How to Begin Teaching in Austria

The Land in the Mountains

Students learning English in Austria are generally good-humoured and engaged.

Austria is a country with a richly woven landscape of nature and culture. Well-known around the world from the epic film The Sound of Music, Austria conjures up the beauty of the Alps, alpine valleys and stunning lakes. This terrain is ideal for skiing, hiking, mountain biking and relaxing picnics. This is also a country steeped in culture. Images of classical composers, music and opera come together. Vienna, the centre of classical music and opera, has witnessed - in past generations - composers such as Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms, as well as being home to Klimt and Sigmund Freud.

In the present day, not only can time be spent on these classical pursuits, but can also be whiled away in coffee houses and wine taverns, soaking up the magnificent architecture. Vienna is also home to an active contemporary art scene. Salzburg, on the other hand, boasts the world-renowned Alstadt complex, littered with domes and spires. Ancient castles are also found throughout the country. For those living in Austria and wishing to travel in their free time, there is also a well-organised and efficient transport system.

Teaching Opportunities

Students learning English in Austria are generally good-humoured and engaged. They have an open demeanour, which makes them easy to teach. Austria offers good salaries, but these are often of a temporary nature. Many teachers coming from within the EU actually become self-employed so that they can tutor privately. However, a licence is required for classes of 5 or more students together. For salaried employment, teachers also need a degree and a 120-hour TEFL certificate to have a chance of finding work here. Those who are non-EU residents will find it very difficult to obtain a work visa, as is the case in most of Europe.

Despite the competitive environment, there are still opportunities for native speakers in the business English sector and for teaching children. To have a better chance when competing in the job market, it would be helpful to have your CV written in German and to know some basic German phrases to help you get around and to adjust to your new environment. Salaried opportunities often offer a 20-25 hour teaching contract, but other benefits such as a flight and accommodation are generally not included. The cost of living is high, but so are the salaries. This means that teachers can enjoy a good standard of living. For those not on a 12-month contract, there are also summer English camp opportunities to make up the shortfall.

Teaching Requirements

Degree Requirement	Typical Contract Length	Peak Hiring Seasons	Visa Info	Typical Students	Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency	Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency

BA/BS required

6 - 12 months

October - June

EU citizenship or work visa

Business professionals, children

1,100 - 2,800 EUR (930 - 2,350 GBP)

Degree Requirement

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons

October - June

Visa Info

EU citizenship or work visa

Typical Students

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency

1,100 - 2,800 EUR (930 - 2,350 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency

1,100 - 2,800 EUR (930 - 2,350 GBP)

Your TEFL journey starts here! Fancy teaching English as a foreign language around the world?

Great! You’re in the right place. The TEFL Academy provides the very best in accredited TEFL courses, meaning your qualification is recognized throughout the world . The TEFL Academy is the world's leading TEFL course provider. We can help you acquire the skills needed to teach English as a foreign language, whether it be through our specialist online TEFL course or our combined TEFL course. Unsure which is the best TEFL option for you? See our TEFL courses compared page for an instant breakdown of course specifics.

How TEFL works >