Teaching English In Greece

Greece is a country of immense history and spectacular scenery. It is a popular holiday destination with people from around the world and once you’ve set foot on one of the insanely beautiful beaches, you’ll understand why there’s a lot of interest from TEFL teachers to teach here.

Finding a TEFL job in Greece

Unfortunately, Greece is actually not the ideal destination for TEFL teachers. Greece is experiencing a time of political and economic chaos and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to improve anytime soon. Having said that, there are still EFL schools in Greece so it’s still possible to find a job here if your heart is set on it.

As a foreigner, you are only able to work in frontistiria, or private language schools, so this should be your first point of contact when you’re looking for a job. Some schools advertise online and you can apply online but the interview stage is done in various cities, like London. The big advantage of finding a job this way is that you are guaranteed a job before you arrive and you can do your research into the school and make sure they have a good reputation and the job is legitimate.

The other option is to find a job when you are in Greece already, which means visiting schools in person. The best time to find a TEFL job in Greece is July or August when schools are hiring for the beginning of the academic year in September, and again in January. However, this is not the easiest option in Greece, which has a reputation for relying on personal connections rather than qualifications to fill vacant positions, but if you are able to network when you arrive, you may find your way in to a school.

Note: if you are not an EU citizen you will need to get a work permit, which your school may or may not assist you with.

Teaching English in Greece

Working in a private language school will mean teaching children, teens or adults. Many of the classes prepare students to take the Cambridge exams or the national English proficiency exams, so it’ll be helpful if you have experience with these on your CV or at least make sure you brush up on how to teach exam classes before your interview.

Most language schools will give you about 25 contact hours a week but, because teaching salaries in Greece are not very high, many TEFL teachers supplement their income with private lessons.

Living in Greece

Let’s be honest, you’re not going to come to Greece to make millions. You’re going to teach English here in order to live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world and experience a lifestyle like nowhere else. You can choose to live on an idyllic island or a big city, so you are able to choose the lifestyle that suits you. And even if you don’t find yourself the best TEFL job in the world, you’ll be living the best life on weekends and holidays.