Are you dreaming of days spent roaming through the Italian countryside and love all the excitement of Rome, Florence, and Milan? Or maybe it’s the never-ending bowls of homemade pasta and weekend opera shows that seem to be calling your name. There’s no wrong reason for wanting to move your classroom goals abroad and figure out how to teach English in Italy!
Teaching English by day, exploring iconic places by night—here’s how to teach English in Italy and make it all possible.
There are opportunities for every type of teacher in Italy, from seasonal camps or private tutoring through full-time employment in local schools. Most Italian families place a high priority on giving their children a well-rounded and multicultural education, so the options are almost endless for native English speakers. To help you get started, we’re breaking down the best ways to teach English in Italy!
Do I need a visa to teach English in Italy?
Having the legal right to work in Italy is different for every passport holder. Work visas unfortunately entail significant red tape for non-EU citizens. Here’s the basic outline of visa requirements:
- EU citizen: No work visa or permit required, just legal working status under EU laws.
- Non-EU citizen: Need a visa to work in Italy. Canadians and Australians may want to consider applying for a Working Holiday Visa.
American English teachers are in high demand but are rarely offered work visas. A popular alternative for foreign teachers is to obtain a student visa. It’s legal to teach under a student visa if you’re enrolled in classes approved by the government, but illegal with just a tourist visa. The majority of American teachers come on a student visa and take Italian classes while abroad.
Getting the right visa is an important part of figuring out how to become an English teacher in Italy. Contact your embassy to decide the best visa option for you!
Can I teach English in Italy without a degree?
One key requirement to teach English in Italy is a bachelor’s degree—for most formal teaching jobs, that is. There are many informal ways to teach English in Italy for those without a degree or for a shorter period of time than a formal job requires. This includes applying for an English teaching program through a reputable provider, teaching at summer camps, or exchanging English lessons for room and board at a local homestay.
Many international schools in Italy offer entire curriculums in English, which means there are opportunities to teach English without being in a formal classroom. Maybe you’re interested in coaching a sports team, giving music or art lessons, or starting a hiking club. Get creative and be sure to consider any extracurricular or special interest teaching placements in Italy!
Other requirements to teach English in Italy
Ready to inspire the next generation of English students?
The majority of teaching jobs in Italy require a TEFL/TESOL certificate or equivalent CELTA certification. Schools prefer that teachers have some proficiency in the Italian language (but it’s usually not required), and it will certainly help when navigating your day-to-day life in Italy!
The other unspoken requirement to teach English in Italy is unfortunately based on money. There aren’t standards for teaching English in Italy salaries or costs of living, and most temporary or seasonal jobs are unpaid. Be sure you factor in the type of teaching job you’re looking for and the financial requirements before applying for specific programs.
How to teach English in Italy
There’s no one right or wrong method for how to become an English teacher in Italy. That’s the joy of picking a country with a focus on global education year-round.
The majority of English teaching placements are provided at private language schools or international schools, but seasonal jobs like summer camps are also very popular for English teachers. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
1. Decide when and where to go
The first step is the most fun! Is there a particular region of Italy or season that captivates you? If you’ve been dreaming of spending spring on the Mediterranean or winter by the Alps, pick a program that fits your goals.
Don’t feel limited to going just during the school year either. Even in summer, there are many opportunities to teach English, such as youth camps or private tutoring.
2. Choose your top programs
The most popular solution for how to teach English in Italy (without applying for full-time jobs) is to enroll in a program that offers TEFL/TESOL certification courses and teaching placements. These combination programs help both students and professionals become certified to teach English abroad and then gain real-world teaching experience in an exciting environment.
As you’re narrowing down the list of programs to apply for, make sure you meet all requirements to teach English in Italy for each program. The most common would be proficiency in Italian. If you’re applying for anything specialized like teaching music in Italy, pay attention to audition requirements or recorded performances you may need to submit with your application.
3. Apply for programs and pick your favorite
Go ahead, hit send on that application. You’re well on your way to your teaching dream.
This seems basic, but don’t forget to put application deadlines in your calendar! Carefully follow each application’s instructions and pay any fees necessary. If you are accepted to more than one program, it might be helpful to review the options with your school’s international education advisor to pick the best one.
