Teach English in Cyprus

A little island in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus is an ancient treasure to archaeologists, historians, and travelers alike. With traces of human history since 10,000 BC, one can say that Cyprus has had quite a bit of time to develop. The island country continues to hold a high Human Development Index rating and draws thousands of tourists to the Mediterranean each year. The dynamic mix of European, African, and Asian cultures makes Cyprus an amazing place to explore. Teachers will be able to immerse themselves in Cypriot life, from tasting the local halloumi cheese to seeking turtles on cascading sand dunes. With its deep history, rich culture, and great people, Cyprus is definitely a great place to teach abroad!

In order to teach English in Cyprus, most teachers will require a bachelor’s degree and/or TEFL certification. The average salary for teaching in Cyprus is $1,000 - $1,300 per month.

Private/International Schools: While the public education system in Cyprus is relatively well established, it is often difficult to find teaching positions in these government-run program. Instead, it is easier to contact a private school to teach abroad in Cyprus. Many teach abroad program providers have established relations with international schools in Cyprus, which can save you time in your job search. Most opportunities to teach abroad in Cyprus’ private educational institutions are found in the international schools. Classes in international schools are typically conducted in English, but the curriculum often follows some of the state’s educational guidelines and requirements.

Social Institutions/Volunteer: There are several opportunities in Cyprus to support non-profit programs and other social institutions such as orphanages by teaching English. Teachers tend to be in high demand at these organizations, and you may not even need to have a TEFL certification. Volunteer teaching abroad in Cyprus can be an extremely rewarding experience.

When and Where to Look for Jobs:

The easiest way to look for teaching opportunity in Cyprus is to apply for a teaching program that can match you up with a local school in Cyprus and possibly provide you with extra training material. There are also several teacher recruitment agencies that can assist with individual recruiting for private and international schools in Cyprus. Most of the hiring will be conducted before the school year begins in September. Pay attention to the specific application deadlines for various teaching programs as they may vary.

Qualifications:

There are some teaching programs that offer TEFL training and certification courses before placing you in a teaching position in Cyprus. Since most teach abroad opportunities in Cyprus are offered through private schools, the specific qualifications and skills that are required may vary. Schools typically require teachers to obtain a teaching degree from a 4-year university, as well as attend in-service training courses for professional development.

Salary and Cost of Living:

It’s needless to say that you shouldn't expect to be paid extremely well as a temporary teacher in Cyprus. Many international school teachers are paid around 1000 Euros a month, and possibly even less. Sometimes, those that teach harder subjects will have a slightly higher salary.

Average Cost of Living: While the cost of living in Cyprus might seem a little steep for teachers on a low budget, it is still much less expensive than living in the United Kingdom. With that said, staying in less metropolitan areas will typically yield lower living costs. Since more expats reside on the southern end of Cyprus, it has been known to have higher costs of living.

• 1 bedroom apartment rent: 450 Euros
• 1 inexpensive meal: 12 Euros
• 1 way transportation ticket: 1.5 Euros

Classroom and Work Culture in Cyprus:

• Student/teacher relations: Many international schools will have smaller student to teacher ratios than public schools. Depending on the type of educational institution, some classrooms will follow more traditional and strict guidelines. But for the most part, teachers want to get to know their students and connect with them on a closer level as it also helps in the teaching process.
• Dress Code:Teachers in Cyprus should aim to dress conservatively and professionally. Women should avoid wearing clothing that bares too much skin.
• Greetings: Teachers are usually greeted with a title followed by their name. Students are addressed by their first names only.