TEACH ENGLISH IN UKRAINE

About Teaching English in Ukraine

To get hired to teach English in Ukraine, you will need a TEFL certificate. A 4-year college degree is preferred but not required. Native English proficiency is also expected to find a TEFL job. The average salary for an English teacher in Ukraine is about $600 - $925 USD per month.

Known for its scenic rivieras along the coast of the Black Sea and cultured cities like Kiev, Ukraine offers a quintessential Eastern European experience off the beaten track from the major tourist destinations of the West.  Despite recent political turmoil, Ukraine is a sizeable job market for teaching English.

English teaching jobs in Ukraine are more prominent in the month of September but are available year-round with an expected downtime in August. A typical teaching contract is 10 or 12 months in length. In most cases, schools recruit teachers in-person, while some will recruit in advance via phone/Skype. 

Wages are modest - you certainly won't get rich teaching English in Ukraine, but the cost of living is average, so you should expect to break even while living comfortably. The English teaching job market in Ukraine is strongest in major cities like Kiev, Odessa, and Kharkiv. 

How to Teach English in Ukraine: Requirements

TEFL Certification for Ukraine

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Ukraine. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired. 

Teachers typically interview for jobs in-person in Ukraine. Therefore, it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below.

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Ukraine, however, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs.  

Degree Requirements for Ukraine

English teachers do not require a bachelor's degree to teach English in Ukraine, however, it is preferred. Please note, your bachelor's degree does not need to be in education, it can be in any field.

How to Find English Teacher Jobs in Ukraine

TEFL Jobs in Ukraine for English Speakers

The most common teaching jobs in Ukraine consist of:

• Teaching adults in foreign language schools.
• Teaching Business English to adults.
• Private one-on-one tutoring.
• Teaching English Online.

English Teaching Jobs in Ukraine: Hiring & Visa

English teachers in Ukraine can expect to find jobs during the peak hiring month of September but it is common to be able to find work year-round with an expected downtime in August and from Christmas through the second week of January. Most interviews are conducted face-to-face, meaning you will need to be in Ukraine to interview for your teaching job. There are instances, however, where you may be able to secure a job in advance of your arrival via a phone/video call interview.

In terms of visas, EU citizens have European working rights and can therefore secure employment in Ukraine without a problem. For non-EU citizens, work visas are not common for teachers to receive, but it can be possible for those who find work in Bilingual or International schools. This can be obtained in advance but is typically converted from a tourist visa on the ground. The process can be long and complicated and is not standard across the country. Because of this, it is common for schools to hire non-EU citizen teachers who are on a tourist visa only to work under the table in Ukraine.

TEFL Jobs Ukraine: Hours

Schools in Ukraine offer approximately 20 to 30 hours of classroom work per week plus additional hours for prep time. This allows for plenty of time to travel and explore. 

Teaching Ukrainian Students

It is most common that your students will be adult business professionals.

Teaching English in Ukraine Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $1,200 - $1,800 USD (32,425 - 48,650 UAH). These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Ukraine until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like rent, apartment supplies, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 

English Teacher Salary in Ukraine

A modest salary and a low cost of living enable teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Ukraine. English teachers in Ukraine can expect to make $600 - $925 USD per month (16,000 - 25,000 UAH).

There are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided so you will need to remember to account for accommodation or temporary housing for your first few weeks in your start-up costs until you find an apartment to rent.

TEFL Ukraine Cost of Living & Savings

The average monthly cost of living ranges from around $600 - $925 USD per month (16,000 - 25,000 UAH).

English teachers in Ukraine can expect to break even month after month. This means you can cover your rent and bills, support yourself, live comfortably, and enjoy your life abroad to the fullest, but you should not expect to save money at the end of the month. If you are hustling and taking on private tutoring lessons and/or teaching English online in addition to your regular teaching schedule, you may increase your ability to save.