Italy is one of the most beautiful and alluring destinations in Europe and it is easy to see why so many international teachers apply to work here every year. There are so many reasons to consider teaching in Italy – historical world famous cities, tasty food, friendly people and lots of TEFL jobs throughout the country.
Featured Opportunities
TEFL Courses in Italy
You could get certified to teach English by taking a TEFL course in Italy, although these courses are limited. We recommend taking an online TEFL qualification course and getting training before arriving.
English Teaching Jobs in Italy
You can find TEFL positions with language, private and international schools in places like Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Palermo, Genoa, Bologna, Florence, Catania, Bari, Messina and Verona.
These companies recruit for TEFL staff in Italy:
• Linguarama – Milan, Rome, Turin
• Oxford Group – Lecce
Top Reasons to Teach in Italy
Italy is a great country to live and work in. Italians are warm and friendly people, the pace of life is slow, the food delicious, the climate temperate, and the wine abundant. It’s paradise. Teaching English there is a low paying job but the joy of the job comes from being in place with so much culture and history.
What’s it Like to Teach in Italy
It’s hard to get a job in Italy. There is bias towards UK citizens and a lot of red tape. This makes hiring difficult for people looking for a job, especially those without connections and experience. You’ll find a lot of underground jobs in the country. Private lessons are quite frequent around the country, especially in areas where there is a need to know English. But despite the difficulties, Italy is a great place to live. You’ll find a very friendly people, a food and leisure driven culture, and a country steeped in beautiful ancient history.
TEFL Salaries in Italy
Each school is different when it comes to pay. At the lower end of the market you will find schools paying 12 – 15 EUR per hour (often large chains pay this little). Smaller schools will go from 15 – 20 EUR per hour and private colleges 20 – 35 per hour.
Wages at bigger and more exclusive schools can go much higher. Private lessons can also be a good little earner. English in State schools is often confined to just a couple of hours per week so many parents will turn to the help of a private teacher to ensure their children get good grades. Hourly fees can be as high as 30 Euros.
English teachers in Italy can expect to make about 1,441-1,711 EUR ($1,065.78-$1,265.48 USD) per month, which is lower than the salaries in some other countries. Private schools do tend to pay better and also offer more job security, so those are more highly recommended.
You will also pay 22-46% in taxes, so make sure you factor that into your income.
Requirements
To teach in English in Italy, you will need a college degree and a TESOL/TEFL certificate. Experience is not required for many of the language schools but is necessary for university positions.
Visa
EU citizens are able to work and live in Italy without special visas. Non-EU citizens must acquire an Italian work visa, but this is very difficult to get. The company that hires you must be willing to sponsor your visa, and they must prove that you are an expert in your field and therefore not taking the position from an EU citizen. The Italians tend to be more strict about this so essentially they get their English language teachers from Europe and the UK. There are often very few exceptions to this rule. Italian work permits must be sponsored by an Italian company; they cannot be applied for directly by a potential employee or by an agency. Processing times vary between regions, but the average is about two months.
Italy TEFL Reviews & Testimonials
If you have been to teach in Italy and would like to share your experience please contact us.
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