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English Teaching Jobs in
Germany
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It’s competitive, sure, but finding an English teaching job in Germany is more than worth it, whether you’re in ultra-fashionable Berlin, picture-esque Munich, industrial Dortmund or wherever TEFL takes you.
With its mix of historic prestige, European chic and economic heft, Germany is a constantly popular destination for TEFL teachers. Whether you’re looking to spend your downtime in the bars and clubs of Berlin, you’re more in-tune with the rustic charms of Munich, or you see yourself in a fashionable port city like Hamburg, there’s plenty to enjoy, lots of demand for English teachers, and lots of great job opportunities.
Levels of English proficiency are high in Germany, and it’s a popular language to learn at school. In particular, business English is the most popular type of English course to study in Germany. This means having a degree or keen interest in business or banking will put you in good stead - and teaching Business English can be a lucrative career choice!
With a high number of English speakers in the country, many schools are picky about who they hire. One thing you'll notice right away when you teach English in Germany is that you'll be up against a lot of German-born English teachers. That's because the standard of English teaching in German state schools is really high, and it's cheaper to hire someone local to teach English than it is to employ someone from abroad.
For many positions, German employers insist on at least two years of experience teaching English, but aren't as particular about a degree. That said, having a TEFL certificate and a degree will always boost your chances or guarantee that you get paid more for teaching English.
So let’s talk about English language teaching jobs in Germany. How difficult is it to find a great teaching job in Germany?
English teaching jobs in Germany: an overview
Where can English teaching jobs be found in Germany? With levels of English proficiency being so high in Germany - the country is ranked 10th worldwide by EF’s English Proficiency Index - there aren’t many routes to teach English in Germany to young people. Why? Well, the reality is that in the state school system, German teachers are doing a fine job, and there’s little need to employ English speakers from outside the country.
Where TEFL teachers thrive and are teaching English in Germany more widely, is in adult education. Private language schools and tutoring are the main areas where English teachers can find work in Germany. If you can teach Business English then you’ll be well-placed for a lot of great teaching opportunities.
For EU citizens, many TEFL teachers travel to Germany and pound the pavement once they arrive there – turning up at a school smartly dressed with your CV in hand can be one way to get into a job, as can word of mouth. For non-EU citizens, it’s imperative to have an offer of employment before you arrive for the visa.
While opportunities for teaching English to children are limited in Germany, one of the best ways into the country as a new TEFL teacher if you can get a role at a summer camp. Networking with other teachers at camp can open employment opportunities, and some camp providers run schools all year round. As well as English studies at summer camp, students partake in other activities such as sports and music. English teachers in Germany - like their counterparts in other departments - are usually expected to have some interest in organising extracurricular activities, so this experience really counts.
Quick facts about Germany
- Capital: Berlin
- Official Language: German
- Population: 83.8 million
- Currency: Euro
Key facts
Requirements
What do you need to start teaching English abroad in Germany? Do you need to have a bachelor’s degree to teach English? TEFL certification? Teaching experience?
Teaching requirements for teaching English abroad in Germany are less strict than you probably think. You will definitely need a TEFL certificate - a TEFL course of 120 hours is the industry standard. An advanced TEFL certification - especially in Business English or English for Academic Purposes - will undoubtedly help you find jobs.
Many employers will seek out applicants with teaching experience and a bachelor’s degree. For jobs in international schools and universities, for example, they’ll be mandatory. However, they’re not a prerequisite for a lot of entry-level English teaching jobs in Germany.
If you're wondering about moving to teach English in Germany, but you're not a native speaker of English, don't fret. While some employers do prefer native English speakers, and will sometimes say as much in adverts for jobs, not being a "native" speaker won't disqualify you from teaching English in Germany. As long as you have TEFL certification, ideally, some experience teaching English, proof of English fluency and, in some cases, a degree, then you should be able to teach English in Germany.
Many schools also require prospective English teachers in Germany to understand at least basic German. Some positions even require teachers to have a driving licence and their own vehicle to travel between classes. These extra stipulations can make it difficult for some newer TEFL teachers to teach English in Germany. However, if you do speak German and you're able to drive around to give private tutoring lessons - and especially if you teach business English - you'll have no problem finding work.
