As the 21st century continues to unfold, English remains the lingua franca of international communication. And while proficiency in English ranges across Europe, one fact remains: Many countries of the continent actively seek native or fluent English speakers to teach learners of a variety of ages.
And as a native or fluent English speaker, you may dream of moving to Europe to share your language skills and culture with European students. You could be drawn to a new work-life balance for you and your family, the richness of a new culture, or the advancement of your career goals in a new environment. And while it is less common in Europe than on other continents, you may seek teaching English abroad as a way to save money.
Teachers of English looking for employment in Europe have a variety of options for where to find work. In this article, you’ll learn about the benefits, expectations, and locations of the most popular types of English teaching jobs.
Whether your dreams of teaching English in Europe stem from multiple motivations or just a single source, it will be helpful to consider which options feel the most exciting, peaceful, and/or promising to you.
Language Assistant Roles
One of the most common ways to gain employment and live legally in Europe while teaching English is through a language assistant role. These roles are commonly sponsored through a government-led program, but many privately-run programs also exist.
Depending on your country of origin, countries like France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the Czech Republic offer programs for native English speakers to teach English in schools across their countries.
Language assistants can be placed in urban, suburban, or rural areas and teach a variety of age groups, usually school-aged children and teens. Most programs place teachers in front of students in the classroom between 16 and 24 hours a week, not accounting for lesson preparation time.
Living stipends for language assistants vary depending on the country. Generally speaking, they cover the average living expenses of a citizen living in the country but do not provide funding for transportation to and from the country.
A benefit of a language assistant program is that teachers are given a clear structure for their time in the country, as most contracts or programs last from September through May or June. Language assistants gain a visa through most programs. Most visas do not legally allow language assistants to work in any role outside of their classroom duties.
If you want to become an English language assistant, research your desired country’s application requirements; some countries, like France, have a language and/or age requirement to participate. Other countries, like Spain, have less strict requirements for applicants.
Most programs do their best to accommodate partners applying together, but this can vary from country to country and even within a specific region of a country.
Most language assistant programs require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree but do not require formal English teaching education, even though the selection committee may consider formal training favorable.
Language Academy Roles
Another common way to teach English in Europe is through employment by a language academy, a private institution that educates students outside of a traditional classroom. Language academies teach students of a range of ages, from the very young to retired adults. Some specialize in certain industries, like business English.
Due to their extracurricular status, teaching in an academy in Europe means teachers likely will teach in the evenings and/or on the weekends, which may be more or less desirable depending on your motivations for teaching English in Europe.
Additionally, teachers will need to independently secure a means of legally living in their target country. Many seek a working holiday visa (available to citizens within a specific age range from specific countries of origin) or an autonomous worker visa. Russia, for example, requires a job offer in order to get a work permit.
Most European language academies require teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree and additional teaching English training, like a TEFL certification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). Many TEFL organizations have resources to help you in your search for teaching English jobs across Europe.
International School Positions
If you are a licensed teacher in your home country, teaching in an international school may be an appealing option to teach English in Europe. International schools are privately-run schools that educate a mix of local and international students.
Multiple international schools in Europe generally offer at least some of their education in English. They will generally use or follow a curriculum like International Baccalaureate (IB), Common Core from the United States, or the New Curriculum from the United Kingdom. Teachers with backgrounds in these curricula will be sought for roles in international schools.
Teaching roles in international schools are generally full-time, following students’ school hours. Pay will generally be above what a language assistant in a public school or a teacher at a language academy will make. Still, the work responsibilities will likely also be greater.
Many international schools seek candidates who will commit to a two-year contract. Depending on the school’s goals and mission, international schools may also sponsor a work visa; some may only hire those already with rights to work in their country.
Private Tutoring
For English teachers who desire the freedom to control their schedule and teaching environment, private tutoring may be a strong path to living and working in Europe.
Teachers pursuing only private tutoring will need to direct every aspect of their employment, from finding consistent students to securing a tutoring location and creating their own curriculum and payment system.
Private tutors will also need to obtain a visa on their own, likely through the working holiday or autonomous worker visas mentioned in the language academy section (in fact, many teachers working in a language academy tutor privately to supplement their income).
Private tutoring is the route that requires the most self-direction; it can be an excellent option for those willing to direct their own success in a new country.
Which path is right for you?
Now that you’ve explored the various options for teaching English in Europe, consider which path most aligns with your goals. Do you prefer the more structured paths of teaching as a language assistant or in an academy? Perhaps you want to use your licence to teach in an international school. Maybe you’re drawn to the entrepreneurial spirit and flexibility of private tutoring. No matter your goals, there is a teaching option that can lead you to the life of your dreams abroad, teaching English!
