TEACH ENGLISH IN ITALY

Everything you need to know to get a job teaching English in Italy.

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About Teaching English in Italy

To teach English in Italy, you will need a TEFL certificate. A 4-year college degree is typically required as well. Native English proficiency is expected to find a TEFL job. The average salary for an English teacher in Italy is about $900 - $1,500 USD per month.

Sun-kissed Mediterranean shores, grand Roman monuments, and Renaissance masters - teaching English in Italy provides a viable path for many to live and work in Europe's most romantic country.

As one of the top destinations for world travelers and a major center of European commerce, Italy represents one of the top countries for teaching English in Europe. English teachers in Italy should count on interviewing in Italy and beginning their teaching job during the major hiring seasons in September, and then again in January, with most contracts ending in late June.   

a female English teacher in Italy in her classroom

a female ESL teacher in Italy


For nearly all jobs, English teachers in Italy will be expected to interview in person once they arrive in Italy, and they will also handle their own airfare, as well as housing. Most teachers live in apartments recently vacated by previous teachers and share accommodations with other English teachers.

Major cities for English teaching jobs in Italy include big cities like Rome, Naples, Milan, and Turin.

How to Teach English in Italy: Requirements

TEFL Certification for Italy

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Italy. 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 in person in Italy. Therefore, it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below.

Read More: What are the Basic Requirements to Teach English in Italy?

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

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

Degree Requirements for Italy

English teachers need a bachelor's degree to teach English in Italy. Please note, your bachelor's degree does not need to be in education, it can be in any field.

Note: Citizens of European Union nations may have an easier time getting a job without a 4-year degree, but most employers still typically require it.

How to Find TEFL Jobs in Italy

ESL Teacher Jobs in Italy

The most common teaching jobs in Italy consist of:

TEFL Jobs Italy: Hiring & Visas

English teachers should count on interviewing in Italy and beginning their teaching job during the major hiring seasons in September, and then again in January, with most contracts ending in late June. For nearly all jobs, English teachers in Italy will be expected to interview in person once they arrive in-country.

Citizens of European Union nations do not typically need a visa to teach in Italy. Some foreign English teachers teach on a working holiday visa (this is an option for qualified Canadians, but not Americans), however, the vast majority of non-EU citizens, including Americans and Canadians, enter and teach in Italy on a student visa

A student visa allows Americans and other non-E.U. citizens to live legally and teach English in Italy while taking part-time classes. It is typically obtained in advance through enrolling in courses and is valid for the length of your study. This opportunity is ideal for those who would like to private tutor one-on-one or teach English online while studying.

NOTE: While it was common practice in the past, teaching English in Italy on a tourist visa is illegal and not recommended. 

Read More: What Type of Visa Can I Use to Teach English in Italy?


TEFL Italy: Hours

Schools in Italy typically offer 20 to 25 hours of work per week. If you are teaching at a language school, you should expect to work a varied schedule as many students work and take English classes in the evening.

Teaching Italian Students

Language schools cater primarily to adults, including businessmen and university students. If you private tutor, your students will be a mix of both children and adults, and if you teach at a Summer Camp, your students will be children. 

Teaching English in Italy Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $1,200 - $2,100 USD. These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Italy 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 Italy

A solid hourly wage affords English teachers in Italy a comfortable lifestyle that enables them to enjoy all that Italy has to offer, but don't count on getting rich. English teachers in Italy can expect to make roughly $900 - $1,500 USD (800-1,300 Euro) per month.

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.  The only exception to this is for Summer Camps. If you are teaching at a camp over the summer, it is common that your camp housing will be provided to you. 

Cost of Living & Savings

The cost of living typically ranges between $900-$1,150 USD per month (€800 - 100). 

English teachers in Italy 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 shouldn't 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.

 

What Does Teaching in Italy Look Like?

Watch ITA alumnus Alex Williams show us a day in his life living and teaching English in Rome, Italy.

Want more? We've got you covered! 
Visit our Video Library to watch day-in-the-life videos from our alumni and get a glimpse into what your life as an English teacher in Italy could look like!

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Teaching English in Italy FAQs

What qualifications do you need to teach English in Italy?

To teach English in Italy, make sure you understand what is and is not required:

Required:

  • A TEFL certification
  • A bachelors degree
  • Understanding of the visa laws and common practices
  • Understanding of the types of English teaching jobs that are available
  • Savings for start-up costs

Not Required:

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

Note: Citizens of European Union nations may have an easier time getting a job without a 4-year degree, but most employers still typically require it.

Read More: What Are the Requirements for Teaching English in Italy?

What TEFL jobs can I get in Italy?

You can get the following English teaching jobs in Italy:

Private Language Schools

The majority of English teaching jobs are found in private language schools and institutes. Private enterprises that specialize in language training, these schools typically cater primarily to adults, including businessmen and university students. Teachers are paid by the hour (13-18 euros per hour typically) and should expect to work a varied schedule as many students work and take English classes in the evening.

