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Teach English in Kyrgyzstan

One of Central Asia’s most fascinating outposts, there’s considerable demand for English teaching in Kyrgyzstan.

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With Kazakhstan to the north, Tajikistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, and a TEFL powerhouse in China to the east, you might’ve thought more English teachers would consider teaching English abroad in Kyrgyzstan. Yet, even with around 6.6 million residents, the country is far from the first name on most TEFL teachers’ lists.

In an interesting place, both geographically and in terms of its international standing, Kyrgyzstan is rich in natural resources and has a decent-sized economy. This goes some way to explaining its demand for English proficiency, with exports including gold, oil, coal and natural gas leading to plenty of investment from English-speaking interests. In recent years, English has become a compulsory subject at state schools - albeit, this measure has yet to bear fruit in terms of proficiency levels.

A former member of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan is a fascinating country. It’s known for poetry, horseback riding and gorgeous natural views, but also - in recent years - for some political upheaval. While nature lovers, poetry fans and explorers will know Kyrgyzstan's charms, it's not a huge player on the international economic stage, and the plan is to change that rapidly - with English language knowledge central to that strategy.

So, how do you start to teach English in Kyrgyzstan? What’s an average teaching salary like in Kyrgyzstan, how do you find opportunities to teach English there, and what’s the cost of living like? Let’s take a look.

Kyrgyzstan: an overview 

You might’ve heard of the Epic Kyrgyz trilogy: Manas, Semetey and Seytak. These poems, recited on days of national importance, tell the story of disparate tribes coming together to form the nation of Kyrgyzstan. The written word is of enormous importance, and storytelling is a huge part of Kyrgyz culture, with messages of tolerance and multiculturalism standing as key tenets of the trilogy. 

This is worth bearing in mind for any TEFL teacher hoping to teach English in Kyrgyzstan. The 6.6 million strong population is raised on immersive storytelling. Even more pertinently for English teachers, the English language is part of the school curriculum from grade three (approximately 7-9 years old) to grade eleven (age 15-16). Though the national language is Kyrgyz, and Russian is used in government and in most business interactions, there is a real emphasis on improving standards of English, the foremost foreign language outside of Russian.

You can understand why: Kyrgyzstan ranks poorly on EF’s English Proficiency Index, placed 90th out of 113 nations. Though neighbouring Kazakhstan is ranked lower, it’s hardly a point of pride for a country where English is a compulsory subject at school.

There are opportunities, then, for very determined and resourceful teachers to teach English in Kyrgyzstan. Beyond the state school level, there are some language centres, universities and other locations where teaching English is a point of emphasis.

Requirements 

So what are the requirements to teach English abroad in Kyrgyzstan? In a country where there’s a growing need for teachers, but poor levels of proficiency, how much do qualifications matter? What about previous teaching experience or a TEFL certificate - are these crucial for jobs?

Before we get into specifics, it’s worth mentioning that you can teach English in Kyrgyzstan as a non-native English speaker. You’ll need an IELTS or TOEFL qualification to prove fluency, though a degree from an English-speaking educational institution will also provide you with evidence of fluency. As we’ll explore later, a visa and work permit are subject to a job offer, so it’s an individual employer’s prerogative whether or not they employ a native speaker or a non-native English speaker.

In terms of your language skills, like in any foreign country, it's useful to know some of the local languages. A foundational knowledge of both Kyrgyz and Russian is considerably useful for teaching abroad in Kyrgyzstan.

TEFL certificate 

Generally speaking, you will need a TEFL certificate to find work teaching English in Kyrgyzstan. The industry standard is 120 hours of training, which employers worldwide recognise as an excellent foundational qualification in English teaching. Your TEFL course needs to have been conducted by a reputable provider, with multiple sources of accreditation. Otherwise, employers won’t be quite as sure of your credentials and will be less enthusiastic to give you a job teaching English. 

If you’re looking to set yourself apart in the Kyrgyz job market, an advanced TEFL qualification will certainly make a difference. English is taught from an early age in Kyrgyz schools, so a qualification in Teaching Young Learners will help. 

There is also plenty of interest in Business English, due to Kygyzstan’s natural resources and strong economy. With so much international business being conducted in English, this is a valuable skill to have. Additionally, an Advanced TEFL certificate in English for Academic Purposes ought to help, as there are a range of English-language programmes available in Kyrgyz universities.

Degree/no-degree 

You can teach English abroad without a degree in Kyrgyzstan, with plenty of jobs asking for a TEFL certificate instead of a bachelor’s degree. It depends on the specific job requirements of each teaching position, and it’s not a prerequisite for a visa or work permit.

That said, it doesn’t harm your chances of getting a teaching job if you do have a degree. More lucrative job opportunities will usually require at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in education or English. 

Experience 

If you have previous teaching experience, then great! However, it’s not the be-all-and-end-all, and you can most likely find work in Kyrgyzstan without having held a TEFL job before. Like a degree, experience is useful, but there are teaching opportunities for new, inexperienced ESL educators who are looking to establish a career in teaching.

