TEFL jobs in Cyprus
A complete guide for TEFL teachers on teaching English in Cyprus
Overview
Cyprus, a little island in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, is a treasure trove of antiquity for tourists, archaeologists, and historians alike. One might conclude that Cyprus has had a lot of time to evolve because there are signs of human history dating back to 10,000 BC. The island nation continues to rank highly on the Human Development Index and annually welcomes thousands of tourists to the Mediterranean. Cyprus is a fascinating site to explore because of the vibrant blending of European, African, and Asian cultures. Teachers will have the opportunity to fully experience Cypriot culture, from sampling the famous halloumi cheese to searching for turtles on sand dunes that cascade to the ground. Cyprus is unquestionably a great country to teach abroad due to its rich culture, extensive history, and wonderful people.
It is, therefore, little wonder that it has become a popular location for English teachers abroad as it is such a lovely place to call home whether you are planning to work as an English teacher in Cyprus just for the summer or for a few years. In this guide, you will find all the information you need to make an informed choice about teaching English in Cyprus. You will learn about the culture, types of teaching roles on offer and daily life so you can decide whether you would enjoy living and working there.
Types of teaching jobs
International Schools
Most TEFL opportunities are found in international schools, where English is often the primary language of instruction. Teachers may focus solely on English or branch into other subjects depending on their skills. These schools typically follow international curricula, offering a structured teaching environment with good benefits.
Social Institutions and Volunteer Work
Volunteering at charities, orphanages, or NGOs is another option for English teachers. While these roles are usually unpaid, they often provide food and accommodation. Volunteering is popular with gap-year students or those seeking a short-term cultural experience and can be an excellent way to build teaching experience.
Private Tutoring
Many teachers supplement their income through private tutoring. Families often hire English tutors for children, and adults also seek lessons for work or study purposes. You can set your own rates, but it’s important to check your main employment contract for restrictions. Online tutoring is also a viable option and can help avoid competition with local language schools.
Living costs
It goes without saying that you shouldn’t anticipate being paid very well for your temporary English teaching position in Cyprus. Many international school teachers pay around €1000 or even less per month. Occasionally, teachers of more complex topics will earn a little bit more money, but that figure would be average for English teachers in Cyprus.
However, everything is relative, and the good news is that Cyprus has significantly cheaper living expenses than the UK and some other European nations. Furthermore, the cost of living can be reduced by choosing which region of the country to reside in, even though it can be a bit high for instructors at the lower end of the pay scale.
The average cost of living is higher in the southern part of the country, where most ex-pats reside, such as Nicosia, and cheaper in less populated places. Also, cities tend to cost more to live in than smaller towns, but the opportunities will be greater if you stay in densely populated areas. Your ability to set a budget and make cost reductions will also affect how much money you spend on average each month.
As the saying goes, the cheapest way to live in any country is to eat like a local. You can save a lot of money by cooking your own food instead of eating out. If you want to grab a meal out, head to the smaller, backstreet cafes and eateries where there are some hidden gems. An excellent way to save money on accommodation is sharing lodging; you will often find other ex-pats looking for someone to house share with. Unfortunately, schools in Cyprus do not tend to have any accommodation offered as part of the benefits, so you will have to sort something for yourself.
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.
Key facts
Language: Greek
Population: 1.37 million
Currency: Euro (€)
Capital: Nicosia
TEFL job demand: High
Our TEFL rating: 3.5
TEFL TESOL Certification
Required – you can take a course in-country
Peak Hiring Months
September, June
Where to Seek Employment
Foreign language schools and summer camps
Typical Hiring Process
Interview in person in Cyprus
Working Hours
20-30 hours of classroom & extra prep time per week
Types of Students
Business professionals, Children in Language Camps
Cost of Living per Month:
€600-€1,000
Average Monthly Pay
€800-€1,000
Key Points
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Got Questions?
Get clear answers about TEFL courses, certification, teaching jobs, and everything in between.
Compared to other European countries, teaching English in Cyprus is a significantly more professional experience compared to other European countries. The dress code is fairly conservative, and pupils address teachers by their titles and last names. However, as young learners in small groups are typically the focus of foreign schools, you may anticipate a close teacher-student relationship.
Speaking the native tongue (Greek) is unnecessary because the training materials are only available in English. However, being familiar with a few local words can always make it easier for you to navigate and interact with your classmates.
A TEFL certificate from one of the recognised TEFL Courses is the primary requirement for teaching English in Cyprus. Visit our website to locate one of the top online, premium accredited TEFL courses. Some higher education employers may also require a BA or prior teaching experience if you wish to work for them.
Make sure to check with your embassy before you travel to work in Cyprus to see if you need a visa if you are not a citizen of the European Union.
As previously noted, the majority of TEFL jobs in Cyprus do not pay housing expenses unless you are a part of a volunteer programme. To save money, you might split that expense with other TEFL teachers. Depending on where you choose to live on the rural island, the costs change. However, if you carefully plan your spending, your monthly wage can pay for all of your lodging and food expenses, as well as some extra cash for exploring the area. Overall you will find the cost of living and working as an English teacher is quite reasonable, and you should be able to make ends meet.