Top English teaching jobs in Kazakhstan

Teaching in Kazakhstan

Options for teaching in Kazakhstan

Teaching in Kazakhstan is possible in both public schools and private international schools. Teach Away hires teachers for Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools, an expanding group of publicly-funded schools that aim to educate the future intellectual leaders of Kazakhstan. Teaching in this program is an excellent, highly-paid opportunity for experienced, licensed teachers.

Salary and benefits when teaching in Kazakhstan

Teachers who travel to Kazakhstan can expect to earn a generous salary and benefits including housing, utilities, and airfare.

ESL teachers and certified teachers teaching in Kazakhstan enjoy these historic buildings and mountainscapes

Teach in Kazakhstan – Hiring

The school year in Kazakhstan begins in September and lasts until around June. Hiring will usually occur in the summer prior to the upcoming school year.

Teach in Kazakhstan - Hiring

What you’ll need to teach in Kazakhstan

Qualifications needed to teach in Kazakhstan

Candidates applying to teach in Kazakhstan should have a teaching license in their home state or country, as well as previous classroom teaching experience.

Visas for teachers in Kazakhstan

Teach Away placement coordinators provide assistance through the visa application process, although teachers are ultimately responsible for their own visa application. Teachers applying for a visa to Kazakhstan should be prepared to complete a visa application form and obtain an invitation letter from their employer, and a pre-entry health check. Other visa materials will include a passport and recent passport-sized photos.

What you'll need to teach in Kazakhstan

Living in Kazakhstan

As with in any country, the cost of living in major cities is higher than that of remote areas; Almaty, in particular, is its most expensive city. Although spending will vary by individual, teachers should find living in Kazakhstan affordable. Teachers working for public schools will receive accommodation as part of their salary packages, allowing them to save a large percentage of their salaries each month.

Housing for teachers in Kazakhstan

The NIS program in Kazakhstan provides private accommodation for all participating teachers.

Living in Kazakhstan

Things for teachers to do in Kazakhstan

Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, is an urban hub of restaurants, cafes, and museums. Residents of Almaty can spend time in the city’s many parks, enjoy a range of foreign cuisines, and shop in the city’s markets and malls. Because the city is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, skiing is popular in the winter, as is ice skating.

Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, is smaller than Almaty, but growing quickly. The city has a fascinating mix of architectural influences, and the futuristic Baiterek Tower is a popular site for travelers. Enjoy piping hot Boursaky (a sweet bread similar to a doughnut) or Shashlyk (shish kebab).

Everywhere in Kazakhstan, residents take time to enjoy a cup of tea in the afternoon. Enjoy Kazakh hospitality, try local specialties, and soak in the country’s beautiful landscapes.

Things for teachers to do in Kazakhstan

TEFL Certification for Private School Teachers

Many private schools in Kazakhstan require applicants to possess a TEFL certificate. The University of Toronto’s TEFL Online Certificate can help you become a leading candidate for some of the top Kazakhstani private school positions.

TEFL Certification for Private School Teachers

Apply to Teach in Kazakhstan

Register for a teacher account to apply for teaching jobs in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan at a glance

Country information

Capital: Astana

Language: Kazakh,Russian

Population: 17,948,816 (Jul, 2014)

Currency: Tenge (₸) (KZT)

Government: Unitary Dominant-Party Presidential Rrepublic

Major religion: Islam

Climate: Continental

Size: 2,724,900 km2

Quick facts

Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world.

There are over 131 different ethnic groups living in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan is so large that the distance from one end to the other is about the same as from London to Istanbul.

Kazakhs believe that whistling a song inside a building will make you poor for the rest of your life.

The ancient Kazakhs were the first people in the world to ride and domesticate horses.

Kazakhstan has an unofficial taxi system, where a car is waved down and destination and price are discussed between the two parties.

Snow leopards can be found in the mountains of eastern Kazakhstan.