Visa 

With Kyrgyzstan trying to attract tourism, foreign workers and, specifically, English teachers, it should come as no surprise that its visa system is quite lenient. 

The most vital thing a teacher needs to get access to the country is a job offer from an employer based in Kyrgyzstan. From there, an employer will usually sponsor a work visa, and they will also have to secure a permit allowing them to employ you as a foreign worker.

In terms of paperwork you’ll need for a visa, you’ll have to provide:

  • Your letter of invitation and contract offer from an employer
  • A medical health check
  • Valid passport
  • Completed application form
  • Passport-sized photos

You’ll also have to conduct interviews at your nearest Kyrgyz consulate before completing your application in its entirety. Obtaining a work permit is the next step - once an employment permit has been authorised and issued to your new workplace, this process is pretty straightforward. You need to give details of your workplace and your qualifications and provide supporting documents. These are valid for a year and can be renewed on an annual basis.

Download our teaching English in Asia guide

Salary, benefits and cost of living  

So now you know what the requirements are to work as an English teacher in Kyrgyzstan, let’s move on to salary and cost of living. What’s the average teaching salary like, and how does it contrast against the day-to-day expense of living in a city like Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital?

Salary

Entry-level English teaching jobs will usually pay an average salary of between 43,000 and 86,000 Kyrgyzstani Som (KGS) per month, equivalent to $500-$1,000/£390-£783. While searching for jobs online, you’ll usually find salaries listed in USD. At more elite institutions, like universities or international schools, salaries are usually more competitive - expect to see monthly wages listed between $1,000-$1,200/£783-£940 per month for a full-time position.

Benefits

Before we reach the cost of living, it’s important to point out that in Kyrgyzstan, jobs tend to come with pretty crucial benefits which will make your salary stretch further. For example, free housing or housing allowances are typical for teaching jobs. Medical insurance is another common bonus. Better-paid jobs will often include flight reimbursement, while visa and work permit support is a pretty standard inclusion in most job offers.

Cost of living 

So, how far do teaching wages reach when you’re living somewhere like Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan?

The importance of free accommodation, or at least a housing stipend, becomes pretty obvious when you look at rental prices in Bishkek. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre usually costs about $474/£372 to rent, lowering to $353/£277 outside the city centre. That’s a lot of your payslip if you aren’t being provided with a roof over your head.

Utilities, meanwhile, cost about $29/£23 per month, with internet access usually costing around $12/£9 over the same duration. If you’re interested in sampling Kyrgyz cuisine, you can eat relatively cheaply - an inexpensive solo meal is usually about $6/£5. If you’re enjoying a meal for two in a mid-range restaurant, expect three courses to set you back about $21/£17.

Country Avg. monthly salary Degree required Start of term Teaching experience Housing & flights included Suitable for non-native English speakers Age restrictions
Teach in Kyrgyzstan 43,000 - 86,000 KGS
£390 - £783 GBP
$500 - $1,000 USD		 September None

Types of teaching jobs in Kyrgyzstan

So now we know what requirements you’ll need to meet, and the typical salary on offer, let’s take a look at where the jobs are in Kyrgyzstan.

Public schools 

With English being taught as a compulsory subject from Grades 3 to 11, you might expect that there are plentiful job opportunities at the state school level in Kyrgyzstan. This isn’t necessarily the case all year round, though you will see job opportunities come up in July and August, with the school year running from September to June.

Usually, a TEFL certificate will pique an employer’s interest, though having a degree absolutely helps. In major cities like Bishkek and Osh, having a degree is more likely to gain you a job, due to the level of interest in state school positions.

Teach English in Bishkek 

If you’re interested in Soviet history, but also have an eye for natural beauty and modern architecture, Bishkek is a capital city that manages to marry several disparate concepts at once. We mentioned the Kyrgyz love for storytelling - monuments to Manas, war heroes and relatively recent Soviet history tell the rich, dramatic past of Kyrgyzstan, but central Bishkek is also alive with the stalls of Osh Bazaar, fantastic nightlife and world-famous ballet and theatre.

In terms of job opportunities, you’ll find the vast majority of Kyrgyzstan’s international schools, universities and language centres housed in Bishkek. As the country’s cultural centre, economic hub and historic trade route, the desire for English language proficiency is felt most keenly in Bishkek, and you can find both individual and group clients looking to bolster their abilities in English.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. How much do English teachers make in Kyrgyzstan?

    English teachers in Kyrgyzstan usually make between 43,000 and 86,000 Kyrgyzstani Som (KGS) per month, equivalent to $500-$1,000/£390-£783, though your salary can depend on factors including institution, qualifications and experience.

  • Q. Are English teachers in demand in Kyrgyzstan?

    Yes - Kyrgyzstan has impressive natural resources and wishes to have a bigger presence on the global economic stage. English proficiency, therefore, is important.

  • Q. What country is easiest to teach English in?

    The question of which country is “easiest” to teach English in is subjective, but in terms of demand for teachers, you’re probably most likely to find work quickly in countries like China or Spain.

  • Q. Which country has the highest demand for English teachers?

    In terms of the number of English learners, China is the country with the most demand for English teachers.