TEFL jobs in Slovakia
A complete guide for TEFL teachers on teaching English in Slovakia
Overview
Nestled in the heart of Europe, Slovakia is a small country. In 1993 it became independent after the Velvet Revolution. Until then, it belonged to Czechoslovakia, and prior to this, it was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Slovakia is not somewhere you automatically think of as a tourist destination, but it is a hidden gem that has been gaining in popularity for travellers looking for low-cost experiences abroad.
It has some truly stunning scenery, and strong Gothic architecture, which can be seen in the churches around the towns. It sits in a backdrop of hills, and there is still a very strong folk tradition there today. If you like exploring nature, there is plenty of hiking and climbing expeditions on offer. Furthermore, exploring and climbing the High Tatras mountain range is simply amazing, but if you are not as confident and prefer something a little more gentle, the Low Tatras range is equally enthralling. If you’d rather not walk at all but simply sit back and enjoy a glass of wine, check out the local wineries, which rival some of the best that France has to offer.
If you are looking to explore Europe, Slovakia makes a lot of sense as it is right in the middle giving you plenty of scopes to travel all around. The capital city is Bratislava, and this is fairly close to Prague and Vienna, as well as Budapest. Slovakia is an excellent choice for English teachers looking to explore the world; it has a growing economy and is welcoming and friendly to visitors. There is a high demand for English teachers in Slovakia, which is in part funded by the European social fund. If you are looking to begin a new career as an English teacher in Slovakia, you are sure to find lots of opportunities on offer in a wide range of establishments. you will find a wide range of different venues catering to adults and children looking to learn English.
Types of teaching jobs
Business English Classes
Employers have realised that in order to hold their footing in global markets, English is a vital tool. The easiest way of teaching your workers good English skills is to employ an English teacher in Slovakia that comes to your premises during working hours. Some teachers make a timetable for themselves that involves visiting several different businesses over the week.
English Language Schools
Language schools are found in most cities across the world. They are designed to cater to people wanting to learn English outside of normal education hours. So if you work for an English-language school, you will find your schedule involves evenings and weekends, which some English teachers in Slovakia really thrive on as it gives them the day to do their own thing and explore the local area.
International Private Schools
Private international schools are feepaying establishments and tend to be run more like a business. However, this often means that English teachers in Slovakia will find the best wages on offer here.
State Schools
State education will not offer a salary as good as that found at private schools, but you do get a more authentic experience of life in Slovakia. You will find state school opportunities in both the big cities and also the rural areas, which give you the chance to immerse yourself in the local community and culture.
Private Language Lessons
You also have the opportunity to be self-employed as an English teacher in Slovakia, offering private language lessons. It gives you a lot more flexibility to set your hours, but obviously, it also means you could have a very quiet period with no work. Many people use private tuition as a top-up to the main school income. You can teach private lessons face-to-face to members of the local community, or you can teach online, and your students can be anywhere in the world.
Salaries, requirements & visas
Popular locations for TEFL jobs
Bratislava, Kosice, Nitra, Presov, and Banksa Bystrica
Average salary for EFL teachers
The basic monthly salary for full-time positions is likely to be in the region of €360–€1,000 per month. Freelance rates are around €8–€25 per 45-60 minute lesson
TEFL qualification requirements
A 120-hour TEFL certificate will be a minimum requirement for most jobs
Prerequisite university degree
Some jobs require a degree, but TEFL is more important
Term times
September to June
Teaching programmes
Language Schools, State Schools, Business English, Freelance, Private Internations Schools
Age restrictions
65
Previous teaching experience
Helpful but not always required
Living costs
As already mentioned, it is unlikely that accommodation will be provided by your employer. Although living costs tend to be relatively low, apartment sharing is very common as this enables you to spend even less money. Naturally, as the capital city, Bratislava is more expensive than somewhere more rural. It is actually quite cheap to purchase a property, so if you are planning to teach English in Slovakia on a long-term basis and you have the funds, it is worth looking into buying your own home.
You will also find that feeding yourself is cheap as an English teacher in Slovakia, even if you like eating out regularly. Supermarkets and shopping centres open late and are open at the weekend, and you will also find things like cinemas and other forms of entertainment situated in shopping centres. Many people enjoy exploring nature, and hiking and climbing are popular ways to spend your time. Many locals also enjoy visiting a day spa for rest and relaxation.
Locals tend to be quite humble and not really interested in material possessions and accumulating wealth. It is more important to them to have meaningful relationships and experience all sorts of adventures rather than have a house full of possessions. They are very warm people so making friends should not be difficult and the locals will enjoy showing you many leisure activities. Restaurants and Cafes aren’t particularly interested in hospitality; you will get basic service, but they tend not to be overly familiar or polite. However, the food tends to be delicious, and as already mentioned, it is cheap to eat out.
In order to provide the most accurate cost of living figures, we use numbeo.com, the world’s largest cost of living database, updated regularly.
Accommodation
€650-€900
Utilities
€150
Health insurance
Cost of a typical visit to a GP: €27
Monthly transport pass
€28
Basic dinner out for two
€25
Cappuccino in an ex-pat area
€2.57
A beer in a pub
€1.78
1 litre of milk
€1
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