4. Create a budget and determine start-up costs
There are two parts to financial planning for teaching abroad. You’ll need some funds to travel to Italy and start your life there before making any money.
Interviewing in a language school or establishing yourself as a private tutor might take some time, and it could be another few weeks after you’re hired until you actually receive a paycheck. Make sure you have enough of a nest egg before arriving in Italy.
You’ll then probably want to create a weekly or monthly budget to help stay on track. The average English teacher salary in Italy can vary a lot depending on region, so some teachers might need to budget more carefully than others.
If you’re enrolling in a volunteer program or other type of unpaid teaching opportunity, then you’ll need to budget even more carefully. Be sure to flash your student ID wherever possible to find out if there are student discounts!
5. Apply for a passport and visa (if necessary)
As we covered above, the legal requirements for entering and working in Italy will vary depending on your nationality. The most popular option is to work part-time on a student visa and take classes while abroad. To do this the legal way, the government must approve your coursework before arriving in Italy.
6. Book that flight!
Now it’s time for the exciting part: Scheduling your trip! You’ve done all the hard work and it’s finally your chance to relax (a little). Don’t wait too long to start packing those bags!
Talk to our FREE Online Advisor and get matched with 5 teach abroad programs in Italy
4 teach abroad programs in Italy to consider
Even if you want to teach English in Italy without a degree or TEFL certification, there are so many different ways to jump in. Here are four of our favorite programs to get you started:
1. Get TEFL Certified & Teach English in Italy!
- Why? For almost 25 years, the International TEFL Academy (ITA) has been the leader in TEFL certification for teaching English around the world. They provide all students with lifetime job search guidance and have proudly certified more than 40,000 English teachers. Their Italian program offers two exciting options: Either in-person for four weeks (choose between Rome, Florence, or Sardinia), or an 11-week online TEFL class prior to job placement in Italy. Between the program’s 100 hours of advanced coursework and six hours of instructor-led practicums, you’ll be ready to ace the TEFL before you know it!
- Where? Rome, Florence, Sardinia, or online
- Read International TEFL Academy reviews
2. Teach English in Italy for 3 Months with Greenheart Travel
- Why? Greenheart Travel offers a huge array of meaningful travel experiences for students and professionals and are top-rated for their teach abroad programs. They offer amazing opportunities to live with an Italian host family and teach English at a local school, without needing to be TEFL certified! This three-month program includes 15 to 18 hours per week in a local classroom, accommodations, and meals, plus an online Italian language course before the program begins. If you’re dreaming of teaching in Italy part-time and exploring the rest of the time, this program is for you!
- Where? Throughout Italy
- Read Greenheart Travel reviews
3. Teaching Jobs with International TEFL & TESOL Training
- Why? Get certified through International TEFL & TESOL Training and open the doors for teaching jobs in any Italian location calling your name. Whether you choose to jumpstart your experience in Italy with an in-person course in Florence or you take your ITTT course online, you can look forward to ongoing job support and guidance. You’ll find teaching jobs in Rome, Venice, Naples, and beyond, so let ITTT be your ticket to the perfect teaching placement.
- Where? Throughout Italy
- Read International TEFL & TESOL Training reviews
4. TEFL Certification with Via Lingua Florence
- Why? Via Lingua is a popular educational organization that provides intensive TEFL certification programs around the world. Enroll in a 130-hour (four-week) TEFL certificate course in beautiful Florence—all students also receive 10 hours of TEFL teaching practice. During and after the course, you’ll be supported by their employment counselors on each step of the job application process. This program includes accommodations in an international student dormitory.
- Where? Florence
- Read Via Lingua Florence reviews
Can’t pick? Sign up for MyGoAbroad and compare these programs side-by-side for FREE
Italy is an excellent place to launch your English teaching career!
La dolce vita is waiting for you.
If you’ve been dreaming of sinking your teeth into delicious wood-fired pizza and washing it down with locally made wine—and the fulfillment of teaching in a gorgeous place—then Italy is calling your name. Whether you’re headed to bustling Rome or the sunny Mediterranean, Italy is a great place to fulfill your teaching goals. Salute!
Look for the Perfect Teaching Program Abroad Now
Start Your Search