Teach English in Germany
Teach English in Germany
Tefl Jobs In Germany
Would you like to teach English in Germany? Many students choose to teach English in Germany and Germany is appealing due to its diversified scenery, vibrant cities with unlimited entertainment, efficient public transportation, and excellent earnings. You’re in the heart of Europe, so you’re in a great position to travel on your public holidays, and your free time in Germany may be spent doing a range of things, including hiking, skiing, cycling, sunbathing, and adventure sports. Germany has strong gaming and hobby culture, making it simple to make friends and interact with the locals. A job teaching English in Germany will be a dream come true if you’re an experienced teacher with the necessary qualifications.
Unlike in many other countries where TEFL is a huge industry, most English teachers in Germany who work for commercial institutes will be self-employed rather than employed. Honorarvertrag (freelance) instructors spend up to twenty hours a week and frequently work for multiple schools. Even if you have no experience teaching Business English, you will have more prospects if you can teach any field-specific subject with authority (for example, English for pilots, teachers, or IT). Teachers who work freelance are responsible for their health insurance, pension, and taxes.
Types of teaching jobs in Germany
Teaching English in Germany may be challenging for people without EU working rights. English teaching jobs are generally competitive in commercial and public settings, offering a great quality of life and a solid global reputation. Those with particular talents and determination, on the other hand, can secure an English teaching position in a culturally rich country ripe for exploration.
International schools
There are several top-tier private international schools in Germany that would be ideal for a native English speaker. Languages are taught to foreign and German students who want to improve their language skills at these institutes. While English teaching positions at these German schools are tough, having a particular skill set can help you land a teaching position.
State schools
The state-run schools span age groups from elementary school (age 6-10) to secondary school (ages 11), like most traditional children’s school settings.
Students spend varying amounts of time in secondary school, as there are three learning paths. Hauptschule (vocational/skill training), Realschule, and Gymnasium are some options. Teachers must possess diverse skills and be able to teach several subjects.
Volkshochschulen
Volkshochschulen, similar to night classes, are Adult Education Centers found in most German cities and towns. Adult learners can enrol in a range of courses that last for several weeks at these community-level centres.
Languages, computer skills, and fitness instruction are all common courses. When it comes to teaching languages, foreign teachers are usually a plus, although various positions exist depending on the community.
Private tutoring
It is not unusual for English teaching positions in Germany to revolve around individual tutoring. Outside the usual classroom context, teachers can often work one-on-one with students to assist them in gaining language skills. While these jobs are more difficult to come by and entail logistics such as being able to legally work in Germany, finding a tutoring job in Germany is a terrific way to make money and expand your teaching portfolio.
Language academies
Teaching English in Germany’s Language schools can be small businesses or part of a larger worldwide network. They teach English to students of all ages, from toddlers to adults, so your class may include students of various ages. These companies may hire EU nationals or people who already have rights.
Where to teach English in Germany
It’s crucial to conduct your study before going to teach English in Germany or starting a job in any new nation. Begin by visiting one of Germany’s major teaching cities:
Berlin
The capital, Berlin, is a well-known arts city that is acquiring a reputation as a wonderful site to start a business. It appeals to both English teachers and students because of its international focus.
Munich
Munich, a German economic powerhouse, attracts teachers specialising in working with adults. There is no shortage of cultural activities in Munich, the capital of Bavaria in the south (Oktoberfest, anyone?).
Frankfurt
The location is ideal. Frankfurt is an excellent choice for individuals who want to live and work in a city that is well connected to the rest of Germany. Frankfurt is a significant European financial centre; therefore, freelance business English teachers will find plenty of chances here.
Work Visas
To teach in Germany, you must meet the legal conditions for living and working in the nation. In this case, all non-EU citizens will require a working visa to engage in paid teaching labour legally.
A working holiday visa (eligible for some citizenships), a formal work visa, or a student visa that permits you to work while studying are examples of visas that allow you to work.
