TEFL jobs in Germany
A complete guide for TEFL teachers on teaching English in Germany
Overview
Yes, and on the easiest legal terms of any country we cover. An Irish passport is an EU passport, so you need no visa and no work permit to teach in Germany. The Kultusministerkonferenz’s PAD language assistant scheme pays an allowance of roughly €1,100 a month for a school year, insurance included.
What Irish teachers should know first
The decisive fact for an Irish candidate is that Germany is not a visa question at all. Under EU freedom of movement (Directive 2004/38/EC) an Irish citizen can enter Germany, register a local address and start working without a residence permit or a work permit. That removes the single biggest obstacle that dominates every American-written guide to teaching in Germany, and it means an Irish applicant can accept a contract on the same footing as a German one.
The clearest structured route in is the Fremdsprachenassistenzkraft, or foreign language assistant, programme run by the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD), the exchange service of Germany’s Kultusministerkonferenz. PAD states that the assistant exchange runs on bilateral agreements with 13 states, and the Republic of Ireland is one of them, with a dedicated Irish desk at the agency. PAD puts the assistant’s timetable at 12 to 20 hours a week in class depending on the host country, and its English-language programme page gives the package as insurance cover plus an allowance of approximately €1,100 a month for a placement of one year. Irish applications to PAD close in early June.
One number we will not print is a national average salary for commercial language institute work in Germany. Neither the Federal Statistical Office nor the Federal Employment Agency publishes a pay figure for freelance English trainers, and the honest position is that rates are set school by school. The €1,100 PAD allowance above is a published, official figure; anything you see quoted as a German TEFL “average” on a competitor site is not.
Why do Irish teachers choose Germany?
Would you like to teach English in Germany? Many students choose to teach English in Germany and Germany is appealing due to its diversified scenery, vibrant cities with unlimited entertainment, efficient public transportation, and excellent earnings. You’re in the heart of Europe, so you’re in a great position to travel on your public holidays, and your free time in Germany may be spent doing a range of things, including hiking, skiing, cycling, sunbathing, and adventure sports. Germany has strong gaming and hobby culture, making it simple to make friends and interact with the locals. A job teaching English in Germany will be a dream come true if you’re an experienced teacher with the necessary qualifications.
How do English teaching jobs in Germany actually work?
Unlike in many other countries where TEFL is a huge industry, most English teachers in Germany who work for commercial institutes will be self-employed rather than employed. Honorarvertrag (freelance) instructors spend up to twenty hours a week and frequently work for multiple schools. Even if you have no experience teaching Business English, you will have more prospects if you can teach any field-specific subject with authority (for example, English for pilots, teachers, or IT). Teachers who work freelance are responsible for their health insurance, pension, and taxes.
Where should you read next?
Start with our pillar on teaching English jobs abroad for how the whole market fits together. If you are weighing up Europe, compare Germany with our guides to teaching English in France and teaching English in Spain, both of which run their own state-backed language assistant schemes open to Irish citizens. When you are ready to qualify, our TEFL courses in Ireland page sets out the accredited options.
No obligation and no sales pitch. Tell us what you want out of the year and we will tell you honestly whether Germany fits.
Types of teaching jobs
International schools
There are several top-tier private international schools in Germany that would be ideal for a native English speaker. Languages are taught to foreign and German students who want to improve their language skills at these institutes. While English teaching positions at these German schools are tough, having a particular skill set can help you land a teaching position.
State schools
The state-run schools span age groups from elementary school (age 6-10) to secondary school (ages 11), like most traditional children’s school settings.
Students spend varying amounts of time in secondary school, as there are three learning paths. Hauptschule (vocational/skill training), Realschule, and Gymnasium are some options. Teachers must possess diverse skills and be able to teach several subjects.
Volkshochschulen
Volkshochschulen, similar to night classes, are Adult Education Centers found in most German cities and towns. Adult learners can enrol in a range of courses that last for several weeks at these community-level centres.
Languages, computer skills, and fitness instruction are all common courses. When it comes to teaching languages, foreign teachers are usually a plus, although various positions exist depending on the community.