Read More: Top Tips for Getting a Job Teaching English in Italy for Americans

Private Tutoring

The market for private English lessons throughout Italy is immense. Many English teachers who work at language schools take on private students to earn extra income while a good number of teachers just teach private students full-time. Private tutoring does offer some advantages. Teachers are typically paid more per hour, and it offers more control over their schedule. Potential challenges include building a roster of regular students and dealing with students that don't show up for lessons. 

Read More: Can I Make Money as a Private Tutor While Teaching English Abroad?

Summer Camps

For those looking to teach English in Italy through the summer, opportunities at summer English language camps are available in Italy and throughout Europe. Summer camp positions typically start in late June and early July and most camps recruit local English teachers in Italy during the spring though some do interview in advance.

Read More: Can I Teach English Abroad in the Summer?

Teaching English Online

Many teachers in Italy either teach English online full-time or in addition to their other teaching jobs to supplement their income. 

Read More: How to Teach English Online

How do I get a visa to teach English in Italy?

The type of visa you'll need in Italy (and how you get that visa) will depend on your nationality, teaching job and perhaps other factors like whether you get your job in advance of your arrival, or if you get hired locally in Italy. Be sure to speak to an International TEFL Academy Advisor by calling 773-634-9900 to discuss your specific questions and concerns about your visa for teaching English in Italy. 

Most citizens of European Union (E.U.) nations do not require a work visa to teach English in Italy.

Student Visa

Enrolling in a qualified educational program and getting a student visa is the most common way for Americans and other non-EU citizens to teach English in Italy legally. A student visa allows Americans and other non-E.U. citizens to live legally and teach English in Italy while taking part-time classes. It is typically obtained in advance through enrolling in courses and is valid for the length of your study. This opportunity is ideal for those who would like to private tutor one-on-one or teach English online while studying.

Read More: How to Apply for a Student Visa to Legally Teach English in Italy

NOTE: While it was common practice in the past, teaching English in Italy "under the table" on a tourist visa is illegal and not recommended. 

How much do English teachers make in Italy?

English teachers in Italy can expect to make roughly $900 - $1,500 USD (800-1,300 Euro) per month. 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.  The only exception to this is for Summer Camps. If you are teaching at a camp over the summer, it is common that your camp housing will be provided to you. 

How easy is it to teach English in Italy?

As one of the top destinations for world travelers and a major center of European commerce, Italy represents one of the top countries for teaching English in Europe. English teachers in Italy should count on interviewing and beginning their teaching job during the major hiring seasons in September, and then again in January, with most contracts ending in late June.

Can I teach English in Italy if I dont speak Italian?

It's nice to know Italian while living in Italy, and it'll help you make the most of your experience, but it's definitely not a must. A lot of English schools like it when their teachers don't know Italian, so they won't use that as a crutch when teaching, making the class truly an immersion experience.

Is teaching English in Italy worth it?

Sun-kissed Mediterranean shores, grand Roman monuments, and Renaissance masters - teaching English in Italy provides a viable path for many to live and work in Europe's most romantic country. A solid hourly wage affords English teachers in Italy a comfortable lifestyle that enables them to enjoy all that Italy has to offer, but don't count on getting rich. 

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Reviews From ITA Students Who Now Experience TEFL in Italy

Laura Tressel

Teaches English in Italy

Laura Tressel

I chose to do ITA's Online TEFL Course because it gave me the flexibility to work during the day and complete my course at night. My favorite part of the course was the practicum. I assisted an ESL teacher at a local adult night school and I realized then that I loved teaching adults - so I now teach Business English. I fell in love with the culture and the people in Italy. I love that the working environment is so much less competitive than in the US, and people really focus on living their lives outside of work and enjoying things like food, nature, and the company of your friends and family.

Annie Chen

Taught English in Italy

Annie Chen

The month-long TEFL course in Florence was much more challenging than I thought. Who'd have imagined that, as a native speaker, dissecting a sentence we use every day could be incredibly difficult? I took a job working at different summer camps around Italy (Dogliani & Tuscany) and got to live with an Italian host family nearby to one of the camps. Living with the Molineris was definitely one of my favorite experiences in Italy. The set-up of the camps was really enjoyable and I learned an enormous amount about teaching, myself, and Italian culture during this time.

Kevin Iannone

Taught English in Italy

Kevin Iannone

The TEFL course in Florence, Italy was rigorous and rewarding. It was described as an intensive course, and this was no idle boast.  I liked this course very much. The difficulty of the coursework prepared me for the challenges of foreign language instruction and I cannot imagine teaching English as a foreign language without the training I received. All of my students in Florence have so far been private students interested in learning English to improve their career or educational opportunities. I am able to make my own schedule with my students, so I can take vacation whenever I wish.