How do I get a job teaching English in Greece?

Although Greece has been popular with ESL teachers for many years, the recent economic downturn has had a significant impact on the number of jobs available. Despite this, teachers continue to be drawn to the country due to the great climate, stunning beaches, and the general culture.

What are the requirements for teaching English in Greece?

As there are less jobs available than in the past, employers can afford to be a little more picky when it comes to the hiring process. Also, recent changes to immigration laws have made it harder for non-EU citizens to obtain the necessary work visa. As a consequence of these factors, many employers choose to only hire teachers with an EU passport. The basic requirements expected when applying for most teaching jobs are a university degree and a TESOL qualification.

Who are the main employers of English teachers in Greece?

Greece has a large network of private language schools known as frontistiria that are responsible for most job vacancies. This network currently has around 6,000 schools located all over the country, so there are always jobs available. Many of these schools cater to business professionals, although some also offer classes to children of all ages. In order to increase their overall income, a large percentage of teachers in this environment take on private students outside of their normal working hours.

What are the visa requirements for teaching English in Greece?

As EU citizens have no restrictions on working in Greece, many employers choose to only employ citizens of EU countries (particularly the UK and Ireland). Teachers from other countries are issued with a 90-day tourist visa on arrival at the airport, which then needs to be converted to a work visa by an employer who is willing to sponsor you. Due to the current economic climate, sponsors can be difficult to find unless you can convince them you have something special to offer.

What is the best way to apply for English teaching jobs in Greece?

Jobs in Greece are typically hard to find from outside of the country as most schools expect to conduct an interview in person. It is also common for job interviews to include a trial lesson. Because of this, you need to be in the country at the right time of year to have the best chance of finding a suitable position. The best time to be job hunting is at the start of the school year in September, while January offers a second option.

The tried and tested approach to job hunting is to research all the language schools in the area where you want to live and contact them directly with a copy of your CV/resume. Upon arrival, you can follow up this contact by visiting each school in person. If you are offered a job it will usually come with a contract for 10 or 12 months, although shorter terms are sometimes available.

Where are the best places to find English teaching Jobs in Greece?

Individual schools can be found in all corners of the country, although the most numerous are located in and around Athens. Several smaller cities such as Larissa, Patras, and Thessaloniki are also worth looking at if you prefer to avoid the hustle and bustle of the capital. Popular tourist destinations such as Corfu and Crete can often have opportunities as well.