Teach in Bosnia and Herzegovina
ESL and certified teachers looking for teaching jobs in Bosnia and Herzegovina can expect to find work in the public school system as well as private language schools and international schools throughout the country Demand for ESL teachers is steadily rising in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while competition for jobs tends to be lower, making the country an emerging market for teachers abroad.
Teaching in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Options for teaching in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina will find the majority of job opportunities in bigger towns and cities such as Banja Luka and Sarajevo, where most of the international schools and private language schools are.
Salary and benefits while teaching in Bosnia and Herzegovina
| Teaching Benefit Type | Teaching Benefit Details |
|---|---|
Yearly Salary | 1,000 - 1,400 Bosnian Marks ($550 - $770 USD) per month. |
Working Hours | 25 hours per week. |
Relocation Allowance | Not provided. |
Vacation | Aside from summer holidays (June to September), there are breaks throughout the year (fall, Christmas, Easter and February). |
Health Insurance | Not provided. |
Contract Duration | 1 - 2 years. |
Teach in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Hiring
The school year in Bosnia and Herzegovina starts in September and ends in June. Teachers can be hired for international and private language schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina throughout the year, but the most popular time for hiring teachers runs from September to January.
Qualifications to teach in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina should have, at minimum, a Bachelor’s degree and an internationally recognized TEFL certificate in order to qualify for the majority of ESL teaching jobs.
On the other hand, international schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina require that teachers have a postgraduate certificate in education as well as relevant teaching experience. The pay is consequently higher at international schools compared to private language schools.
Apply to Teach in Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Visas for teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina
In order to apply for a work permit to teach in Bosnia and Herzegovina, teachers will need to secure a job beforehand, as schools need to apply to the country's Employment Service on the teacher’s behalf. While Bosnia and Herzegovina is a candidate for European Union membership, it is not yet a member, so this process also applies to EU citizens.
Living in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Living costs are incredibly low in terms of accommodation, transport and food, so you should be able to live, save and travel comfortably while teaching abroad in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Things for teachers to do in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a treasure trove of Balkan culture and history. The capital, Sarajevo, is incredibly diverse and eclectic, offering a unique blend of Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman architecture and a rich cafe culture.
It’s worth getting out of the main city and exploring other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The countryside offers a stunning landscape of rocky mountains, wineries, waterfalls, castles and fortress villages. Skiing is a popular winter sport in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and during the warmer months adventure fanatics can experience hiking, climbing, rafting, paragliding and mountain biking throughout the country’s stunning national parks.
Locals in Bosnia and Herzegovina are well known for their warmth and sense of hospitality towards visitors. Bosnia and Herzegovina also has the benefit of being affordable, with meals out costing as little as 3 - 5 Bosnian Marks (less than $3 USD). Bosnia and Herzegovina is also a great central base to explore the nearby Balkan countries.
Bosnia and Herzegovina at a Glance
Capital - Sarajevo
Language - Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian
Population - 3.801 million
Currency - Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark
Government - Parliamentary republic
Major Religion - Muslim and Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Climate - A combination of mediterranean and continental
- Bosnia is bordered by Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia and Montenegro, with a small coastline along the Adriatic Sea.
- The capital, Sarajevo, was the host of the 1984 Winter Olympics.
- The capital, Sarajevo, was the host of the 1984 Winter Olympics.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina is nicknamed the “Heart-Shaped Land”.
- The highest peak in Bosnia and Herzegovina is Maglic Mountain, at 7,828 feet (2,386 meters) high.
- The 2014 World Cup was a historic one for Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the country qualified to play for the first time since achieving national independence.
- Bosnia is bordered by Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia and Montenegro, with a small coastline along the Adriatic Sea.
- Coffee is the backbone of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s social life and the country ranks in the top 10 countries worldwide for the most coffee consumption per capita.
Experience teaching in Bosnia and Herzegovina
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