TEACH ENGLISH IN ITALY

About Teaching English in Italy

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.   

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.

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 $1,200 - $2,100 USD per month.

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

Teaching Requirements

TEFL CERTIFICATION

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:

• 4-Week In-Person Florence, Italy TEFL Course 
• 4-Week In-Person Rome, Italy TEFL Course 
• 4-Week In-Person Sardinia, Italy TEFL Course

Other options include our 170-Hour Online TEFL Course or our other European 4-Week In-Person TEFL courses.

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

NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKER

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

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.

TEFL Jobs in Italy

JOB TYPES

The most common job types in Italy consist of:

• Teaching adults in private language schools and institutes.
• Private tutoring both children and adults.
• Teaching children in Italian Summer Camps.
• Teaching English Online.

HIRING & VISA

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 student visa or a working holiday visa (this is an option for qualified Canadians), however, the vast majority of non-EU citizens, including Americans and Canadians, enter and teach in Italy on a tourist visa or a student visa. While entering on a tourist visa is a common practice, it is typically valid for only 90 days and is not technically a legal work visa. Should you choose to work under the table on a tourist visa, it is your responsibility to be informed of the potential consequences of working on a tourist 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.

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

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. 

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. 

SALARY

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. You 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.