Home / Teach English in Denmark the Complete Guide for TEFL Teachers | Reviewed May 2022

Tefl Jobs 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.

top-tourist-attractions-in-copenhagen-denmark-little-mermaid-statue.jpeg
legoland_billund.jpeg
Borowitz-BloombergBuysGreenland.webp
denmark-tivoli-gardens.jpeg

LIVING COSTS

Denmark is one of the most expensive locations to live in Western Europe, and it is in the top ten percent of the world’s most expensive cities. However, wages are high, as they are in most expensive nations, so these factors can balance out if you’re diligent with your money. Keep in mind that a high tax rate indicates that you are getting outstanding public services for your money, but the cost of living while teaching English in Denmark can be quite high.

Denmark’s population are among the world’s happiest people, so it’s no wonder that they have a high quality of life. The dark, cold winters can be depressing, but locals cope by practising hygge–a way of life rather than an activity in which you seek cosiness, wellbeing, and contentment through simple pleasures such as reading a good book by a fireside glow, sharing hot chocolate and sweet treats with friends, and reconnecting with nature. Many people who teach English in Denmark say that this is a lovely way to deal with the darker months and a practice they continue once they return to their home country. There is something to be said for trying to find the joy in enjoying things that may not entirely be what you hoped, like reading on a cold, wet day. It is considered better than wallowing or getting upset, and this is bad for mental health. This practice can extend to all areas of life, and you will even find evidence of hygge in classrooms when you teach English in Denmark. 

Smrrebrd (buttered bread or sandwich) may sound bland at first, but you’ll grow to adore Danish open-topped sandwiches topped with delectable local favourites like pickled herring, raw beef and eggs, fried fish, or potatoes. You might expect to consume a lot of Danish pastries, but Vienna Bread – wienerbrd – is the Danish name for them. Dense rye bread is a favourite, and porridge is a favourite way to warm up on cold winter mornings in Denmark. Denmark isn’t just about savoury foods; they also enjoy sweets, particularly liquorice, which comes in a range of textures and flavours.

Bicycling, seeing castles, going to the beach in the summer, visiting local museums, and more castles will occupy your free time when you aren’t busy teaching English in Denmark. It is a beautiful place to live and well known for the flatter landscapes that make cycling easy for everyone, so do find time to get out and explore the local area when you aren’t teaching English in Denmark. 

The full cost of living in Denmark compared to your home country can be found on Numbeo.com, the world’s largest cost of living calculator.

  • Accommodation: £1,282–£1,796/€1,490–€2,182
  • Utilities: £181/€214
  • Health insurance: GP: £44/€52
  • Monthly transport pass: £54/€64
  • Basic dinner out for two: £47/€56
  • Cappuccino in ex-pat area: £5.01/ €5.50
  • A beer in a pub: £4.82/€5.78

Tefl Jobs In Denmark : KEY POINTS

salary.png

AVERAGE SALARY

£35,000–£47,000/€40,000–€55,000

education.png

EDUCATION NEEDED

Bachelors Degree

certificate.png

TEFL CERTIFICATE NEEDED

120-hour TEFL qualification

job.png

MAIN JOB TYPES

public schools, private schools, international schools, business English, language schools and volunteering programmes

KEY FACTS

  • Popular locations for TEFL jobs: Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg, Fredericia, Glostrup, Hellerup and Odense
  • The average salary for EFL teachers: Wages for teachers are set by law. The minimum, which most teachers start on, is DKK170 (£20/€23) per hour, rising to DKK220 (£26/€30) per hour. The basic annual salary for full-time positions is likely to be in the region of DKK296,000 to DKK400,000 (£35,000–£47,000/€40,000–€55,000).
  • TEFL qualification requirements: A minimum of 120-hour TEFL qualification will be required.
  • Prerequisite university degree: A degree is usually required; some jobs might specify certain subjects to study, such as a degree in education.
  • Term times: The school year starts in September.
  • Currency: Danish Krone (DKK)
  • Language: Danish
  • Teaching programmes: Language Schools, International Schools, Voluntary Teaching, Business English, Advanced English.
  • Age restrictions: None.
  • Previous teaching experience: Usually required, particularly for teaching Business English.

English teachers in Denmark at public schools work approximately 40 hours per week, 19 of which are instructional hours, and enjoy extensive summer vacations, as does the rest of Europe, as well as additional time off during Christmas and Easter. International schools will be similar — there are more than 20 of them across the country that primarily serves ex-pat children. These positions are in high demand, and you may discover that the applicable standards are more stringent than in other nations’ foreign schools.

 

No matter where you live, there is also the opportunity to earn money teaching English online or in-person as a tutor. This could work well in Denmark, but you will need to have good qualifications as most people have already got basic skills and are looking for more in-depth knowledge. Be sure to find out the local rules surrounding self-employment in the country you are working in. It is there that you will pay any taxes and deductions while you are living there, not back to your home country. So if you are an English teacher in Denmark and want to do some private tutor work, be sure to check out how you do this legally.

If you have a non-Danish teaching certificate and want to work in the primary or secondary school system, you must apply to the Danish Agency for Higher Education and have your qualification formally recognised before you may apply. The job advertisement should specify what qualifications are acceptable, and you may be required to do further training.

Facts about Teach English in Denmark the Complete Guide for TEFL Teachers | Reviewed May 2022

language.png

LANGUAGE

Danish

population.png

POPULATION

5.8 Million

teacher.png

TEFL TEACHER DEMAND

High

currency.png

CURRENCY

Danish Krone (DKK)

capital.png

CAPITAL

Copenhagen

spain.png

OUR DENMARK TEFL RATING

4/5 Stars

midsummers-eve-sankt-hans.webp

Tefl Jobs In Denmark : FAQS

Q:

How much can I make teaching English in Denmark?

Wages for English teachers in Denmark are set by law. The minimum, which most teachers start on, is DKK170 (£20/€25) per hour, rising to DKK220 (£26/€32) per hour. However, you will find that if you live like a local and avoid expensive international products, your money will be enough to live a comfortable life as an English teacher in Denmark. 

Popular locations for TEFL jobs in Denmark include Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg, Fredericia, Glostrup, Hellerup and Odens. The best thing is to research each one and see where you would be the happiest living as an English teacher in Denmark.

Denmark is one of the most expensive locations to live in Western Europe, and it is in the top ten percent of the world’s most expensive cities. Wages are high, as they are in most expensive nations, so these factors can balance out if you’re diligent with your money. Keep in mind that a high tax rate indicates that you are getting outstanding public services for your money. Many people feel that living in Denmark is reason enough to make sure they can stretch their money and teach English in Denmark. 

TEFL Courses

Become a confident, qualified English teacher with flexible online, classroom or mixed learning.

TEFL Internships

With accommodation, training and full in-country support sorted - it's the hassle-free way to kick-start your TEFL career

TEFL Jobs

Check out new TEFL job listings on our sister company's well-stocked jobs board.

Shopping Basket
0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyBrowse Courses