Teach in Switzerland
Teach in Switzerland to experience a first-class education system and some of the highest teaching salaries in the world. With growing demand for international teachers in all subjects, there is plenty of opportunity while living and working in Switzerland.
Teach in Switzerland
Nestled between France, Italy, Austria and Germany, Switzerland is famous for it’s stunning landscapes, the Swiss Alps, its friendly locals and of course - chocolate! Living and working in this small yet diverse country offers limitless holiday options and an unforgettable teach abroad experience.
Public Schools in Switzerland
Among one of the top education systems in the world, Switzerland’s public school system (also known as the state school system) is excellent and free. Swiss teachers are among the highest paid in the world and competition can be fierce for teaching jobs, requiring a lengthy list of teaching qualifications. State school education is multilingual and with English being the official second language of the country, students learn English from a young age.
Private Schools in Switzerland
Private schools in Switzerland vary and includes international schools, private language academies, hotel schools (all Swiss hotel employees must speak English) and private finishing schools. Many teachers in private schools will obtain their position through networking and it is advised that teachers join an English language teacher’s association to maximize their employment opportunities.
Typically, English teaching positions will require teachers to hold a Bachelor’s degree and some form of ESL teaching qualification, such as a TEFL certificate. Many private language schools will also provide in-house training to their new teachers. For teachers with more experience and qualifications, opportunities lie in in higher education institutions, private finishing schools, private tutoring or hotel schools that offer good pay with benefits.
It’s important to note that all teachers wishing to teach in Switzerland must obtain a work permit. Work permits are awarded to teachers who have secured a work contract, which can pose great difficulty for some, as many Swiss schools prefer to employ teachers who already live in the country.
Apply to Teach in Switzerland
Your new teaching journey starts here. Discover opportunities to take your teaching career abroad with Teach Away.
Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest
teaching jobs around the world.
Teaching Jobs in Switzerland - Salary and Benefits
| Basic Benefits | Public School Jobs in Switzerland | Private School Jobs in Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $5,500 per month | $30 - $60 per hour |
| Teaching Hours | 30-35 | 30-35 |
| Working Hours | 42 | 42 |
| Vacation | 13 weeks | 4 weeks minimum |
| Class Size | 15 - 20 students | Varies by school |
| Accommodation Cost | Paid by the teacher | Paid by the teacher |
| Airfare | Paid by the teacher | Paid by the teacher |
| Bonuses | Varies by school | Varies by school |
| Locations | Locations all over the country | High demand for English teachers in major cities |
| Start Dates | Mid-August to mid-September | Schools hire throughout the year |
Switzerland at a Glance
Capital - Bern
Language - German, French, Italian, Romansch
Population - 8,341,000
Currency - Swiss franc
Government - Federal multi-party directorial republic
Major Religion - Christian
Climate - Temperate but varies with altitude
- Swiss law prohibits owning “social” pets (such as guinea pigs, mice, ferrets, pigs or other social animals) unless you have two of them, as animal isolation is considered animal abuse under Swiss law.
- In 2015, Switzerland was ranked the world’s happiest country
- Switzerland is home to over 450 varieties of cheese
- For over 190 years, Switzerland has been a neutral country during times of war.
- There are more than 1500 lakes in Switzerland, owning 6% of Europe’s freshwater.
Apply to Teach in Switzerland
Register for a teacher account to apply for teaching jobs in Switzerland