Croatia - TEFL in Croatia
After the breakup of Yugoslavia and the Croatian war of Independence, the country was internationally recognised in 1992. The economy since the war has slowly recovered and nowadays Croatia is a popular destination for tourism and has a growing international business sector.
Schools & Teaching Conditions
State schools in Croatia teach English and some classes use English as a medium to teach other subjects. This means that English teachers are in slightly less demand than countries where English is not taught so strongly in state schools. However there is a very strong demand for English for Tourism and Business English.
A degree and a TEFL Certificate such as the ICAL TEFL Certificate are required for most jobs; some reports are saying that native speakers are in such demand that the usual requirement for a degree is being overlooked.
There are relatively few native speakers working in Croatia as oppose to neighbouring countries like Italy or Greece.
Contracts are usually for the academic year. In private language schools pay is around 600 euro (820 USD, 540 GBP) per month but the cost of living is quite low so this is enough to live on although not extravagantly.
Accommodation tends to be quite expensive and could take between 200 - 300 euro per month. It is also quite difficult to find in many places so you should try to get the school to organise this for you.
Visas and the EU
Most tourists can enter the country for up to 90 days. However, to work you need to organise a visa before you enter the country. The school should be able to help with this.
If you are already in the country you can still get a working visa if you find work (although again, the school will have to help you with this).
Although not in the EU at the moment, Croatia is a candidate country. This means that for the time being it is relatively easy for Americans, Canadians, Australians, etc, to get work and a working visa here. This situation may well change in the near future however.
Candidature for the EU also means that there is a strong demand for English as the country hopes to have greater business ties with the EU and English helps this. The demand for Business English is thus quite strong.
Culture
Croatians are generally regarded as warm and friendly people; teachers have respect here and classes will be formal and hard working.
