TEFL/TESOL in the Balkans

The Balkans is a generic term for an area in south east Europe with a rapidly growing demand for English teachers.

The reason is historical. Many of the states here were occupied for many centuries and it’s only in the past 20 years or so that they have become truly independent.

Some states, such as Greece‏‎, traditionally looked to the west (and English) whilst others, such as Bulgaria‏‎, used to look to the East (and Russian).

But now the Balkan countries all look to the west, learning English, and joining the European Union‏‎. If they are not already part of the EU, they are candidates or potential candidates. The likelihood is that within some years all the Balkan countries will be part of the EU.

This means that whilst it is easy for British or Irish teachers to go to the Balkans now and work, it is very difficult for non-European teachers to find teaching jobs there. 

For more on this see Teaching in the EU for Non-Europeans.

Note the usual qualifications to teach in the Balkan countries are a degree and a good TEFL Certificate such as the ICAL TEFL Certificate.

The Balkans comprise the following countries (with their EU status shown):

• Albania‏‎ (eu applicant country)
• Bosnia & Herzegovena (‏‎eu potential candidate)
• Bulgaria‏‎ (eu)
• Croatia‏‎ (eu)
• Greece‏‎ (eu)
• Kosova (‏‎eu potential candidate)
• Macedonia (FYROM) (eu candidate state)
• Montenegro (eu candidate state)
• Romania
• Slovenia (eu)
• Serbia (eu candidate state)
• Turkey (eu candidate state)
• Yugoslavia*

* Yugoslavia does not, of course, exist now; it’s left here for reference only.