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Teach English in Amsterdam
A city that’s alive with incredible history and culture, Amsterdam is a dream TEFL destination for anyone looking for a cosmopolitan, European lifestyle.
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With approximately 20 million visitors a year, Amsterdam reigns as one of the premier destinations in Europe. A cultural centre, Amsterdam has galleries like the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk, as well as countless music venues for both undiscovered and world-famous artists. From an architectural, culinary and historical perspective, there’s so much to see and do, endless appeal and creativity in the air.
The capital of The Netherlands, Amsterdam is in an interesting position regarding English teaching. The standard of English in the Netherlands is sky-high, as we’ll explore later, but the number of TEFL teachers wanting to live and work in Amsterdam is similarly stratospheric. High standards of English mean high standards of teaching, and it wouldn’t be unfair to say that Amsterdam is particularly competitive in terms of teaching jobs.
So, how could a TEFL talent launch a career in teaching English over in Amsterdam? Is it easy to find work in one of Europe’s most-visited cities?
Let’s explore.
Amsterdam: An overview
If you wondered whether the Netherlands had a high level of English proficiency, wonder no more. EF’s English Proficiency Index ranks them number one in the world, and they’ve held a top 3 position since 2011.
That points to an education system that works extremely well. Indeed, that is the case. Satisfaction with public services in the Netherlands more broadly is very high, and the standard of living is excellent, particularly in Amsterdam. The city ranked second in the world for quality of life in a 2024 ranking, just below Luxembourg.
With fantastic public services, so much to see and do, and very high English proficiency, it’s undoubtedly a dream destination for highly qualified TEFL teachers who want to experience mainland Europe.
Requirements for teaching English in Amsterdam
So what do you need to meet the teach English abroad requirements for a city like Amsterdam? Though the requirements to teach English in Europe can vary pretty widely, Amsterdam’s typical requirements are as you might expect for a major city with high English proficiency..
You’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree or a master’s for jobs in private schools or universities. While you can technically teach English abroad without a degree in Amsterdam, it’s rare. In terms of TEFL courses, you’ll need to have completed a TEFL certificate with at least 120 hours of training. Experience is usually highly desired.
Can you teach English as a non-native speaker in Amsterdam? Why, yes - as previously mentioned, English is a popular degree subject in the Netherlands, and so many English teachers actually come from there. If you aren’t Dutch, but you can prove fluency in English (IELTS, TOEFL or a degree from an English-speaking university are particularly helpful here), you ought to have a chance.
To earn a work visa and residency permit, you’ll need to have secured work before heading to Amsterdam. If you’re an EU citizen, you won’t need to fill out the same amount of paperwork - great news for Irish TEFL teachers!
Salary and cost of living in Amsterdam
Salary
When it comes to teaching English abroad, salary is a major consideration. Amsterdam is, of course, a major European capital city, and as you might expect, can be more expensive to live in than other cities or towns. However, salaries are typically higher, in order to meet the cost of living.
Much depends on the kind of school you work in, and where in Amsterdam you want to live. Typically, you should expect to earn somewhere around €2,000 – €3,200 ($2,400 - $3,840/£1,880 - £3,008) per month.
Benefits
Benefits can vary but may include health insurance, vacation time, sick leave, and in some cases, housing allowances or relocation assistance. It is important to confirm these details with the employer.
Cost of living
So, what about the cost of living? In terms of rent, a one-bedroom city centre apartment is around $2040/£1607, which reduces to $1670/£1,315.20 outside the city centre. Your usual utilities come to a princely $255/£200, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-priced restaurant costs about $90/£70.
So, yes, the cost of living can be high, but teaching salaries in Amsterdam are higher than you might find in most other locations.
Download our teaching English in Europe guide
English teaching jobs in Amsterdam
English lessons are compulsory in Dutch schools and taught from a very early age. English is also a popular degree subject. The public sector, then, can be fruitful for prospective English teachers hoping to land a teaching job in Amsterdam. Jobs in schools can typically be found online, though some employers like applicants who apply in person.
There are also private language schools, international schools or similar private institutions within Amsterdam. These are good recruitment routes for budding TEFL teachers with a TEFL certificate.
Having a niche will definitely help in finding a teaching job. Business English and English for Academic Purposes, for example. Or, you can prepare English learners for exams like the IELTS or TOEFL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much do English teachers make in Amsterdam?
Wages for English teachers in Amsterdam are typically quite high, ranging from €2,000 – €3,200 ($2,400 - $3,840 USD/£1,880 - £3,008). More can be earned in institutions like private schools or international schools.
Q. Is there a demand for English teachers in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands has the highest level of English proficiency for any nation where it’s not the native language. So: yes. The standard is very high, but teachers with various levels of qualification and experience should find TEFL jobs in the Netherlands.
Q. How do I become an English teacher in Amsterdam?
To become an English teacher in Amsterdam, you’ll usually need a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certificate and some level of previous teaching experience.
Q. Can Americans teach in the Netherlands?
Yes, Americans can teach in the Netherlands, provided they meet specific job requirements for TEFL roles.