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English Teaching Jobs in
Finland

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A truly multilingual country, and one with an incredible history, Finland remains underrated as a TEFL destination.

Famous for The Moomins, its sauna culture and, of course, heavy metal music, Finland is a culturally anachronistic and fascinating place to teach English as a foreign language. A Nordic nation - not a Scandinavian one! - Finland has a relatively strong demand for English teaching and a sky-high level of English proficiency.

Incredibly, over 90% of Finnish people speak another language. The majority pick Swedish as their second language, given how prominent it is in the south and western coastal regions of Finland. English, however, is comfortably the most popular “foreign” language, and that’s reflected in the number of English teaching opportunities you’ll find across the country. ESL teachers can find positions teaching young learners, and business people, working in summer camps, language schools and more. Finns of all ages seem eager to learn and improve their English, and with such healthy demand, even entry-level teachers can find work here.

If you’re looking for an alluring capital city, Helsinki will surely fit the bill. Stuffed with stunning attractions, like Suomenlinna, Allas Sea Pool, Amos Rex and Helsinki Cathedral, you’ll never be short of things to see and do. Helsinki isn’t the only show in town, either - Tampere, Espoo and Turku are also well-sized cities where TEFL job opportunities can be found.

So where can TEFL teachers find amazing jobs? What do you need to find work as an English teacher in Finland? What kind of salaries are on offer, and what’s the cost of living like? It’s time to put the spotlight on fascinating Finland.

English teaching jobs in Finland: an overview

How popular is English in Finland? We’ll let some statistics speak for themselves. For starters: 70% of the Finnish population - about 3.9 million people - claim to speak English to a conversational level or higher. 31% of English speakers in Finland say they use English daily, or almost every day, most commonly online or at work.

How does Finland rank globally for English proficiency? Out of 113 nations graded by EF’s English Proficiency Index, Finland slots into 14th position. It's impressive, and it points to both an interest in English and an English teaching infrastructure that compares well with anywhere in the world.

Why is English proficiency so high in Finland? There are two main factors: enthusiasm and quality of education. Across Northern Europe more widely, English proficiency is excellent, with Norway and Sweden ranked in the EF EPI’s top 10. As for the standards of education, Finland has led something of a global revolution. The World Economic Forum, for example, has heralded its ability to emphasise the basics, reject standardised testing and even start school slightly later than comparative nations.

For TEFL teachers, this is all a mixed blessing. It means that state school jobs are essentially out of reach since countless talented Finnish teachers can conduct English lessons. With such high proficiency levels, TEFL teachers might worry about a lack of demand for lessons. However, private language schools have become increasingly popular, while international schools also like to hire TEFL teachers from overseas, especially native English speakers. Private tutoring is also a lucrative industry, with young learners and adult students alike realising how important English proficiency is.

Download our teaching English in Europe guide

Quick facts about Finland

Capital: Helsinki
Official language: Finnish and Swedish
Population: 5.5 million
Currency: Euro (€)

Key facts

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 €50-60 - equivalent to about £47/$61.

Read our Finland Country Guide for info about salaries, living costs & requirements

Finland Country Guide

Private language schools

In Finland, TEFL jobs in language schools in Finland are relatively common in larger cities and are a useful avenue for TEFL teachers, especially those newer to teaching English. You will generally need a TEFL certificate and a bachelor’s degree to secure a teaching position. These schools provide a structured working environment, with full-time contracts and reliable shifts, as well as typically stable long-term employment. However, the salaries aren’t amazing, especially for newer English teachers.

International schools

International schools in Finland present a real financial opportunity for ESL teachers in Finland, but be warned: the competition is intense. You will need at least a bachelor’s degree (usually a master’s), a TEFL certificate, and considerable teaching experience to be considered. These jobs come with the best salaries and benefits of any TEFL job in Finland, including medical insurance, initial airfare and, in some cases, accommodation.

Public schools

It’s worth noting here that it can be extremely hard for non-EU teachers, and even teachers from outside of Finland, to get teaching jobs in Finland’s state education system. Still, it’s worth mentioning these roles because some do make it to job listings. You’ll need a formal teaching certificate, some level of proficiency in Finnish (or Swedish, depending on which region of Finland you’re in) and, of course, a degree and a TEFL certificate.

In return, public school jobs come with excellent job security, working rights, public holidays and students who are eager to learn English. Salaries are normally on the higher end of the scale - not as high as in international schools, but certainly higher than in private language schools, on the whole.

Private tutoring

If you want to teach abroad in Finland, you need a permanent job offer, so private tutoring shouldn’t be your first English teaching gig in Finland. However, once you’re there and settled - and if your employer approves - private tutoring can be an excellent side hustle. Eventually, it can be your primary job!

With amazing proficiency and demand for English, Finland is full of learners and those who want to take up specific subjects within the language. Business English, for example, is a popular choice. Preparing students for IELTS and TOEFL exams is also a worthy area of tutoring, but there are potentially hundreds of specialist areas students can test you with!

The more experienced and qualified you are, the better, and the more you can charge. Clearly, you’re going to have more demand in big cities like Helsinki, but don’t rule out smaller cities or large towns, especially those with universities.

Jobs boards

Check out the TEFL Org Jobs Centre for listings.

American students and recent graduates can apply to the American-Scandinavian Foundation for help with temporary work permits for internships in Finland.

Berlitz is a major TEFL company that hires in Finland.

If you want to work freelance, the Federation of Finnish-British Societies promotes language courses and tutors on its website.

To work at Mark Richard’s Business English school, you’ll need a degree plus a TEFL qualification or PGCE. A certificate in Business English is also helpful!

The Nordic School provides English lessons to Russian children aged 7-18 at summer camps in Finland. Degree/TEFL qualification is not essential, but applicants must have experience working with teenagers and some TEFL knowledge.

Unfortunately we don't currently have any jobs available in finland. We update our job centre daily so check back soon!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does Finland need English teachers?

Yes, Finland can use TEFL teachers, especially in language schools, international schools and in private tutoring.

Q. How much do English teachers make in Finland?

Salaries for TEFL teachers in Finland usually range between €800 and €3,400 (£718 - £3,050 / $900 - $3,850) per month

Q. Can an American become a teacher in Finland?

Yes, citizens of the United States of America can become teachers in Finland.

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

Per capita, China has the highest number of English learners. Therefore, China has the highest demand for English teachers. However, there is demand for TEFL teachers all across the globe, and online!