Private tutoring
It is not unusual for English teaching positions in Germany to revolve around individual tutoring. Outside the usual classroom context, teachers can often work one-on-one with students to assist them in gaining language skills. While these jobs are more difficult to come by and entail logistics such as being able to legally work in Germany, finding a tutoring job in Germany is a terrific way to make money and expand your teaching portfolio.
Language academies
Teaching English in Germany’s Language schools can be small businesses or part of a larger worldwide network. They teach English to students of all ages, from toddlers to adults, so your class may include students of various ages. These companies may hire EU nationals or people who already have rights.
Living costs
While the cost of living in Germany is higher than in 73% of other countries worldwide, it is one of the more affordable options in Western Europe. Germany has a good level of living, making it a popular destination for expatriates – one out of every ten people in the country is not German, and it is the most populous country in the European Union. The first place to look for lodging is www.wg-gesucht.de, where you can rent entire flats or, more typically, shared apartments known as wohngemeinschaft.
Nearly all TEFL work in German language schools and firms is freelance or self-employed, and while the pay may appear great, keep in mind that these rates do not include the roughly 40% reduction for tax and other contributions. It may appear to be an expensive rate, but you will receive health insurance, a pension, and outstanding social assistance in exchange. Health insurance costs vary depending on age and gender, with women paying significantly more than men. Many TEFL teachers in Germany discover that they don’t have much disposable income but have a good quality of life and an enviable work-life balance.
The cost of living figures are provided by numbeo.com, the world’s largest cost of living website.
Key facts
Language: German
Population: 84 Million
Currency: Euro (€)
Capital: Berlin
TEFL job demand: High
Our TEFL rating: 4Popular locations for TEFL jobs
Berlin, Munich, Freiburg, Frankfurt
Average salary for EFL teachers
The basic monthly salary for full-time positions is likely to be in the region of €1,200 to €2,000 gross, but full-time jobs are scarce. Most teachers are freelance and get a rate per lesson. For a 45-minute lesson, €12-€16 for an inexperienced teacher, rising to €18-€30+ for experienced teachers. You can earn €800 monthly for 12 hours a week as a secondary school classroom assistant. This may seem relatively low compared to a full-time position, but the hours are low, and it’s a good base rate for either classroom assistants or freelance teachers to make per month to cover their rent and bills for shared accommodation.
TEFL qualification requirements
If you have experience, many schools aren’t fussy about what sort of TEFL qualification you have, but a 120-hour course is a good minimum.
Prerequisite university degree
Not all positions require a degree, but they certainly boost your chances, particularly if you studied German or business.
Term times
Courses start in September or April, but positions can be found year-round.
Teaching programmes
Adult language schools, summer schools, classroom assistants and freelance teachers.
Age restrictions
For English-language classroom assistants in secondary schools (who have studied German, preferably at university, for at least two years), applications are welcome from those under 30. Experience is usually necessary for other positions, so young teachers struggle to find suitable jobs. Germans expect knowledgeable, intelligent and formal teachers and may prefer older teachers to young ones.
Previous teaching experience
Many teachers in Germany will tell you that experience (preferably in business English) is often seen as more important than your level of qualification. If you speak a little German, even better.
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Compared to other European nations, the cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable. Rent tends to be on the lower end of the spectrum, and Berlin is recognised as one of the continent’s most affordable capital cities. Generally, you need around €860 a month to cover all living expenses, including rent.
Depending on the region, living in Germany can offer a wide range of daily experiences and routines. Numerous articles on modern-day German life and culture have been written, and most are highly accurate.
There are always ways to”bridge the gap with language barriers. Despite the fact that most Germans speak some English and often another language, you will encounter situations when German language skills are essential. The best advice is to never stop learning and improving your German whenever possible. Just be patient, realise that you won’t always be able to communicate effectively, and most importantly, learn to be okay with making mistakes.
The average salary for English teachers in Germany ranges from €2,000-€4,500 per month.
Knowing the language of the country you live in will improve your work opportunities. Nonetheless, English is commonly spoken throughout Germany, particularly in urban areas. Some employers may require proficiency in German or at least a basic understanding of the language, although locating occupations that require only English is still feasible. Look for employment sites and blogs aimed toward ex-pats or that allow you to filter by language requirements, or contact English-language organisations with whom you’d like to collaborate.