English Teaching Jobs in
Finland

Requirements  

Let’s talk about the requirements to teach English abroad in Finland. You don’t need a bachelor’s degree to meet the requirements for a work permit/visa, though the majority of jobs will ask for one. As is always the case for teaching English abroad, it’s crucial to have completed one or more TEFL courses to teach English in Finland. 120 hours of high-quality TEFL study is the industry standard. Plenty of Finnish students will have a specific learning goal in mind, usually involving their career prospects or educational goals, so it’s also worth attaining an advanced TEFL certificate - having a certificate in Business English or English for Academic Purposes will put you in good stead. 

Depending on the role, teaching experience might be required. If you’re searching for teaching jobs abroad without experience in Finland, you might be best placed looking at private language schools in major cities like Helsinki.

You don’t have to be a native English speaker to teach English in Finland. An IELTS or TOEFL certificate should provide ample evidence of your English abilities. Alternatively, a degree from an English-speaking institution will do the trick. On the other side of the coin, having some Finnish and/or Swedish vocabulary goes a long way. While you’re not necessarily expected to be fluent in either language, it can be a real help for securing jobs in Finland.

Salary and benefits

Teaching salaries for English teachers in Finland can be extremely variable. The average monthly salary for TEFL teachers in Finland can fall anywhere between €800 and €3,400 (£718 - £3,050 / $900 - $3,850) per month. Freelance English teaching work is common, as is tutoring - hourly rates are in the region of €15 - €40 (£13.50 - £36 / $17 - $45). Summer job positions pay around €400 - €500 per week (£360 - £450 / $450 - $565), and include accommodation and meals.

There’s a strong culture of employee benefits and workers rights in Finland. Employment rights are the same for foreign workers as Finnish citizens, even if you don’t yet have a work permit. Usually, your working day in a full-time teaching position will consist of five hours of teaching per day. The rest of your shift will allow for planning and personal development. Many schools will provide private medical insurance - though there is impressive universal healthcare. Some elite institutions might also cover costs such as your initial airfare and accommodation while you look for somewhere to rent.

Living and working in Finland

Now you know how much teaching English can pay in Finland, it’s time to take a look at how much it costs to live there. What’s the cost of living like in Helsinki, the capital city of Finland?

For starters, it’s important to know how much it costs to rent. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre will set you back about £878/$1,162 per month, which drops to £679/$900 if you’re willing to live outside central Helsinki. As for utilities? Expect to pay around £105/$139 per month, while internet access is usually near the £17/$22 mark.

How about going out to try some Finnish food? An inexpensive meal for one costs about £13/$18, whereas a three-course meal for two in a mid-priced restaurant is closer to £75/$99. As for whizzing around the city on public transport? A monthly pass is €55.50 - equivalent to about £47/$61.