Italy

Teeming with millennia of fascinating history, an unparalleled art and food scene, and no shortage of colorful traditions, Italy is a force to be reckoned with. Home to over 60 million people, the Italian Republic, or la Repubblica Italiana as its known by locals, is the birthplace of such legendary artists as Michelangelo, Botticelli, da Vinci, and Vivaldi, as well as a number of formative world events and civilizations like the Renaissance and the great Roman Empire. A parliamentary republic, Italy is tied with China for the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and you’ll find these impressive landmarks scattered throughout a breathtaking and diverse terrain — from evergreen Alps to pristine glacial lakes and breezy meadows brimming with wildflowers, Italy’s natural views are among the most varied and picturesque in the world. The country’s tourism slogan, “Italy leaves its mark,” neatly encapsulates the nation’s unmatched grandeur and style. With its wide offering of exhilarating sites and scenery, Italy never ceases to delight and inspire. History & Culture Italy’s prominent location against the Mediterranean Sea has established it as a major stopping point for a number of ancient civilizations and trading groups throughout the years. The city of Rome was founded in 27 BC, marking the beginning of the storied Roman Empire which in its prime would go on to stretch across the entire Italian peninsula as well as the modern-day countries of Greece, Spain, France, Britain, and t…

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 Italy. Education You will typically need to possess a bachelor’s degree in any subject in order to teach in Italy. Though a bachelor’s degree is not an official visa requirement for Italy, many schools highly prefer to hire teachers who are in possession of one. A bachelor’s degree is required in order to teach with an international school or the Fulbright U.S. Teaching Assistantship program. Citizenship Citizenship requirements for teaching positions in Italy 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 European Economic Area, or who are already able to work legally in Italy on a student visa or working holiday visa (this visa type is available to teachers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea). Citizens of the United States have the opportunity to teach in Italy via the Fulbright U.S. Teaching Assistantship program. Long-term employment opportunities for teachers of any other citizenship will be limited in Italy, though su…

There is considerable demand for English language instruction in Italy, but if you don’t have EU or EEA citizenship, possess Italian residency, or already have working privileges in the country (like those allotted by a student visa), it can be extraordinarily tough to break into the teaching market. Those able to work legally in Italy will be able to find positions instructing learners of all ages, from children to teens and adults. Many Italians seek out English language learning opportunities for academic purposes, to advance their career goals, and to communicate with English-speaking business partners. English teaching jobs can be found throughout Italy, though more densely-populated cities like Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples, Turin, and Bologna hold the most opportunity and biggest markets for prospective ESL teachers. The majority of foreign English instructors in Italy teach at private language schools and summer camps, and/or work online or in person as private tutors. Qualified English instructors can apply to teach English with the government-run Fulbright program, and if you possess a teaching license or master’s degree you will also be able to secure positions in international schools. Each of these job types comes with their 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…

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in Italy, and we have them all outlined below. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa may overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Italy Timeline, as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on top of your visa documents while applying for teaching positions. 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. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Resume and Cover Letter section! Consider the following resume and cover letter pro tip from ITA graduate Alexa H. while you’re preparing for your move to Italy: “I recommend translating your cover letter and resume into Italian before you come,” says Alexa, who taught in Bologna. “Not every school is run by a native speaker, so it can be helpful if you have English and Italian versions. When you arrive, you can hit the ground running and start dropping off your documents to every English school in the city!…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Italy 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 Italy is 800 to 1,300 EUR per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. Salaries can vary based on location, employer, teaching hours, and qualifications. 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 Teaching English in Italy can be a part-time or full-time gig. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week (typically 20-25 hours) to consider. Will you have to work in the morning for a few hours and then come back fo…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork, but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this visa process like a pro. Below, we’ll outline four potential visa routes for foreign English teachers in Italy before diving into a deeper look at the required documents for a student visa there, which is one of the most common visa options for non-EU and non-EEA foreign teachers planning a move to Italy. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Italian embassy or consulate to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! As a final tip before we begin, ITA graduate Madelyn H. advises teachers relocating to Italy to get started early with the visa process. “You have to make sure you have every detail right,” she says. “If you are thinking about coming to Italy, know that everything is slow so start your process way ahead of time.” Good advice Madelyn! Now, let’s get started… Visa Types Introduction First, figure out which visa you are eligible for. Citizens of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) can work in Italy without a permit and thus do not need to obtain prior authorization before visiting the country. Rather, all EU and EEA nationals will be able to enter Italy by simply presenting an identification document, and later registering at a local police station fo…

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. For the most part in Italy, you will only receive health insurance benefits if you are employed by a school legally on a work permit. If you decide to work in Italy on a student visa, you will be responsible for providing proof of health insurance that will cover you for the duration of your intended period of stay in the country. Each consulate has different requirements (so be sure to double check with the consulate in your jurisdiction) but typically it is required that your insurance policy covers all medical expenses, repatriation, and hospitalization in Italy for at least 30,000 EUR. Wit…

You have finally made it to the end of the Italy section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous sections laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Italy. This timeline is not only for the planners and check-list lovers (although you will love this too). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Italy to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Use the below timelines to nail down your plan of attack, and remember that the peak hiring months for English teaching jobs in Italy are September, October, and late January, whereas August and late December to mid-January are traditionally slow hiring times. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow these timelines as closely as possible. Teachers planning to apply to the Fulbright program should consult the program’s website for an official timeline and application deadlines. Finding a Job on the Ground with a Student Visa While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. 4-6 months before departure: Begin your research ___ List out your preferences and priorities. ___ Read about alumni experiences. ___ Read through ITA’s resources, attend Student Affairs webinar. ___ Network with ITA alumni, read alumni stories,and watch alumni videos, etc. ___ Rea…

I took a job working at different summer camps around Italy (Dogliani & Tuscany) and got to live with an Italian host family nearby to one of the camps. Living with the Molineris was definitely one of my favorite experiences in Italy. The set-up of the camps was really enjoyable and I learned an enormous amount about teaching, myself, and Italian culture during this time. Annie C. Tuscany, Italy I used to work at my school 36 hours/week making merely €10 euros/hour (that's right... save your money before you come!). I was not able to save when I only worked at the school, but now I am teaching more private lessons and earning much more. The school offers courses in several languages, and my English students are anywhere from 11-65 years old. Children, university students, business or government professionals... you name it. Most of my "classes" are individual sessions or small group courses. I do not get vacation time, I simply request time off (standard time off is given for holidays). Alyssa D. Rome, Italy