Teach English in Finland

Finland is a small country in Northern Europe, with borders with Russia, Norway and Sweden. It’s clean, modern and safe and the standard of living is high. Finland actually has one of the highest per capita income rates in the world, so you can begin to imagine the kind of lifestyle you will lead here.

Finland has almost 200,000 lakes! The outdoor lifestyle is popular here, with locals enjoying a wide variety of winter sports and in summer heading out to their holiday cottages on one of the many lakes. The weather seems to be the biggest issue for visitors, particularly the long winters, but if you enjoy a bit of snow, then maybe Finland is for you. Don’t forget, long winters mean ice skating, skiing, ice fishing and, more importantly, hot, steamy saunas. It’s also claimed to be the home of Santa Claus, so a reindeer sleigh ride is never far away.

Besides, even though being so far north means that you experience the Arctic night (when the sun never comes up), it also means you can experience the midnight sun (when the sun never sets).

Finland has an excellent education system and consistently ranks at the top in world rankings. Teaching is no laughing matter here so it’s helpful if you have experience. Officially, Finland is bilingual in Finnish and Swedish but only a small percentage of the population can speak Swedish. Most of the population can speak English to a certain level.

There are quite a few language schools in Finland where you will be able to find work. Most of the time you will work as a freelance teacher rather than on a contract, so you will work shifts and your days might be a little disjointed.

On the plus side, English is currently in high demand in the business community, so you can expect to be teaching a few suits, which is usually good for your pocket. If you are looking for a short-term opportunity, there is a demand for teachers in December and January for winter language camps.

To qualify for this position, a BA/BS degree is required. Contract lengths typically range from 6 to 12 months, with peak hiring seasons in August and December. In order to work in this position, non-EU citizens will need a residence permit based on employment, while EU passport holders are exempt from this requirement. The position is open to students and professionals alike. The average monthly cost of living is between 1,200 and 1,350 EUR, while the average monthly salary ranges from 1,200 to 2,500 EUR.