It is preferable to get a contract teaching English in Germany. After receiving your contract, you’ll be able to establish residency in Germany by registering your address, opening a bank account, and obtaining health insurance. After that, you’ll be able to submit your work visa application. Your new company will assist you in navigating the visa application procedure.
Classroom culture
Germany has one of the world’s most extensive educational systems. Children develop specialised talents at a young age, necessitating excellent instruction throughout their development. Teaching English in Germany, learning does not end once you reach adulthood, with dedicated adult centres allowing people of all ages to continue their education.
In Germany, classroom etiquette is often polite, orderly, and productive across all learning environments. However, students’ learning styles will continue to differ, and educators should tailor their lesson plans to consider both the learning culture and each student’s individual learning preferences.
While work cultures vary depending on the learning environment, teachers in Germany can expect to work in a supportive but formal environment. Most things are done by the book when it comes to relationships, teaching methods, lessons, and planning.
Distinct contexts, on the other hand, may have a different perspective on experiential learning styles and methodologies. It is not uncommon for English teachers in Germany to socialise outside of the classroom during their off-time.
Culture and etiquette tips
Tipping and smoking are the two most perplexing topics for foreign visitors. Tips are usually included in the bill unless it’s a huge party. Simply round up to the nearest euro. Smoking is prohibited in public areas throughout Germany; however, regulations in restaurants and pubs vary by state.
Germans are recognised for their efficiency and hard work; this job-oriented country has no afternoon naps or late arrivals. The punctuality of its transit system exemplifies its commitment to timeliness (a tip that will come in handy if you’re running late for your weekend train!).
Germans are often direct and formal on arrival and departure, shaking hands. Residents in Germany value observing the laws, and even something as simple as jaywalking is frowned upon.
LIVING COSTS
While the cost of living in Germany is higher than in 73% of other countries worldwide, it is one of the more affordable options in Western Europe. Germany has a good level of living, making it a popular destination for expatriates – one out of every ten people in the country is not German, and it is the most populous country in the European Union. The first place to look for lodging is www.wg-gesucht.de, where you can rent entire flats or, more typically, shared apartments known as wohngemeinschaft.
Nearly all TEFL work in German language schools and firms is freelance or self-employed, and while the pay may appear great, keep in mind that these rates do not include the roughly 40% reduction for tax and other contributions. It may appear to be an expensive rate, but you will receive health insurance, a pension, and outstanding social assistance in exchange. Health insurance costs vary depending on age and gender, with women paying significantly more than men. Many TEFL teachers in Germany discover that they don’t have much disposable income but have a good quality of life and an enviable work-life balance.
The cost of living figures are provided by numbeo.com, the world’s largest cost of living website.
- Accommodation: £638–£995/€758–€1,121
- Utilities: £119/€208
- Health insurance: GP Visit £54/€60
- Monthly transport pass: £70/€76
- Basic dinner out for two: £30/€35
- Cappuccino in expat area: £2.92/€3.39
- A beer in a pub: £3.41/€4
Tefl Jobs In Germany : KEY POINTS
AVERAGE SALARY
€1,200 to €2,000
EDUCATION NEEDED
Not all positions require a degree, but they certainly boost your chances, particularly if you studied German or business.
TEFL CERTIFICATE NEEDED
120-hour TEFL qualification
MAIN JOB TYPES
Adult language schools, summer schools, classroom assistants and freelance teachers
KEY FACTS
- Popular locations for TEFL jobs: Berlin, Munich, Freiburg, Frankfurt
- Average salary for EFL teachers: The basic monthly salary for full-time positions is likely to be in the region of €1,200 to €2,000 (£1,1123-£1,872/$1,297-$2,162) gross, but full-time jobs are scarce. Most teachers are freelance and get a rate per lesson. For a 45-minute lesson, €12-€16 (£11-£15/$13-17) for an inexperienced teacher, rising to €18-€30+ (£17-£28/$19-$32) for experienced teachers. You can earn €800 (£749/$865) monthly for 12 hours a week as a secondary school classroom assistant. This may seem relatively low compared to a full-time position, but the hours are low, and it’s a good base rate for either classroom assistants or freelance teachers to make per month to cover their rent and bills for shared accommodation.
