TEACH ENGLISH IN BULGARIA

About Teaching English in Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s primary draw for travelers is its beautiful coastline along the Black Sea, but that is just one of Bulgaria’s many striking features.  Since joining the EU and working to develop a stable democracy, Bulgaria has quickly become one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.  Hit the slopes at one of Bulgaria’s many ski resorts, or spend an afternoon dining in the picturesque countryside.  

Following the collapse of the USSR and the adoption of a free-market economy, Bulgaria has seen a dramatic increase in its need for native English instructors. English teachers typically find work towards the beginning of September, and then again in January. Most teaching contracts end in late June. For those looking to teach through the summer, opportunities at summer English language camps are sometimes available in Bulgaria and throughout neighboring countries in Europe. 

Those looking to teach English in Bulgaria should expect to cover the cost of their airfare as well as housing.  Most teachers live in apartments recently vacated by previous teachers, and many room with their coworkers. 

A solid hourly wage allows English teachers to cover their expenses and live comfortably (though not lavishly). Schools typically offer around 20-25 hours per week of work, leaving plenty of time for you to travel and explore the country.  English teachers will need to have a BA to teach for some positions in Bulgaria, though not all. TEFL certification, however, is absolutely necessary.  Major cities for English teaching jobs are Varna, Sofia, and Plovdiv.

To teach English in Bulgaria, you will need a TEFL certificate and a 4-year college degree. 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 Bulgaria is about $650 - $950 USD per month.

Teaching Requirements

TEFL CERTIFICATION

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Bulgaria. 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 both in-person in Bulgaria and in advance from their home country, therefore it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below:

• 4-Week Intensive Online TEFL Course
• 11-Week, Part-Time 170-Hour Online TEFL Course

You may also wish to take one of the 4-Week In-Person TEFL Courses that we offer in 21 locations worldwide. 

NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKER

You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Bulgaria, 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 typically required to teach English in Bulgaria. If you are a US citizen planning on applying for the Fulbright/America for Bulgaria Foundation Program, a Bachelor's or Master's degree is required. Please note, your degree does not need to be in education, it can be in any field. 

TEFL Jobs in Bulgaria

JOB TYPES

The most common job types in Bulgaria consist of:

• Teaching adults in foreign language schools.
• Teaching Business English to adults.
• Teaching Assistant in public secondary schools as part of the Fulbright/America for Bulgaria Foundation Program.
• Private one-on-one tutoring.
• Teaching children at Summer Camps.
• Teaching English Online.

HIRING & VISA

Bulgarian work permits are typically only available for people who are already EU citizens or already have the right to work in the EU.

• EU CITIZENS
  English teachers in Bulgaria can expect to find jobs during the peak hiring months of September and January with an expected downtime in August and from Christmastime through the second week of January. Some jobs can be lined up in advance, but most English teachers should expect to interview in person once they arrive in Bulgaria.
  
  
• AMERICAN CITIZENS
  At this time International TEFL Academy is not aware of any language schools in Bulgaria that will sponsor a work visa for Americans. Instead, Americans interested in teaching in Bulgaria should apply to the Fulbright/America for Bulgaria Foundation Program for US English Teaching Assistants (ETA).

HOURS

Language schools in Bulgaria 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. 

STUDENTS

It is most common that your students will be adults, business professionals, or high school-aged children if part of the Fulbright Program.

Salary & Cost of Living

START-UP COSTS

Start-up costs will range from $1,000 - $1,450 USD. These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Bulgaria 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. 

SALARY

A modest salary and a low cost of living enables teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Bulgaria. Teachers can expect to make $650 - $950 USD 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.

For those US citizens participating in the Fulbright/America for Bulgaria Foundation Program, a round-trip travel allowance and housing is provided. 

COST OF LIVING & SAVINGS

The average monthly cost of living ranges from around $650 - $950 USD per month.

English teachers in Bulgaria 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.