Guide To Teaching English In Kazakhstan

Not many people know how to spell Kazakhstan, let alone point it out on a map, but that doesn’t mean that you should discount it from your search for the perfect TEFL destination. You never know, maybe horse sausage and camel milk will be your next favourite meal!

Finding a TEFL job in Kazakhstan

Arriving in Kazakhstan without a guaranteed job is probably a bit too adventurous for most people. Thankfully, as teaching opportunities in Kazakhstan are growing so they are becoming easier to find online. There are numerous schools and language schools around Kazakhstan who regularly look to employ TEFL teachers and you don’t need to look very hard to find them. If you make use of TEFL providers like The TEFL Academy you will find the adverts from the schools and you’ll be able to send in your application. Considering the language barrier, this is a good idea anyway. You need a work visa to work in Kazakhstan (and a degree to get a work permit) but your school will help organise that for you.

Teaching English in Kazakhstan

If you browse the TEFL jobs available in Kazakhstan, you can expect to see TEFL positions in international schools or private language schools. You will probably be teaching in the country’s main industrial city of Karaganda, the biggest city of Almaty, or the capital Astana. In schools, you will be teaching primary or high school and in the language schools you may teach Young Learners or adults. There is a widespread appreciation of the benefits of being able to speak English, so your learners will be enthusiastic and motivated. Impressively, your students are likely to be bilingual in Kazakh and Russian – so they already know a thing or two about learning languages.

Living in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is, perhaps surprisingly, quite an expensive country to live in but your salary should be more than enough to be able to enjoy the Kazakh nightlife on weekends and explore the countryside on your holidays. Flights to and from your home country are generally reimbursed by your school and accommodation will be provided with other teachers from your school. Since living costs are what make this country expensive, this will go a long way in helping you save.

The cost of living may not be the only surprise you’ll find. Kazakhstan has a dodgy reputation (thanks to Borat) but you’ll soon discover the country is nothing like you’d expect. The geographical landscapes are nothing short of stunning, the people are warm and friendly, and tourism is so low you can almost pretend you’re a local. All in all, an interesting destination for those who like adventure and who are not afraid to step off the beaten track. And eat horsemeat.