Kyrgyzstan

Situated in the heart of Central Asia, the Kyrgyz Republic is an adventurer’s paradise. Brimming with nomadic culture, stunning mountains, unrivaled natural views, and a rich, spirited past, the country’s tourism slogan, “So much to discover!”, rings particularly true. Within the 199,900 square kilometers of the Kyrgyz Republic , you’ll find everything from tranquil mountain lakes to colorful folklore, unique handicrafts, and plenty of spirited Kyrgyz traditions. The Tien Shan and Pamir mountain ranges form the backbone of the Kyrgyz Republic ’s geography and the base for the country’s nickname, “land of celestial mountains.” Though over 85 percent of the Kyrgyz Republic is mountainous, the majority of Kyrgyz people live scattered throughout the country’s plains and valleys, mainly in rural areas. The Kyrgyz Republic’s capital city Bishkek is home to the country’s densest population settlement with just over 1 million people. History The Kyrgyz Republic’s history is largely informed by its nomadic roots. The modern-day Kyrgyzstan region was first settled by nomadic Kyrgyz, a Turkic ethnic group from Northeast China. In fact, the name Kyrgyzstan literally means “Land of the Forty Tribes,” a nod to the 40 nomadic clans that were later united under the country’s legendary hero, Manas. In the centuries that followed, various foreign empires laid claim to the region, including the Mongol empire in 1207, the Chinese Qing dynasty in the 18th century, and finally Russia (later the S…

Each country has its own 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 the Kyrgyz Republic. Education A bachelor’s degree is highly recommended for teaching in the Kyrgyz Republic, and it’s required if you plan on obtaining a work permit. Those who do not have a bachelor’s degree will still have some options to teach in the Kyrgyz Republic, but likely won’t receive work visa sponsorship. Citizenship There are no specific citizenship requirements to teach English in the Kyrgyz Republic. English Fluency If you do not speak English as a first language, you will 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 native English-speaking candidates. Nevertheless, non-native speakers of English qualify for teaching positions in the Kyrgyz Republic. Background Check A clean criminal record check is not typically required to work in the Kyrgyz Republic, though some international schools might require teaching candidates to submit a clean background check as part of their hiring process. TEFL Certificate A TEFL certificate is highly advantageous for all positions and may …

The Kyrgyz Republic presents a growing market for English teachers. The country’s two official languages are Kyrgyz and Russian, but there’s been an increasing demand for English language instruction as the Kyrgyz Republic globalizes its economy and higher education offerings. As a result, there are an increasing number of opportunities to find work teaching English in the Kyrgyz Republic today. Most TEFL certified English teachers will find jobs at private language schools, though it is also possible to secure a position at a private or international school in the Kyrgyz Republic if you meet the required qualifications. 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 languages. Class sizes at private language schools will typically be small — teachers might instruct a handful of learners of the same language level, or conduct private one-on-one lessons. Private language schools in the Kyrgyz Republic serve a wide array of students, from young children to t…

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 the Kyrgyz Republic, and we have them all outlined here 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 Kyrgyz Republic 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! 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. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Do you have a preference when it comes to your daily routines and surroundings? Do you want to live in historic Osh? Or would you prefer calling the modern city o…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in the Kyrgyz Republic 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 the Kyrgyz Republic is 27,000 – 54,000 KGS (Kyrgyzstani Som) 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 an especially 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 the Kyrgyz Republic is typically a full-time gig, as you’ll need to be formally employed in order to stay in the country on the W1 employment visa. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week (typically 30-40 hours) to con…

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 the most common visa routes for foreign English teachers in the Kyrgyz Republic, and then dive into a deeper look at the required documents for an employment permit and employment visa 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 Kyrgyz Republic embassy or consulate to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Visa Types W1 Employment Visa/Employee Permit What is it? In general, a work visa is a signed and stamped document issued by immigration authorities that allows you to legally enter your host country to work — or, in the case of the Kyrgyz Republic, to find work. On the other hand, a work or employee permit is a document typically obtained by your new employer which allows you to officially stay and work in your host country. In the Kyrgyz Republic, the most common type of work visa for foreign English teachers is the W1 employment visa, which allows you to visit the Kyrgyz Republic for the purposes of obtaining an employee permit. Employee permits in the Kyrgyz Republic are issued by the Kyrgyz Republic State Migration Service and cannot be transferred between employers. This means that if you secure two teaching jobs in the K…

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. Health insurance is sometimes provided by schools as part of the compensation package in the Kyrgyz Republic, though it is not a guarantee. Check out the Accepting the Right Offer section to learn more! Savings & Banking In the Kyrgyz Republic, it may take a month or more before you receive your first paycheck. Therefore, you’ll want to plan accordingly! We recommend having between 54,000 Kyrgyzstani Som (KGS) – 68,000 KGS in your bank account before you arrive in the Kyrgyz Republic to tide you over until you get paid. Once you’ve started receiving paychecks from your school, you may want to l…

You have finally made it to the end of the Kyrgyz Republic 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 the Kyrgyz Republic. 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 the Kyrgyz Republic to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance The hiring season in the Kyrgyz Republic is all year round. That being said, schools typically do not hire during major holidays, such as Nowruz in March or Independence Day in August. 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. 4 months before departure: Begin your research __List out your preferences and priorities. __Read through ITA’s resources, network with ITA alumni , and watch a Student Affairs webinar. __Read about Kyrgyz culture. __Ensure your passport will be valid six months past your anticipated return date or order a new passport. __Start saving up so you have enough money in your bank for start-up costs. It’s recommended to have between 54,000 – 68,000 KGS saved by the time you arrive. 3 months before departure: Begin compiling your documents __Finalize your international resume and cover letter. __Make a pho…

You will undoubtedly have an unforgettable experience that will enhance your life in ways that you won’t even understand until you’re there. You should do your research on teaching English abroad and really understand that this process takes a little while along with taking some elbow grease. The process will feel like a lot of stress, but it is so worth it. You need to do research on the country you’re going to as well. Understand the culture, be respectful, and try your best to mitigate culture shock. If possible, I would recommend going on a trip to the country you want to teach in beforehand just to get a feel for it as well. To get the most out of the experience, I would say stay away from just hanging out with other expats because you should really immerse yourself in the culture, and stay out of the bubble you left back home. You’re in a new country after all! Kendall L. ITA Alum I strongly recommend teaching abroad to anyone who has even a slight interest in it because it is such a unique and rewarding way to challenge yourself. I have learned so much about myself in the past year that will help me with anything I do when I go back to the US. Not only do you get to experience a new culture, language, and tons of beautiful new places, but teaching English is a very fulfilling and fun job! Your students will look up to you and really appreciate you sharing your knowledge and culture with them. Madeline F. ITA Alum If you are nervous, try to sign a shorter contract (usua…