Teach English in Cyprus

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.

Job types

Although the public education system in Cyprus is very well-established, opportunities for teaching English in Cyprus in government-run programmes are frequently hard to come by. Getting in touch with a private school to work as an English teacher in Cyprus is simpler. You can speed up your job hunt by taking advantage of the relationships that many providers of teaching abroad programmes have built with international schools in Cyprus, or you can look in person, but this could take longer. TEFL programs are well placed to network and help you secure the perfect position teaching English in Cyprus.

International Schools

The international schools in Cyprus are where you’ll find the majority of possibilities to teach English in Cyprus. Although the curriculum in foreign schools frequently adheres to some of the state’s educational criteria, classes are typically taught in English, so you may well find that you can use other skills and teach other subjects as well as English if you want to get involved with them.

Social Institutions/Volunteers

Teaching English in Cyprus is a great way to help charitable initiatives and other social institutions like orphanages. Teachers are frequently in high demand at these companies, and you might not even require a TEFL certificate. Therefore, it can be pretty satisfying to volunteer to teach English overseas in Cyprus. Of course, these are volunteer positions, but generally, you will be provided with food and accommodation. Teaching English in Cyprus as a volunteer is a popular gap year or summer job and makes a great addition to the CV for later in life.

Private Tutor

In any country, you can look into earning extra cash by working as a private tutor. Teaching English in Cyprus may give you a chance to add this skill on the side. Of course, you need to ensure that any paid contract you have is not adverse to you taking extra work. You will usually find that language schools that offer evening and weekend classes are the most likely to object as you will potentially be infringing on their clients. You are free to set your own prices, but it is worth seeing what other people are charging. It is also possible to teach English online, in which case you will not be potentially taking clients from local businesses. However, if you earn any money on a self-employed basis, you need to understand the tax implications and, if need be, declare and pay any contributions as requested.

When and Where to Look for Jobs Teaching English in Cyprus

Applying for a teaching programme that can pair you up with a local school in Cyprus and potentially give you extra training materials is the simplest method to look for work teaching English in Cyprus. Additionally, there are numerous firms that specialise in finding teachers for private and foreign schools in Cyprus. It is reasonably easy to find these companies but try and work with well-known ones as they are more reputable.

The best time for English teachers in Cyprus to apply for jobs is in September, with summer positions becoming available in June and July, even though the majority of private job offers are available year-round. You may also find summer school work and fit this around your other commitments.

Before travelling to Cyprus, you can apply for a job online, but in Cyprus, most ESL teacher job interviews take place in person, with a few conducted over the phone. Understandably they like to meet potential teachers, and sometimes you may be asked to teach a demo lesson so they can see how you work and handle a room full of students. Greek is a language that is frequently used in Cyprus; therefore, knowing it will be helpful while applying for jobs.

What Qualifications Do I Need?

Before placing you in a teaching position in Cyprus, some teaching programmes offer TEFL training and certification courses. The particular qualifications and skills needed may vary because private schools in Cyprus offer most teaching abroad opportunities. In addition, schools often demand that teachers complete a 4-year teaching degree programme and take professional development courses while on the job. Generally, whatever country you look to work in, your salary will be linked to your qualifications and experience. So, the more you can bring to the table, the better. University English teaching jobs in Cyprus, for example, will only interview candidates with a master’s degree or higher, which is pretty standard across the globe. Another sweeping generalisation that tends to be true is that private schools pay better than state schools and language schools, the latter often only paying by the hour and offering fluctuating sessions depending on demand.

Classroom culture

Student-teacher connections in Cyprus’ classrooms and workplaces: Compared to public schools, many foreign schools will have lower student-teacher ratios. When teaching English in Cyprus, you will find some classrooms will adhere to more traditional and rigorous rules depending on the sort of educational institution. However, teachers often desire to connect with their students on a deeper level and get to know them better since it makes for more effective teaching, and this is encouraged in most establishments. English teachers in Cyprus are expected to dress appropriately and conservatively; this should be office smart, not beach-style wear. Women should refrain from exposing too much skin, so keep your shoulders, chest and legs covered. All teachers are typically greeted with their name and then their title. Only first names are used to address students.