Finland is famous for teaching. I often look at the country for inspiration, because its public school system displays a progressive, holistic attitude. But what about TEFL teachers? Are there opportunities, and how much money can you make there?
Typically, TEFL teachers in Finland earn between €1,200 and €2,500 ($1,300-2,800) per month, with language academies and private classes being the main source of income. International and public schools can pay over €4,000 ($4,400). Private lessons make €15-30 ($17-33) per hour.
With the public school system providing quality education, Finland is similar to other northern European countries like Denmark and the Netherlands, in that there isn’t a massive demand for TEFL teachers. However, there are a few opportunities if you know where to look.
Searching for the perfect TEFL destination with the best earnings? Compare countries around the world with my free resource: How Much Do TEFL & TESL Teachers Make? Countries compared.
Options and earnings for TEFL teachers in Finland
Language academies are the best bet for less experienced TEFL teachers starting out in Finland, with private classes being a good supplementary option.
International and private schools aren’t as common as in other countries. They require substantial teaching qualifications and experience, just like public schools which require a degree-level certificate in education.
| Earnings Source | Per Hour (€) | Hours Per Week | Per Month (€) | Annual Estimate (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Schools | 11-29 | 30-40 | 1,500-4,000 | 18K-48K |
| Public Schools | 18-32 | 30-40 | 2,500-4,500 | 30K-54K |
| Language Academies | 12-25 | 20-30 | 1,200-2,500 | 14K-30K |
| Private Classes | 15-30 | 20 | 1,200-2,400 | 14K-29K |
As you can see in the table, the earnings for TEFL teachers in Finland are pretty good. They’re not crazy high, but compared to the estimated living cost of about €1,000-1,500 ($1,100-1,700) per month, most TEFL teachers should be able to survive and even make some small savings.
Getting a work permit shouldn’t prove problematic if you’re an EU citizen, and for those from elsewhere, being employed by a Finnish company will generally be enough to get a visa to stay and work.
Going self-employed will be tricky. In fact, for non-EU citizens, it’s pretty much impossible. If you want to do private classes, you’ll need another form of employment to stay legally for the long term.
Schools in Finland begin classes at 9 am at the earliest, and are usually done between 2 and 3 pm. The Finnish school year is similar to the majority of western calendars. Teaching begins at the end of August and stops in the latter part of May, giving a long summer holiday.
Talking of the summer, expect plenty of daylight. Even in southern regions, in June and July, the sun is up almost 24/7, and if you go further north, it won’t set from May to August.
On the flip side, winter is cold and dark. In the south, the sun only appears for 6 hours in midwinter, and in the very north, it doesn’t come up at all in December.
How much do TEFL teachers make in language academies in Finland?
Finland has far fewer language academies than most TEFL destinations. The quality of public education means there isn’t a massive demand for extra English teaching, but there are some opportunities available, with individual adults or business classes.
Language academies in Finland typically pay between €1,200-2,500 ($1,300-2,800) for a full time contract. However, many companies will only employ you for a few hours a week. Rough hourly rates are €12-25 ($13-28) depending on your level of experience and qualifications.
For a list of language academies in Finland, head over to ESL Base’s list. There, you won’t find many major international brands. With the exception of Berlitz, the majority of companies are present in Finland only.
If you’re looking for great value TEFL certificates, I recommend International TEFL and TESOL Training. Click the link for 15% off all courses (I receive compensation, so you’re supporting me, too). Not convinced? Read why I’d choose ITTT over other TEFL course providers.
How much do TEFL teachers make from international schools in Finland?
There aren’t many private and international schools in Finland. If you can hired by one, you’ll get a pretty good wage – anywhere from €1,500 ($1,700) to €4,000 ($4,400) a month.
With a teaching license and a few years of experience, you could get a job which pays somewhere in the middle of that range. If you don’t have the qualifications or experience, you may get a lower paying position.
How much do TEFL teachers make from public schools in Finland?
Public school teachers in Finland earn a decent wage. The major upside is working in a forward thinking education system, so teacher satisfaction is, on the whole, higher than in other countries.
However, you will need a degree level teaching qualification and a teaching license from your home country to get a look in. Even then, you’ll face tough competition from native Finnish teachers.
If you manage to get employment, salaries range from €2,500 to €4,500 ($2,800-5,000) a month.
How much do TEFL teachers make from private classes in Finland?
Private English classes in Finland earn €15 to €30 ($17 to $33) an hour, with your qualifications and experience affecting how much you can charge.
As mentioned earlier, becoming self-employed in Finland isn’t possible unless you have EU nationality.
That doesn’t mean you can’t give private classes. You just have to find some form of recognised employment to get a working visa and use private classes to supplement your income.
With a high percentage of the population already fluent in English, finding students will be harder than in other TEFL countries.
To learn how to attract new students, check out my article How to Get Private EFL/ESL Classes: Quickly find students.
Conclusion
The high standards of education in Finland mean it’s a hard place to get started as a TEFL teacher. A TEFL qualification probably won’t be enough to get you a steady job, and teachers beginning their journey in the industry will struggle to make ends meet.
Really, the best opportunities are for those with degree-level qualifications or plenty of experience.
When you get to that level, the pay is good. But, like the other Northern European countries, it doesn’t need inexperienced TEFL teachers, so unless you’re committed to the idea of living in Finland, you should probably look elsewhere.
Why not head over to my resource: How Much Do TEFL & TESL Teachers Make? Countries compared to see what countries around the world can offer?
