Teach English in Denmark

Would you like to teach English in Denmark? Finding a job teaching English in Denmark is difficult at the best of times. If you are not a European, do not speak Danish, or do not live in Denmark, your chances of finding work are minimal.

TEFL teachers will also be required to speak Danish, a requirement that will rule out the vast majority of candidates. Even if you speak Danish fluently, getting a foot in the door might be difficult. Because English language teaching positions typically pay well and provide acceptable working circumstances, the typical revolving door of TEFL teachers seen in many institutes across the world does not exist here — when teachers find a good job, they stay.

There are a few options if you’re set on teaching in Denmark. Evening classes held by non-profit organisations might benefit from the expertise of a TEFL teacher, and certain paid jobs may be available on a part-time basis, especially in places where competent EFL teachers are few.

So, what makes it worthwhile to go through the trouble? You’re surely aware that the Danes are among the world’s happiest people, which is a strong selling point for any country. They were number one on Forbes’ list of happiest countries in 2016, and while they had slipped to third place by 2018, they are still a top-ranking country when it comes to keeping its citizens happy. Despite the fact that they do not require many foreigners to teach them English, the Danes are eager to integrate newcomers by providing free Danish classes. Their dwellings are typical of the sleek Scandi style that you’ll recognise from Ikea catalogues, dark winters are spiced up with a touch of hygge, and getting around is cheap and healthy thanks to their fondness for bicycles. If you meet the qualifications for teaching English in Denmark, there are many reasons to make Denmark your home. 

Teaching English in Denmark: Finding a job.

The public education system is highly regulated in Denmark. A request for formal recognition of their foreign credentials must be made in order to apply to the Danish Agency for Higher Education for teaching positions in the elementary and secondary school systems. Foreign teachers might need to take additional training if necessary, so it is worth considering your TEFL qualification and getting this sorted before you try and get a job teaching English in Denmark.

A handful of English teaching in Denmark job vacancies are also available for foreign educators outside the traditional public school system, either in bilingual international schools or private language schools. The majority of these schools are located in Denmark’s major cities, including Copenhagen, Fredericia, Glostrup, and Hellerup.

In Denmark, the academic year lasts from August to June, while job advertisements are accepted all year long. However, schools in Denmark often prefer to interview candidates in person, even though job advertisements are listed online. So if you apply to teach English in Denmark, you can expect to travel there to be interviewed. 

Language Schools

The opportunity to teach subjects like Advanced English and Business English is offered by several English language schools in Denmark to trained teachers. There is a high need for business English teachers in Denmark language schools. Prior business expertise is frequently viewed as a plus for these positions, along with the necessary credentials and teaching experience.

International Schools

More than 24 international schools in Denmark cater primarily to ex-pat children and routinely hire teaching personnel that are fluent in English. English teachers in Denmark are frequently in high demand in Danish foreign schools; hence these schools often have more stringent hiring standards, but of course, the pay tends to reflect the need for a higher teacher standard.

Qualifications

Given that Denmark is one of the top three English-speaking nations in the world, there is a strong likelihood that you will compete directly with native Danish teachers for English teaching positions at international and language schools in Denmark.

The majority of language schools in Denmark prefer to hire English language instructors that have at least a Bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate that is widely recognised. If you do not already have these, you could find it harder to find work teaching English in Denmark.

A master’s degree in education and a tonne of relevant teaching experience are typically requirements if you want to land a job teaching English in an international school in Denmark. You will also need to be at the top end of qualified if you hope to teach English in Denmark at the university level.

Visa

Since Denmark is a member of the European Union, English teachers in Denmark who are EU nationals (or citizens of the Nordic nations) do not need to have a visa in order to teach English abroad there.

However, in order to teach English in Denmark, you will need to submit an application for a work visa if you are a non-EU citizen. In order to be given a visa to work in Denmark, you must also be a certified teacher in your home country.