Teaching Jobs in Austria

Austria is a relatively small country, home to a population of roughly 9 million citizens. It is almost entirely situated in the mountainous region of the northeastern Alps, sharing borders with eight other European nations in all directions. German is Austria’s official language, but locals also natively speak Croatian, Hungarian or Slovene in some regions.

As you may have assumed, the capital city of Vienna is typically the most popular destination where to teach abroad in Austria. A major cultural, political, and economic hub of central Europe, Vienna is home to nearly one third of Austria’s population and is widely considered to be one of the most livable cities in the world. It is an extremely prosperous urban area and, having formerly been the capital of the Austrian empire, boasts a sweeping array of classical architecture and other enriching historical sites.

Other potential destinations where you might teach abroad in Austria include the smaller cities of Salzburg, Klagenfurt, and Graz. Away from the bustle of the capital city, these destinations have the potential to offer the international educator a more laid back, intimate experience of Austrian culture. Don’t fret too much about the decision; because it is such a small country, anywhere you teach abroad in Austria will never be too far away from the next destination!

Because it is such a highly developed country with a great education system, teaching jobs in Austria can be somewhat competitive among international educators. There are a variety of routes you can go while looking for a placement to teach abroad in Austria; public schools, international schools, private language academies, and universities are all examples of the various institutions that may look to hire you for temporary or full-time positions.

Austrians are taught English as a second language from a young age, but this does not change the fact that ESL placements remain the most widely available way to teach abroad in Austria. If you are TEFL or TESOL certified, then you can qualify to teach English in Austria to students at all different levels, from children first learning the language to businessmen looking to perfect their accents. Having prior experience teaching in an ESL environment will also increase your attractiveness as a candidate.

For most other teaching jobs in Austria, you will be required to speak German somewhat fluently in order to be considered for employment, as this is the most common language of education across the country. If you can speak German then this will greatly open up what types of subjects you might be able to teach abroad in Austria, beyond ESL teaching to other fields such as math, history, and science.

Austria is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, so your living expenses will be considerably high while you teach abroad. The flipside is that international educators are paid fairly well in the country; typical salaries for teaching abroad in Austria tend to approach upwards of 1,500 Euros per month, which is enough to get by comfortably (just don’t expect to be padding your savings while abroad by any means).

The most popular form of housing while you teach abroad in Austria is typically living in an apartment or flat with roommates, which will greatly help with the cost of the rent. Sometimes teach abroad programs in Austria will help you to secure accommodations, otherwise, there are a variety of websites out there where you can search for apartments or single rooms that are available for lease. Some teachers choose to live in a hostel for a short while as well, so they can search for housing in person.

Unless you are from the European Union, then you will typically need to apply for a visa as well if you plan to teach abroad in Austria for longer than three months. Your host employer will generally have to endorse you for work permission during this process; for more information relating to your individual circumstances, check out our Austrian Embassy Directory.

Central Location. Austria is located in the heart of Europe and is very well connected throughout the continent by its efficient train system. Take advantage of your location to explore as much of the country and neighboring provinces as possible!

Language Immersion. While you may be teaching English to locals in Austria, don’t miss out on the chance to reciprocate by developing your own language skills. German is quickly becoming one of the most widely spoken second languages in the world.

Adventure Travel. Last but not least, you will be living in the Alps while you teach abroad in Austria, so adventure travel opportunities such as hiking, skiing, and kayaking will never be too far away. There it is considered one of the most livable countries in the world!