Teach English in Slovakia

Nestled in the heart of Europe, Slovakia is a small country. In 1993 it became independent after the Velvet Revolution. Until then, it belonged to Czechoslovakia, and prior to this, it was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Slovakia is not somewhere you automatically think of as a tourist destination, but it is a hidden gem that has been gaining in popularity for travellers looking for low-cost experiences abroad.

It has some truly stunning scenery, and strong Gothic architecture, which can be seen in the churches around the towns. It sits in a backdrop of hills, and there is still a very strong folk tradition there today. If you like exploring nature, there is plenty of hiking and climbing expeditions on offer. Furthermore, exploring and climbing the High Tatras mountain range is simply amazing, but if you are not as confident and prefer something a little more gentle, the Low Tatras range is equally enthralling. If you’d rather not walk at all but simply sit back and enjoy a glass of wine, check out the local wineries, which rival some of the best that France has to offer.

If you are looking to explore Europe, Slovakia makes a lot of sense as it is right in the middle giving you plenty of scopes to travel all around. The capital city is Bratislava, and this is fairly close to Prague and Vienna, as well as Budapest. Slovakia is an excellent choice for English teachers looking to explore the world; it has a growing economy and is welcoming and friendly to visitors. There is a high demand for English teachers in Slovakia, which is in part funded by the European social fund. If you are looking to begin a new career as an English teacher in Slovakia, you are sure to find lots of opportunities on offer in a wide range of establishments. you will find a wide range of different venues catering to adults and children looking to learn English.

Job types

English teachers in Slovakia could find themselves working in kindergarten, bilingual schools, after-school language schools, and even business English, as many companies want their employees to brush up their skills so that they can take part in the international trade markets with ease.

Business English Classes

Employers have realised that in order to hold their footing in global markets, English is a vital tool. The easiest way of teaching your workers good English skills is to employ an English teacher in Slovakia that comes to your premises during working hours. Some teachers make a timetable for themselves that involves visiting several different businesses over the week.

English Language Schools

Language schools are found in most cities across the world. They are designed to cater to people wanting to learn English outside of normal education hours. So if you work for an English-language school, you will find your schedule involves evenings and weekends, which some English teachers in Slovakia really thrive on as it gives them the day to do their own thing and explore the local area.

International Private Schools

Private international schools are feepaying establishments and tend to be run more like a business. However, this often means that English teachers in Slovakia will find the best wages on offer here.

State Schools

State education will not offer a salary as good as that found at private schools, but you do get a more authentic experience of life in Slovakia. You will find state school opportunities in both the big cities and also the rural areas, which give you the chance to immerse yourself in the local community and culture.

Private language lessons

You also have the opportunity to be self-employed as an English teacher in Slovakia, offering private language lessons. It gives you a lot more flexibility to set your hours, but obviously, it also means you could have a very quiet period with no work. Many people use private tuition as a top-up to the main school income. You can teach private lessons face-to-face to members of the local community, or you can teach online, and your students can be anywhere in the world.

Finding a job

There tend to be two main hiring periods for English teachers in Slovakia the first in January and the second in August. You can find vacancies online, but they do like to do interviews in person, so you do need to be prepared to travel. Sometimes the initial interviews will be done over the phone so that they only see candidates that are more likely to get the role. It’s quite easy to find a job teaching English in Slovakia as the competition is not that fierce, assuming you have the correct qualifications. The salary is not that high; however, remember that everything is relative, and this is offset by the cost of living. Generally, you will expect to earn between  €360–€1,000/£330–£900/$400–$1,120 a month teaching English in Slovakia.

Qualifications

Most jobs teaching English in Slovakia do not require you to have a bachelor’s degree. It is more important that you have your TEFL certification. Schools tend to prefer native English speakers from the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. If you are not a native speaker, you could still find work if you can prove your own fluency and competency in teaching English.

Visa Requirements for English Teachers in Slovakia

If you are a citizen of an EU country, there is no requirement to get a work permit to teach English in Slovakia. Instead, you need a residency permit. Although this is not mandatory, it is considered highly recommended because it is needed to register a mobile phone and required for other formal purposes. If you’re not a member of an EU country, you will need a work permit. However, it is a fairly simple process compared to some of the other countries in Western Europe. It can be a long process, however, with lots of waiting around, but some schools will step in and offer to help you deal with the paperwork.

Need to know

The working week tends to be between 25 and 30 hours long; at least 20 of these will be teaching time, and the rest will be planning and preparation. As already mentioned, the pay seems fairly low compared to other countries, but it is comparative. Schools do not provide accommodation for teachers; however, you might find a health care package and other expenses covered. On the rare occasion that housing is included in your enumeration package, it will likely be part of a flat share or living with one of the local teachers. The majority of the teaching opportunities will be found in Bratislava, but that is not to say you cannot find work anywhere else. If you want to experience authentic Slovakia, then smaller locations are certainly worth looking into and of course, there will not be as much competition for these jobs.

When you are self-employed in any country, you need to check out any specific rules regarding tax and earnings and teaching English in Slovakia as a freelancer requires you to obtain a trade license. Failure to do this can lead to fines or being removed from the country. Even if you have a full-time job with one of the establishments, teaching English privately on a part-time basis is still classed as self-employment, and you will need a trade permit.

Culture and Living in Slovakia

In the business world, Slovakia is seen as something of an up-and-coming country, and this means that more people are looking to improve their English skills. Although there is a relatively small tourist industry, it is the perfect base for many other parts of Eastern Europe and is gaining in popularity as a destination of choice. Living and working in Slovakia as an English teacher will provide you with many experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

Classroom & work culture

Good timekeeping and punctuality are important in Slovakia, so you should always make sure you arrive in a timely manner. Be sure to dress appropriately, and for an English teacher in Slovakia, this would be casual business attire. Of course, it does depend a little on your school, but you should turn up looking for more on your first day and then take your cue from your peers. Of course, if you are teaching privately in your own home or there is, it’s up to you what you wear but if you want to be taken seriously, consider keeping your dress code smart.

Generally, students in Slovakia are very keen and willing to learn. This means you should find a classroom enjoyable, and they will put an effort in response to your planning and preparation. They tend to respond to your energy, so if you are having a day when you can’t really be bothered, you will find your students respond in the same way.

Culture & etiquette tips

When meeting someone, a handshake is considered to be the appropriate means of greeting, whilst making eye contact and offering a friendly word or two. You will find people are introduced to you by their title and surname, and you should stick to using this until you are invited to greet them by their first name.