Teach English in Georgia

With incredible landscapes, friendly locals and the cool capital of Tbilisi (the South Caucasus' most hip city) to explore, Georgia might just be the off-the-beaten-track teach English abroad destination you've been searching for.

Occupying a unique position at the intersection of Europe and Asia on the Black Sea, teaching English in Georgia might not have crossed your mind. But that's about to change. This small but beautiful country is an undiscovered TEFL gem. Home to captivating ancient traditions, stunningly diverse landscapes and friendly locals keen to show off their culture, Georgia is perfect for those searching for teaching abroad adventures with a difference.

Most TEFL teachers will come to Georgia through the Teach and Learn with Georgia (TLG) programme - an education movement initiated by the Georgian government. However, there are also opportunities to teach in Georgia at private schools, international schools and as a private language tutor. English teachers will usually stay with host families and receive a monthly stipend, but with such a low cost of living in Georgia, it's usually enough to still enjoy everything this fascinating country has to offer.

Let's take a quick glance at some of the key facts you should know before you teach English in Georgia:

• Salaries for English teachers in Georgia will vary depending on what programme you teach through or what school you work for. For example, a teacher with a TLG programme will make ლ750 (GEL: Georgian lari), which is roughly £185 / $240. This might not sound like much but is actually in keeping with average salaries in Georgia, where the cost of living is incredibly low. On the other hand, teaching English at a private or international school can earn you around £760 / $1000 per month.
• Many teachers also boost their monthly income by offering private lessons. Hourly rates for private tutors are usually between £10 - £20 / $13 - $26.
• Alongside the monthly stipend, teachers on programmes like TLG will usually receive free round-trip flights, free medical care, housing with a host family and a free mobile phone.
• Citizens of many countries, including most of Europe, the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are all able to enter and stay in Georgia for up to a year without a visa, although to teach English legally, you will require a work visa.
• Requirements for programmes and jobs will differ between providers and schools, but most will require a bachelor's degree, a TEFL certification, a clean criminal background check (CRC) and a clean medical test.
• Previous experience isn't required for most teaching English programmes in Georgia. However, those applying for jobs at a private or international school will find it difficult to secure work without some prior teaching experience.
• Native English speakers are preferred. However, non-native English speakers with proven fluency shouldn't have a problem finding work. In addition, the TLG programme hires native French, Italian and German language speakers as well.
• There are teaching jobs year-round but contracts for programmes like TLG will generally run from September to June, with peak hiring times in January and April.