- TEFL qualification requirements: If you have experience, many schools aren’t fussy about what sort of TEFL qualification you have, but a 120-hour course is a good minimum.
- Prerequisite university degree: Not all positions require a degree, but they certainly boost your chances, particularly if you studied German or business.
- Term times: Courses start in September or April, but positions can be found year-round.
- Currency: Euro
- Language: German
- Teaching programmes: Adult language schools, summer schools, classroom assistants and freelance teachers.
- Age restrictions: For English-language classroom assistants in secondary schools (who have studied German, preferably at university, for at least two years), applications are welcome from those under 30. Experience is usually necessary for other positions, so young teachers struggle to find suitable jobs. Germans expect knowledgeable, intelligent and formal teachers and may prefer older teachers to young ones.
- Previous teaching experience: Many teachers in Germany will tell you that experience (preferably in business English) is often seen as more important than your level of qualification. If you speak a little German, even better.
Germany’s excellent public education system provides most pupils with a solid foundation in foreign languages beginning at a young age. As a result, the possibility of teaching English in Germany to beginners is scarce; adult classes, mainly Business English, are significantly more common. Volkshochschulen are adult education centres that offer courses in various areas, and many German adults use these classes to improve their English. In Germany, many secondary schools recruit native English teachers to help with classroom learning.
There is still a separation between East and West Germany thirty years after the Berlin Wall fell. Eastern Germans tend to be less fluent in English, and EFL teachers are less interested in working in former East Germany. This, on the other hand, opens up a wealth of opportunities for teachers who aren’t concerned with visiting the most popular cities. The demand for English classes remains consistent across the country, and elite positions are among the highest paid in Europe. If you specialise in teaching Business English, Germany is an excellent place to start your teaching career.
EU citizens can teach English in Germany without a visa, but they must register with the appropriate district government within one week of securing permanent housing. To stay in Germany long-term, non-EU residents must apply for a residency permit (Aufenthalstiel), which must be submitted before travel. The process can take anywhere from two to five months, depending on your embassy (the longest being for Americans), so start planning. You’ll need a passport, a job offer from your employer, your estimated income, and the application form. To work as a freelance teacher in Germany, you must be a member of the European Union.
Facts about Teach English in Germany the Complete Guide for TEFL Teachers | Reviewed May 2022
LANGUAGE
German
POPULATION
83.24 million
TEFL TEACHERS DEMAND
High
CURRENCY
Euro
CAPITAL
Berlin
OUR GERMANY TEFL RATING
4/5 Stars
Tefl Jobs In Germany : FAQS
Is living in Germany expensive?
Compared to other European nations, the cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable. Rent tends to be on the lower end of the spectrum, and Berlin is recognised as one of the continent’s most affordable capital cities. Generally, you need around $1,000 a month to cover all living expenses, including rent.
What is it like to live in Germany as an English teacher?
Depending on the region, living in Germany can offer a wide range of daily experiences and routines. Numerous articles on modern-day German life and culture have been written, and most are highly accurate.
There are always ways to”bridge the gap with language barriers. Despite the fact that most Germans speak some English and often another language, you will encounter situations when German language skills are essential. The best advice is to never stop learning and improving your German whenever possible. Just be patient, realise that you won’t always be able to communicate effectively, and most importantly, learn to be okay with making mistakes.
How much do English teachers make in Germany?
The average salary for English teachers in Germany ranges from €2,000-€4,500 per month.
Can you teach English in Germany without speaking German?
Knowing the language of the country you live in will improve your work opportunities. Nonetheless, English is commonly spoken throughout Germany, particularly in urban areas. Some employers may require proficiency in German or at least a basic understanding of the language, although locating occupations that require only English is still feasible. Look for employment sites and blogs aimed toward ex-pats or that allow you to filter by language requirements, or contact English-language organisations with whom you’d like to collaborate.
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