spending every weekend exploring the country would still leave an ESL teacher wanting more. There are many teaching positions in Italy that are accessible if you are willing to travel to the country first before seeking employment.
| Requirements | Bachelor Degree and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate; experience preferred |
| Typical Contract | One year |
| Peak Hiring Season | September |
| Teaching Hours/Week | 25-35 |
| Monthly Salary* | 900-1,600 EUR |
| Private Tutoring | 15-30 EUR/hr |
| Exchange Rates** | As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 0.74 EUR 1.00 EUR = 1.34 CAD |
| Cost of Living † | Cost of a Big Mac = 3.31 EUR |
| Income Tax †† | 23-43% |
| Accommodations | Usually not included |
| Airfare | Sometimes included |
| Health Care | Usually not included |
| Holidays | Usually paid |
| Visa | Difficult for non-EU citizens; employer must be willing to sponsor a work visa. |
Read about a day in the life of an ESL teacher in Italy
Austria
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a modern city set amidst a rich historical milieu; in fact, virtually all government, financial, and cultural institutions are based here. However, the majority of the landscape of Austria features the foothills and mountains of the Alps, making it the heart of winter sports in Europe. Working visas for Austria may be more difficult to obtain due to strict requirements regarding EU citizenship.
| Requirements | Bachelor Degree and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate |
| Typical Contract | One year |
| Peak Hiring Season | September |
| Teaching Hours/Week | 20-30 |
| Monthly Salary* | 500 - 1,500 EUR |
| Private Tutoring | 10-25 EUR/hr |
| Exchange Rates** | As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 0.74 EUR 1.00 EUR = 1.34 CAD |
| Cost of Living † | Cost of a Big Mac = 3.31 EUR |
| Income Tax †† | 0-40% |
| Accommodations | Sometimes included |
| Airfare | Sometimes included |
| Health Care | Sometimes included |
| Holidays | Usually paid |
| Visa | Difficult for non-EU citizens; employer must be willing to sponsor a work visa. |
Germany
Germany offers nearly every activity an ESL teacher would dream of. Because of its size, there are many different landscapes, and visitors can travel to seacoasts, mountains, and forests along some of the most famous roads in the world. Working visas, or Aufenthaltstitel, are easier to obtain here than in most EU countries; it is best to travel to the country first before seeking employment.
| Requirements | Bachelor Degree and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate; one-two years experience |
| Typical Contract | One year |
| Peak Hiring Season | September, January |
| Teaching Hours/Week | 20-30 |
| Monthly Salary* | 800 - 2,900 EUR |
| Private Tutoring | 15-30 EUR/hr |
| Exchange Rates** | As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 0.74 EUR 1.00 EUR = 1.34 CAD |
| Cost of Living † | Cost of a Big Mac = 3.31 EUR |
| Income Tax †† | 0-45% |
| Accommodations | Not included |
| Airfare | Not included |
| Health Care | Partially included |
| Holidays | Usually paid |
| Visa | Somewhat less difficult than other EU countries to obtain a work visa. |
Switzerland
Switzerland is a peaceful and prosperous country, with a highly skilled native labour force and low unemployment. As such, living expenses in Switzerland are the highest in Europe.
| Requirements | Bachelor Degree and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate; two years experience |
| Typical Contract | Six months to one year |
| Peak Hiring Season | September, January |
| Teaching Hours/Week | 20-40 |
| Monthly Salary* | 2,500-4,000 CHF |
| Private Tutoring | 30-50 CHF/hr |
| Exchange Rates** | As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 1.00 CHF 1.00 CHF = 0.97 CAD |
| Cost of Living † | Cost of a Big Mac = 6.50 CHF |
| Income Tax †† | 0-15% |
| Accommodations | Sometimes included |
| Airfare | Usually not included |
| Health Care | Sometimes included |
| Holidays | Usually paid |
| Visa | Difficult for non-Swiss citizens; employer must be willing to sponsor a work visa. |
Greece
Filled with an incredible history and boasting the leisurely Mediterranean lifestyle, the idea of teaching English in Greece appeals to many ESL teachers. Most first-time visitors to Greece come with specific ideas in mind, however the country offers so much more than the typical tourist images. Peak season is July through August; when travelling to find work, try to avoid these months. Like many European nations, teaching ESL in Greece can be hard for teachers without EU citizenship.
| Requirements | Bachelor Degree and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate |
| Typical Contract | Nine months to one year |
| Peak Hiring Season | September, January |
| Teaching Hours/Week | 25-35 |
| Monthly Salary* | 700-1,000 EUR |
| Private Tutoring | 15-20 EUR/hr |
| Exchange Rates** | As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 0.74 EUR 1.00 EUR = 1.34 CAD |
| Cost of Living † | Cost of a Big Mac = 3.31 EUR |
| Income Tax †† | 0-40% |
| Accommodations | Sometimes included |
| Airfare | Not usually included |
| Health Care | Partially covered |
| Holidays | Usually paid |
| Visa | Difficult for non-EU citizens; employer must be willing to sponsor a work visa. |
Portugal
Portugal is the western-most country in Europe and typically features the warmest temperatures on the continent. Because of the vast amount of shoreline, Portugal is a fantastic destination for water sport lovers. It also boasts a relatively inexpensive European experience. Like many European nations, teaching ESL in Portugal can be hard for ESL teachers planning to work without EU citizenship.
