TEACH ENGLISH IN SLOVENIA

About Teaching English in Slovenia

To teach English in Slovenia, you will need a TEFL certificate. A 4-year college degree is not required. EU citizenship or a work visa and native English proficiency are expected to find a TEFL job. The average salary for an English teacher in Slovenia is about $850 - $1,250 USD per month.

Nestled between the Julian Alps and the Adriatic Sea, the beautiful pint-sized nation of Slovenia represents one of the truly hidden gems of southeastern Europe. Known for its stunning scenic beauty and charming medieval cities, Slovenia is one of the smallest countries in the world, so it's not a major job market for teaching English. That said, with an advancing economy and increasing integration with Europe, learning English has become more important than ever.

English teaching jobs in Slovenia are available in September and January 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. A bachelor's degree is preferred but not required to teach English in Slovenia. However, a TEFL certification is a must. Preferences are typically given to those with citizenship from a European Union nation.

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

How to Teach English in Slovenia: Requirements

TEFL Certification

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Slovenia. 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 Slovenia. 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 Slovenia, however, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs.  

Degree Requirements

A bachelor's degree is preferred but not required to teach English in Slovenia. Please note, your bachelor's degree does not need to be in education, it can be in any field.

How to Find TEFL Jobs in Slovenia

English Teaching Jobs in Slovenia

The most common teaching jobs in Slovenia consist of:

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

TEFL Slovenia: Hiring & Visa

Slovenia represents a more challenging job market for any teacher who does not already have citizenship from a qualified European Union (EU) nation or working rights in Slovenia.  We highly suggest to not count on getting a legal work permit to teach in Slovenia if you are not an EU citizen. 

• EU CITIZENS
  English teachers in Slovenia can expect to find jobs during the peak hiring months of September and January 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 Slovenia to interview for your teaching job, but some are done in advance via video/phone call.
  
  
• CANADIAN, AUSTRALIAN, & NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS
  Canadian citizens can live and work in Slovenia for up to 12 months via the Youth Mobility Program. Similarly, Australian and New Zealand citizens can participate in the Working Holiday Scheme which will allow them to live and work in Slovenia for a maximum of 12 months.

English Teacher Jobs in Slovenia: Hours

Language schools in Slovenia 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 Slovenian Students

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

TEFL Slovenia Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $1,200 - $1,850 USD (1,050 – 1,600 Euro). These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Slovenia 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 Slovenia

A solid salary enables teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Slovenia. Teachers can expect to make $850 - $1,250 USD per month (750 - 1,100 Euro).

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.

Cost of Living & Savings

The average monthly cost of living ranges from around $850 - $1,250 USD per month (750 - 1,100 Euro).

English teachers in Slovenia can expect to break-even month over 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.