Austria

Landlocked in the southern region of Central Europe, Austria is brimming with culture, stunning scenery, and vibrant history and traditions. Awash with refreshing food and drink opportunities and pristine landscapes perfect for hiking, cycling, and skiing the day away, it’s no wonder that the country’s tourism slogan is “Arrive and Revive” — both locals and tourists alike will come back rejuvenated after a day spent under the bright Austrian sun. A Little History Austria boasts a long and storied past. Perhaps its most famous and most ancient resident is Ötzi the Iceman, the world’s oldest intact mummy discovered on the border between Austria and Italy in 1991. Since Otzi’s heyday in the Neolithic Period, a number of foreign powers have settled in the region we now know as Austria. The Celtic peoples were some of the first to call the area home, followed by the Romans, whose impressive architecture you can still observe at the Carnuntum Roman Archeological Park in eastern Austria. The House of Habsburg made its mark on Austrian history from 1273 to 1918, and the country endured Nazi occupation from 1938 to World War II’s end in 1945. Austria officially gained its independence in 1955, and today, the country is a parliamentary representative democracy respected around the world for its stability and dedication to social progress. Climate & Landscape Geographically, the country is bordered by the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany, …

Each country has its own unique requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Austria. Education You will need to possess a bachelor’s degree in any subject in order to teach in Austria. Citizenship Citizenship requirements for teaching positions in Austria vary depending on your school or program type. Most private language schools and international schools will only hire foreign teachers who are citizens of the European Union or able to work legally in Austria on a working holiday visa (this visa type is available to teachers from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei). Citizens of the United States have the opportunity to teach in Austria via the Fulbright Austria U.S. Teaching Assistantship program , or a working holiday visa. Employment opportunities for teachers of any other citizenships will be limited in Austria. English Fluency You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach in Austria.  That being said, you’ll still need to have a high fluency in English, and you might need to be more flexible about your school and location preferences to compete with nativ…

Austria has a robust education system, but if you’re not an Austrian citizen or member of the European Union, it can be tough to break into the teaching market there. That being said, there are still employment options for non-EU foreign teachers: Many choose to seek temporary work in Austria at a summer camp or short-term program , or relocate there via a government-run initiative like the Fulbright Austria U.S. Teaching Assistantships (USTA) program for U.S. citizens or the SWAP program for Canadians. On the other hand, foreign English teachers who are members of the European Union will be able to find jobs throughout the country at Austrian private language schools and, if they bear the proper qualifications, at Austrian international schools. Each of these job types comes with its own specific set of advantages, so you’ll want to understand the basic differences between them before you begin applying. Private Language Schools Private language schools are privately-run and typically for-profit language training centers that can cater to students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Many school-aged students will attend private language schools to supplement their public or private school language education, and adults will often attend private language schools to develop their foreign language competency and thereby advance their professional and career options. Unlike public or private schools, private language schools specialize solely in the teaching of foreign la…

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you in Austria, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in Austria, and we have them all outlined below. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa will overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Teaching in Austria Timeline, as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on track with your documents while applying for teaching positions. *Please note that ITA does not review applications for public school programs like the Fulbright Austria U.S. Teaching Assistantships (USTA). Please refer to the program’s website for program application details and deadlines. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your draft to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Demo Lesson Plan Some schools in Austria might ask you to teach a demo lesson during the hiring process. A demo is simply a short lesson in which you show your potential emplo…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Austria and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Austria is 1,540 – 2,140 EUR per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like you’ll be in a rural location with a low cost of living or working longer than average hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Most private language schools in Austria hire teachers as freelancers, so you might need to work for a couple of different companies in order to build up a full-time schedule of around 25-35 hours per week. If you sign a contract with a school sponsoring your residency permit, however, you will be contractually obliged to work…

While it’s possible for foreign English teachers who are not citizens of the European Union (EU) to break into the Austrian teaching market, it can be tough. The main reason? It’s pricey to sponsor a foreign teacher’s residence permit, so many Austrian employers prefer to cut costs by hiring English teachers who are already able to work legally in the country without a residence permit — namely, EU citizens and local Austrian teachers. However, if you are not a member of the EU but are looking to teach in Austria, fear not! You still have options. Below, we’ll outline three common visa routes for foreign English teachers in Austria and then dive into a deeper look at the required documents for a residence permit there. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Austrian consulate or embassy to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date and accurate information possible! Visa Types Residence Permit What is it? A residence permit is required if you want to stay in Austria for longer than six months and you do not have citizenship in an EU country (EEA, EU, and Swiss citizens just need to request a “confirmation of registration of Right of Residence under EU law” to reside in Austria for longer than three months). There are a number of residence permits available for foreigners looking to relocate to Austria, so you’ll want to contact your local Austrian consulate or embassy to determine which res…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. You will typically receive basic health insurance from your school in Austria if you are formally employed full-time by a company. Participants of the Fulbright Austria U.S. Teaching Assistantships program (USTA) are registered free of charge with the Austrian insurance company BVA during their assistantship. If health insurance is not included in your contract or if you want to supplement your school’s health insurance plan with a more comprehensive private insurance option, you will need to do your own research in order to determine which plan might be the best fit for you, your health need…

You have finally made it to the end of the Austria section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Austria. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Austria to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance Teachers who need a residence permit to work in Austria should try to find a job in advance of arriving in the country. Use this timeline to nail down your plan of attack, and remember that the peak hiring months for English teaching jobs in Austria are September and January, whereas August is a traditionally slow hiring month. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. Teachers planning to apply to Fulbright Austria’s US Teaching Assistantship program should consult the program’s website for an official timeline and application deadlines. 6 months before departure: Begin your research ___ Read through ITA’s resources, attend a Student Affairs webinar ___ List out your preferences and priorities. ___ Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences in Austria . ___ Ensure your passport will be valid for at least six months past your anticipated ret…

Especially in Vienna, coffeehouse culture is definitely a thing. It is very common to go and sit for hours in a coffeehouse or outside on its patio and drink a coffee and have a slice of cake and talk with friends or read. Gemütlichkeit - the idea of warmth/coziness/friendliness/peace of mind - is definitely abundant in Austria, and I've felt very welcome here. Austrians are generally very kind and friendly, although it takes them quite a bit longer than Americans to open up. Michelle H Vienna, Austria Scanning the letter anxiously looking for something I could do, I found The English Camp Company, with a headline of something along the lines of “Want to spend your summer teaching English in Italy and Austria?” My heart leapt for joy. “Yes! Yes! I do want to spend my summer teaching English in Italy and Austria!” Frantically looking for the job requirements I discovered that I was more than qualified for this job. I saw my favorite phrase that all new ESL teachers must love to see: No previous teaching experience required. Caroline C.