| Requirements | Bachelor Degree and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate |
| Typical Contract | Nine months to one year |
| Peak Hiring Season | September, January |
| Teaching Hours/Week | 25-40 |
| Monthly Salary* | 950-1,300 EUR |
| Private Tutoring | 20-30 EUR/hr |
| Exchange Rates** | As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 0.74 EUR 1.00 EUR = 1.34 CAD |
| Cost of Living † | Cost of a Big Mac = 2.99 EUR |
| Income Tax †† | 10-40% |
| Accommodations | Sometimes included |
| Airfare | Sometimes included |
| Health Care | Sometimes included |
| Holidays | Two to three weeks paid |
| Visa | Difficult for non-EU citizens; employer must be willing to sponsor a work visa. |
Spain
Long sandy beaches, historic sites, and paella are a few of the wonderful experiences awaiting you in Spain. If you are looking for a laid-back lifestyle with late night partying and afternoon siestas, you will enjoy teaching in this country. Not only will you have the opportunity to learn Spanish but you will also have the ability to travel easily throughout the neighbouring countries. EU passport holders will have a relatively easy time finding jobs once in-country.
| Requirements | Bachelor Degree and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate; one-two years experience |
| Typical Contract | Nine months to one year |
| Peak Hiring Season | September, November |
| Teaching Hours/Week | 20-33 |
| Monthly Salary* | 300-1,800 EUR |
| Private Tutoring | 10-20 EUR/hr |
| Exchange Rates** | As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 0.74 EUR 1.00 EUR = 1.34 CAD |
| Cost of Living † | Cost of a Big Mac = 3.31 EUR |
| Income Tax †† | 0-42% |
| Accommodations | Sometimes stipend included |
| Airfare | Usually not included |
| Health Care | Usually not included |
| Holidays | Usually paid |
| Visa | Difficult for non-EU citizens; employer must be willing to sponsor a work visa. |
The Netherlands
Wooden clogs, windmills, tulips, and Van Gogh are some of the iconic images the Netherlands is known for; however, the Netherlands is also known for being a rather liberal society. A large portion of the Dutch population has a good understanding of the English language. Travelling to the Netherlands before searching for a job provides the best option for ESL teachers without EU passports.
| Requirements | Bachelor Degree and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate; experience preferred |
| Typical Contract | Nine months to one year |
| Peak Hiring Season | September, June |
| Teaching Hours/Week | 15-30 |
| Monthly Salary* | 400-1,800 EUR |
| Private Tutoring | 10-30 EU/hr |
| Exchange Rates** | As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 0.74 EUR 1.00 EUR = 1.34 CAD |
| Cost of Living † | Cost of a Big Mac = 3.31 EUR |
| Income Tax †† | 0-52% |
| Accommodations | Usually not included |
| Airfare | Not included |
| Health Care | Private insurance recommended |
| Holidays | Sometimes included |
| Visa | Difficult for non-EU citizens; employer must be willing to sponsor a work visa. |
Finland
Finland is full of beautiful landscapes, featuring an estimated 187,888 lakes and 179,584 islands, making it a boater's paradise. Travelling is relatively expensive because of the size of the country, but a visit to the north for the Midnight Sun (when the sun never sets) and Arctic Night (when the sun never rises) each year is definitely worth it. Travelling to the country first before searching for a job is the best option for any ESL teaching opportunities here.
| Requirements | Bachelor Degree and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate |
| Typical Contract | One year |
| Peak Hiring Season | September/October |
| Teaching Hours/Week | 15-30 |
| Monthly Salary* | 800-1,800 EUR |
| Private Tutoring | 8-25 EUR/hr |
| Exchange Rates** | As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 0.74 EUR 1.00 EUR = 1.34 CAD |
| Cost of Living † | Cost of a Big Mac = 3.31 EUR |
| Income Tax †† | 9-32% |
| Accommodations | Usually not included |
| Airfare | Usually not included |
| Health Care | Usually not included |
| Holidays | Usually paid |
| Visa | Difficult for non-EU citizens; employer must be willing to sponsor a work visa. |
Sweden
Host to the Nobel Prize, Sweden has grown increasingly progressive in its politics, gender role expectations, and world involvement since World War II. As such, learning English has been mandatory for all Swedish students between first grade and ninth grade. Therefore, there is a small ESL teaching market, which may make teaching English in Sweden difficult, even for EU passport holders.
| Requirements | Bachelor Degree and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate |
| Typical Contract | One year |
| Peak Hiring Season | All year |
| Teaching Hours/Week | 15 - 30 |
| Monthly Salary* | 5,000-20,000 SEK |
| Private Tutoring | 100-200 SEK/hr |
| Exchange Rates** | As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 7.04 SEK 1.00 SEK = 0.14 CAD |
| Cost of Living † | Cost of a Big Mac = 39 SEK |
| Income Tax †† | 30-35% |
| Accommodations | Usually not included |
| Airfare | Usually not included |
| Health Care | Sometimes included |
| Holidays | Usually paid |
| Visa | Difficult for non-EU citizens; employer must be willing to sponsor a work visa. |
* Wages vary depending on the economy of the country.
** Exchange rates are subject to change. Check www.xe.com for current rates.
† The Big Mac Index is a credible, reliable, third-party cost-of-living index created by The Economist. For comparison purposes, it lists the cost of a Canadian Big Mac at $4.16.
†† Income tax rate is based on the amount of yearly income. Most TESOL/TESL instructors will be charged no more than the minimum percentage.
