In this series of articles, we’ll look at the five “W’s” of teaching English in Italy.

“To whom do I want to teach?“

 It’s a good question, and if you can answer it before getting your TEFL certificate, you can do some extra research and tailor your studies to your future students. For example, CELTA by Cambrdge also offers a YL (young learners) extension that will prepare you specifically for the kindergarten, elementary and middle school classroom.

However, if you haven’t got the extra time or money to extend your studies, you can always purchase a handful of textbooks (resource links on the links page) to help you prepare lessons for students with specific learning objectives. The internet offers a variety of materials and resources for ESL teachers, also. So, for example, you could complete a CertTESOL or CELTA course, then start building your library with textbooks and materials that would help individuals learn English in business, technology or travel. (three often-requested courses in Italy). Having your own textbooks and materials will serve you well in your teaching career. You will always have just the right resource for every student.

It may also be useful to search the internet to understand a bit about the students you will be teaching. For example, if you teach elementary-school students, you will probably be working with them in groups of 4-6 in a private setting and as many as 25 in a public school. You will need to prepare lessons very differently for these two groups, as the former will probably be concentrated and interested while the latter may require a bit more energy spent on classroom control and will respond well to activities-based learning. Or if you want to teach advanced business English to adults, you will probably need to have a good grasp on the Italian language and a bit of experience teaching professionals. Do the research: many teachers have blogs where they describe some details of their ESL experiences in Italy. Get as much information as you can.

If you can answer the “Who?” question before you begin your ESL adventure in the “bel paese“, you will be a step ahead of others wanting to teach English in Italy. Coming up next: “What type of English do I want to teach?"

Teach English in the province of SALERNO, Italy 

Teachers needed to facilitate exams for Air Traffic Controllers at Naples Airport.  Candidates must choose five days (can be consecutive, but not obligatory) between May 11th and June 20th to moderate the exam sessions.  Hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Hourly rate is 16/hr. Contact Frankie at 089-29-60-061 or 333-198-1636 for further details. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

BRITISH INSTITUTES WALL STREET INSTITUTE 84123 Salerno (SA) 23, c. G. Garibaldi tel: 089 2584904 fax:089 2584903

Update: currently no teaching positions open, but send CV to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Applicants will be contacted when jobs become available.

Requirements: "right now, the CELTA"

CENTRO STUDI CARTESIO di AMBRUNZO MICHELANGELO & SANSONE CRISTINA 84018 Scafati (SA) 365, v. De Gasperi tel: 081 8504373

TRINITY POINT by ASSOCIAZIONE CULTURALE WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE 84083 Castel San Giorgio (SA) 5/1, v. Europa tel: 081 952948 fax:081 5162244

INLINGUA SCHOOL 84100 Salerno (SA) 18, v. P. Da Eboli tel: 089 231769 fax:089 231769 2000

E.....Lingue Di Umberto Fera E C. S.A.S. 84122 Salerno (SA) 206, CORSO GARIBALDI GIUSEPPE tel: 089 231880

Accademia Leonardo Di Ferraro Carmela Sandra Centro Traduzioni Interpretariato 84098 Pontecagnano Faiano (SA) 10, VIA PUGLIA tel: 089 382053

British Institutes Di Janice Hazell 84018 Scafati (SA) 43, VIA MELCHIADE PIETRO tel: 081 8635631

UPDATE: currently no teaching positions open, but send CV to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Applicants will be contacted when jobs become available.

Requirements: "no TEFL certification required, but sufficient knowledge of the language (A level) is necessary"

Cambridge School Di Maiese Nicola Centro D'Inglese 84078 Vallo Della Lucania (SA) VIA PASSARELLI tel: 0974 3209

Eclas Di Giuseppe Mancuso 84087 Sarno (SA) 63, VIA LANZARA tel: 081 967495 English Club Serv. Sas 84025 Eboli (SA) 10, VIA XXIV MAGGIO tel: 0828 363446

English Club Serv. Sas 84025 Eboli (SA) 10, VIA XXIV MAGGIO TEL0828 363446 

UPDATE: possible EFL job openings in September and October. Send CV to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Requirements: "usually the CELTA, but if we find a teacher with experience or skills..."

Erochin Consiglia English Communications Language Studio 84043 Agropoli (SA) 15, VIA GENTILE G. tel: 0974 824321

European Study Centre Trinity Examination Centre 84085 Mercato San Severino (SA) 49, VIA RIMEMBRANZA tel: 089 821054

UPDATE: possible EFL job openings in September and October. Send CV to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

International English Di Rodella Carrie Elise 84047 Capaccio (SA) VIA DALLA CHIESA GENERALE CARLO ALBERTO tel: 0828 723542

Koala Club English Centre Centro Linguistico Culturale 84129 Salerno (SA) 212, VIA POSIDONIA tel: 089 726168, 089 6307108

OXFORD CENTRE Linguistic Communication Centre Sas 84122 Salerno (SA) 29, VIA VELIA tel: 089 225532

Oxford School Of English Corsi Di Lingua Inglese 84014 Nocera Inferiore (SA) 13, VIA MATTEOTTI GIACOMO tel: 081 927747

UPDATE: current job openings for EFL teachers for the 2009/10 school year. Send CV to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Requirements: "some experience"

Oxford School Of English Di Patrizia Capone 84091 Battipaglia (SA) 3, PIAZZA GIOVANNI FALCONE tel: 0828 341192

S.I.S. School Of International Studies S.R.L. 84013 Cava De' Tirreni (SA) 18, VIA PARISI FRANCESCO GENERALE tel: 089 4689414

Santoriello Immacolata Consulenza Informatica Traduzioni Altri Servizi Di Istruzione 84085 Mercato San Severino (SA) 16, TRAVERSA I RIMEMBRANZA tel: 089 826485

Location, location, location!

Italy isn't cheap; the North is generally more expensive than the South, however salaries are generally higher in the North. Taking advantage of markets where local sellers will bargain is a good idea. Each city has its own markets where you can find a large variety of goods for sale, and usually at very affordable prices. Apart from the markets, and buying out of season, Italy isn't a place for bargains.

taly has the most opportunities for ESL teachers in Western Europe, who are in high demand especially in September and January. but with a fairly high number of vacancies all year round. By Western European standards, salaries are not bad at 700-1500 Euro per month. Sometimes, employers provide subsidized accommodation. There are many opportunities in private language schools, (even for those without experience or TEFL certification) though teachers with EU citizenship will be easier for an employer to hire. Some non-EU prospective teachers who are under 31 years old can take advantage of a Working Holiday Visa. If you are over 31, then be prepared to provide more qualifications such as a university degree and TESOL certificate, and ideally, some experience.

The Drive to Work

Always amazing: the beauty of the scenery we drive through every day on our way to EFL jobs in Italy. 

 Here's one teacher's perspective on the morning commute:

 " The sea and coastline and the mountains and valleys are truly breathtaking, especially in spring. In short, if I have to sit in traffic (or in the middle of a herd of goats), there is no country I would rather be in than Italy."

  - Gwen, Capaccio (SA) Italy/*photo by Gwen Lapis

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