Tunisia

Situated between Algeria and Libya on North Africa’s Mediterranean coast is Tunisia , a vibrant country renowned for its natural beauty, impressive archeological sites, and fusion of Arab-Muslim and French cultures. While slim in size, Tunisia is brimming with history and tradition, and home to a rich variety of stunning landscapes, fresh, flavorful food, and plenty of opportunities for exciting outdoor excursions. Read on to learn more about what to expect living in the Republic of Tunisia! A Little History As the northernmost country in Africa with prime access to the Mediterranean Sea, Tunisia has been home to a number of influential ancient civilizations and foreign powers throughout the years. The Phoenicians first settled in the region as early as the 12th century BCE, and in the years that followed, a slew of other foreign kingdoms including the Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans presided over the land. In the 19th century Tunisia was invaded by France, and remained a French protectorate until declaring independence in 1956. For this reason, though Arabic is Tunisia’s official language, many consider French to be the country’s unofficial second language – nearly two-thirds of Tunisia’s population speak it. Among all its North African neighbors, Tunisia has introduced some of the most progressive social agendas throughout the years. It was the first Arab nation to grant women a number of secular freedoms, such as the right to divorce and access higher educa…

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 Tunisia. Education You will need to possess a bachelor’s degree in any subject in order to teach in Tunisia. Citizenship Though there are no specific citizenship requirements to teach English in Tunisia, schools typically prefer to hire native English speakers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. English Fluency If you are not a citizen of one of the above countries, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native or near native level to be considered for teaching jobs. Background Check A clean background check is not required for a work visa in Tunisia, but some schools might require applicants to submit a criminal record check during the hiring process. Teachers with a criminal record may have opportunities in Tunisia, but will need to be flexible on location and school when applying for positions. Medical Check A medical check is not required in order to secure a visa to teach in Tunisia, but some schools might require applicants to undergo one during the application process. TEFL Certifica…

Tunisia presents a growing English teaching market. Though geographically this North African country is relatively small and less of a global economic powerhouse than some of its oil-rich neighbors in the Middle East and North Africa, Tunisia still has plenty of opportunities to offer English teachers. While Arabic and French are widely spoken throughout the nation, English is often acknowledged as the country’s third unofficial language, and many Tunisians seek out English language learning opportunities to optimize their professional outlook and international mobility. Most TEFL-certified English teachers in Tunisia will find jobs at private language schools, and some also secure positions as private English teachers or tutors. Teaching at an international school in Tunisia is also a possibility, though you’ll need to hold the proper qualifications in order to do so. International Schools In addition to private language schools, international schools are also job options for qualified English teachers planning a move to Tunisia. For the most part, you’ll need to have a teaching license, master’s degree, or degree in education to land a job at one of these schools. International schools are private schools where the school follows a different curriculum than that of the national public school system, focusing on international education, and providing many, if not all subjects taught in a foreign language. Unlike your typical hours at a private language school, your hours as …

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 Tunisia, 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 Tunisia 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 the bustling capital city of Tunis? Or do you crave a picturesque, small town ex…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Tunisia 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 Tunisia is 1,000-2,000 Tunisian Dinar (TND) Anything significantly lower or higher than this salary range 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 Teaching English in Tunisia can be a part-time or full-time gig, though the latter is more common and to be expected if you are formally employed by a Tunisian school on a work permit. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week (typically 25 to 35) to consider. Will yo…

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 process like a pro. Below, we’ll outline the most common visa routes for foreign English teachers in Tunisia, and then dive into a deeper look at the required documents for work and residence permits 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 Tunisian consulate or embassy to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Feeling overwhelmed by all this visa talk? All-star ITA graduates Trevor C. and Adam L. both taught in Tunisia, and remark that while the work and residence permit application process can be time-consuming at times, it’s largely manageable thanks in large part to the assistance teachers receive from their Tunisian schools. Here’s Trevor, who taught in Tunis: “My employer helped with the visa paperwork and visits to the responsible party within the government. All in all, it was not a difficult process, since their support was so good,” he says. Conan also taught in Tunis, and summarized his visa experience: “My employer helped me with the process. Tunisia grants a four-month visa on arrival to Americans, three months to many other nationalities. Then I applied for a residency permit. The process is long, but possible, especially if you have a local to help you.” Soun…

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 Tunisia, though it is not a guarantee. Check out the Accepting the Right Offer section to learn more! Savings & Banking In Tunisia, it may take up to six weeks before you receive your first paycheck. Therefore, you’ll want to plan accordingly! We recommend having between 2,300 Tunisian Dinar (TND) and 4,000 TND in your bank account before you arrive in Tunisia to tide you over until you get paid. Once you’ve started receiving paychecks from your school, you may want to look into having a bank account where …

You have finally made it to the end of the Tunisia 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 Tunisia. 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 Tunisia to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance Jobs in private language schools in Tunisia can be found year round, except for during major holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Hiring for international schools typically ramps up May through July, with positions beginning in September. 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. 6 months before departure: Begin your research ___ Read through ITA’s resources, and watch a Student Affairs webinar. ___ Decide to work with recruiters, apply directly, or both! ___ List out your preferences and priorities. ___ Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences. ___ 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 2,300 Tunisian Dinar (TND) and 4,000 TND saved by the time you arrive. __…

Tunisians are friendly, and social. If you need directions, for example, many people will help you. There are scammers, but far less than the amount in other developing countries. Islam is an important part of life, but not for everyone. You'll hear the call to prayer, and many people will want to talk to you about it. The country shuts down on major holidays. Again, not everyone is religious though. Many people don't partake in Islamic customs, and the country has a few religious minority groups..If you are interested in teaching, international relations, travel then do it. I recommend Tunisia highly. Adam L. Tunis, Tunisia There are a lot of cultural differences between the US and Tunisia; however if you have lived in a Middle Eastern country before you should adjust quite quickly. Even if you have never been to the Middle East it isn't impossible to adjust, but the culture shock might be a little overwhelming at first. Knowing French or Arabic will make the adjustment easier because you won't have worry about the language barrier...In the summer the main social activity is to go to the beach. Sousse has some of the best beaches in the entire Mediterranean! As for the night life there are several clubs in Sousse and many hotels that have nice bars and restaurants. Many Tunisians like to meet and hang out at cafés as well. Erin G. Sousse, Tunisia