10 reasons to teach English in Italy
Europe has some TEFL scorchers, no doubt. But those who have the privilege to teach English in Italy get something altogether sublime. In this piece, we’ll write something of an ode to the famous boot peninsula. We’ll run through 10 reasons why it might just be the very best corner of the continent for you to focus your language-teaching dreams. Some will appeal to the wanderlust, others to the sensible side. But be warned: You could well be reaching for the passport and yelling ‘Roma!’ before the day is through…
The food – obviously!
You can bet your bottom dollar that you’ve got 10,000 taste buds calling for you to teach English in Italy. This is the home of pizza, remember? They’re best in the south, where it’s all cushiony Neapolitan dough and fresh Campanian tomatoes. There is also way more than the pies – think deep-fried Romana artichokes, saffron risotto in Milan, and smoky highland cheeses in the South Tyrol (washed down with a Prosecco, of course).
The history
Ever since the Etruscans raised their dramatic hill towns on the ridges of Umbria, Italy has been a hotpot of history and culture. Just take the capital. Its nickname is the Eternal City, on account of all those timeless palaces and majestic temples, some of which date back more than 2,000 years. On top of that, you’ll find grand duomos in Florence and Milan, along with medieval villages perched on the foothills of the Alps. History is everywhere you look.
The mountains
Italy is a very mountainous country. Everyone knows about the Alps up north. They run from the ski slopes of the Aosta Valley (some of the best ski slopes in the world, mind you!) all the way to the craggy tops of the Dolomites (perhaps the planet’s most amazing hiking terrain). However, it’s not just those on the menu. The Apennine chain goes down the backbone of the nation, offering remote valleys of wildflowers and hulking marble peaks where hardly another rambler can ever be seen.
The jobs
One great thing about choosing to teach English in Italy is the mix of jobs you’ll have at your fingertips. There are the traditional school jobs which could see you slip into either a state or a private institution to teach young learners. There’s a growing cohort of business English students, so plenty of corporations will be hiring. And you’ve got private tutoring on top of that. Or, you could hold out for seasonal positions that last a couple of weeks in the summer months.
The beaches
There’s nothing like a good old day at the beach to cure the stress if you teach English in Italy. Well…in this long, thin country, you’re never more than a couple of hours’ drive from either the Adriatic coast or the Med. Both have long lengths of sun-kissed sand, but the most famous are around Rimini and the Amalfi Coast. Oh, and we haven’t even mentioned Sicily and Sardinia yet – both Italian islands where the shores glimmer with turquoise water.
The lakes
The so-called Prealps around Bergamo and Verona hold a few shimmering lakes that might just be the most beautiful on Earth. Garda often tops the bill with its rugged ring of mountains. But there’s Como, too, a land of glitzy A-star villas that are haloed by vineyards and pebble beaches. Lesser-known Iseo could also be worth a look if you want something a tad more local.
Tuscany
Of all the Italian regions, Tuscany deserves a special mention. A land of rolling farms and wall-ringed hill towns that date back thousands of years, it’s considered to be a mecca for both wine and food. You’ll taste hearty meals of farm-to-table fare and hit vineyards that are renowned around the planet. What’s more, the weather is fantastic, with steady 70s+ and sun throughout the summer. Look to teach English in Italy around Florence or Pisa to be close.
Sicily
Sicily isn’t really like the rest of Italy. This island that juts out from the south of the boot beguiles with its curious medley of Greek and Roman history. It’s perhaps best known for the smoking volcano cone of Mount Etna, which you can still climb if you dare! Around that is a sun-bleached coast dotted with picturesque cities. It could be the perfect destination to teach English in Italy if you’re a couple on the hunt for romance.
Rome
The capital of Italy takes sightseeing to all new and dizzying heights. You could teach English in Italy for a whole decade and not check off all the wonders there is to behold. The mighty Colosseum stands next to the temples of the Roman Forum. The Vatican is also around, keeping watch over the Tiber and the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. You get the idea!
The pay
Those who come to teach English in Italy with a 120-hour TEFL certificate and a college degree can usually expect to earn above average for the European Union. You’re looking at around $1,500 USD/month max, but only for a working week of about 20-25 hours. That will go quite far in the countryside but is probably breaking even in Rome.
If you have anything to add to this guide, we’d love to hear your thoughts about this beautiful corner of Europe in the comments below. If you’re convinced it’s time to teach English in Italy, head over to our destination page for extra info.