Salary and benefits
So you're able to teach English in Germany - how much should you expect to earn?
If you’re able to land a full-time English teaching job in a school in Germany, the average salary is about €3,179 per month ($3,422/£2,692) per month.
It’s more common for English teachers to work on a freelance basis, and to be paid per lesson. As a teacher, you can expect to charge around €20-€25 ($22-$27/£17-£21) for a 45-minute lesson as an inexperienced teacher, and up to €30-€40+ ($32-$43/£25-£33) as an experienced teacher.
As for benefits? If you’re employed by a state school in Germany, you’re entitled to a range of state benefits, since you’re a civil servant. These include pension payments, health insurance, annual leave, sick leave and maternity/paternity leave. Private companies, meanwhile, lure top TEFL talent by offering additional paid time off, help with accommodation, language lessons and performance bonuses.Read more about TEFL salaries in Germany.
Living and working in Germany
As an incredibly modern and cosmopolitan city, it’s very useful to look at Berlin as a litmus test for living and working in Germany. After all, so many TEFL teachers have Berlin on their bucket list of dream locations for teaching English abroad. So, what’s the cost of living while teaching English in Berlin? According to Numbeo, rents are on average half of what you’d pay in London. A one-bedroom apartment in central Berlin costs approximately £1,110/$1,355 per month, but if you’re willing to live outside the main hub of the city, rent of around £770/$964 is commonplace. There are lots of great districts within Berlin where you can live and teach English, whether you're working in international schools (in more economically privileged areas) or in language schools.Your basic utilities cost about £285/$357 - not the cheapest - but the public transportation system can zip you around Berlin pretty quickly, and it costs about £42/$52 for a monthly pass. While you’re out and about, a three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant is about £55/$70.
Types of English teaching jobs in Germany
Public schools
It can be difficult for TEFL teachers to find work in Germany’s public school system, mainly because the levels of English proficiency in Germany are so high. English has been taught in German schools for generations, and the standard of teaching - from German teachers - is at a high standard. However, there may be schools out there looking for foreign teachers (some schools might prefer a native English speaker), so if you have qualifications including a degree, TEFL certification and some teaching experience, it’s worth scoping out jobs across state schools.
Jobs boards
See our TEFL Jobs Centre to find the best opportunities to start teaching English in Germany and around the world.
The best place to find information about German language schools is the Gelbe Seiten (Yellow Pages).
English Jobs Germany is a comprehensive and regularly updated resource for English teaching jobs in Germany.
For a role in one of the country’s 2,000 Volkshochschulen (adult education centres), ELTABB (English Language Teachers Association Berlin-Brandenburg) is a great place to network with English teachers in Germany and find jobs in the area. Membership is €40 a year.
Related articles for teaching English in Germany
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is there a demand for English teachers in Germany?
If you’ve wondered about getting an English teaching job in Germany, then here’s the exciting news: yes, there is demand for English teachers there. However, it can be hard getting a full time position, so make yourself available for freelance and part-time teaching jobs while you teach English in Germany.
Q. Can I get a job as an English teacher in Germany?
If you have a TEFL certificate, you can become an English teacher in Germany. You may also need a degree and some teaching experience. Some employers prefer native English speakers, however, if you can prove fluency in English then you will be considered.
Q. How much do English teachers get paid in Germany?
Wondering how much you can get paid to be an English teacher in Germany? The average salary is about €3,179 per month ($3,422/£2,692) per month in full-time work. However, freelance work is common, so expect to be paid per lesson to teach English. As a teacher, you can expect to charge around €20-€25 ($22-$27/£17-£21) for a 45-minute lesson as an inexperienced teacher, and up to €30-€40+ ($32-$43/£25-£33) if you’re more experienced.
Q. How to become a teacher in Germany from the USA?
If you’re from the USA and you’re looking to teach English in Germany, you can use job boards, seek out teaching programmes, or network with other English teachers and find freelance opportunities.