Teach English in Sweden

Home to Vikings, smorgasbord and Abba, Sweden is the third largest country in the EU but the one with the lowest population. It’s known as the Land of the Midnight Sun because from late May to mid-July the sun never sets. If you are familiar with the Millennium Trilogy films, based on the bestseller novels by Stieg Larsson, then you will recognise the vast, snowy landscapes of Sweden, the many city islands and the thick pine forests. Two thirds of Sweden’s land area is covered by forest and hundreds of thousands moose roam freely in the woods.

While the number of daylight hours varies greatly at different times of the year (from 6 to 18 hours), Sweden is much warmer than other countries at this latitude and so outdoor activities are popular. In winter you can go skiing, skating and bear watching, while in summer you can stay in a cabin in the mountains and go for hikes with the possibility of not seeing another person for days.

If you’re looking to spend your money, Stockholm and Gothenburg are the places to go for shopping and nightlife. If you’re interested in gastronomy, Sweden is home to some of Northern Europe’s (and the world’s) best restaurants, or you can decide to spend your hard-earned Kroner staying in the Ice Hotel in Lapland.

One of the most celebrated holidays in Sweden is midsummer. Midsummer celebrates the arrival of the summer solstice and involves large gatherings with friends and family.  Events typically include the making of flower crowns, dancing around maypoles, and a leisurely lunch. The holiday falls between the 20th-25th of June and can be celebrated anywhere outside. Typically, Swedes head to summer cottages, parks or Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum.

Sweden is one of the most renowned environmentally progressive nations. Swedish people are so great at recycling that Sweden imports waste from other European countries to fuel its incinerators. Recycling is taught to children at a young age and is made accessible by providing recycling stations within 300 meters of residential areas.

Twice a day work breaks, which usually take place at 10:00 and 15:00 are essentially mandatory in the workplace. The Swedish custom is called  ‘Fika’ and it’s a communal cake and coffee break where colleges can gather to eat, drink and chat. The moment to enjoy a cinnamon cake and slowdown might just be the secret to Sweden’s success.

There isn’t a high demand for English lessons in Sweden, as the quality of English is high: almost 90% of the population can reportedly speak English. This is definitely a destination that is better suited to those with some experience. Having said that, you should be able to find jobs in the bigger cities of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo.

The Folkuniversitetet system (literally: community university) provides English lessons to Swedes, and many people would rather make use of this system than pay more for private lessons. This is where you will want to find a position as this is where most foreign teachers are employed. As another option, there are a few private language schools that provide lessons, mostly for professionals.

To be eligible for teaching positions, candidates typically need a BA/BS degree. The typical contract length is 9 months, with peak hiring seasons in July and August. To work in this position, non-EU citizens will need a work visa, while EU passport holders are exempt from this requirement. The teaching opportunities are typically open to adults and professionals. The average monthly cost of living is between 10,000 and 20,000 SEK, while the average monthly salary ranges from 18,500 to 23,000 SEK.