The official language of the country is Uzbek, however Russian is also an important language, particularly in the cities and for business transactions. Although some knowledge of one of these languages is useful in everyday life, TEFL jobs in Uzbekistan generally do not require teachers to be able to speak them in the classroom.

Unlike some of its neighbouring countries, Uzbekistan is considered a safe place to travel and for foreigners to live, making it an ideal location for ESL teachers looking for adventure and to explore a country that is not commonly thought of as an English teaching destination.

Teaching Opportunities in Uzbekistan

Levels of general literacy and education are fairly high in Uzbekistan and English language skills are seen as advantageous for business and employment prospects. As such, TEFL jobs in Uzbekistan are reasonably easy to find, particularly for teachers with a TEFL qualification and a university degree.

The main source of TEFL jobs in Uzbekistan is private language schools, which generally run from Monday to Saturday. ESL teachers will have the opportunity to teach a range of ages and abilities and are generally expected to teach for about four hours per day, with class sizes usually quite small, around six to eight students.

These types of jobs often provide a range of perks such as return airfares, subsidised accommodation, assistance with visas and health insurance, although this will vary from school to school, meaning it is important for teachers looking for TEFL jobs in Uzbekistan to confirm these details before arrival. Some schools will only take teachers over 24 years of age and those with a criminal record are unlikely to find a position. In general, ESL teachers are asked to commit to a 6–8 month contract at their academy.

International schools also provide a small proportion of TEFL jobs in Uzbekistan. However, to be successful in obtaining this type of employment, ESL teachers are likely to need a formal teaching qualification and some experience teaching, in addition to a TEFL certification.

TEFL jobs in Uzbekistan generally provide teachers with a salary in the region of £400 to £1500 per month, with international schools offering higher salaries than smaller private academies. As the cost of living in Uzbekistan is quite low, this will generally allow ESL teachers to live comfortably, particularly if the position provides accommodation or an allowance.