Teach English in Norway

Options for teaching in Norway

Norway offers plenty of opportunities for ex-pat teachers who are looking to teach English in international schools and private language schools across the country.

International Schools in Norway

There are a number of bilingual international schools for children of ex-pats in Norway that regularly recruit teachers from overseas. These international schools require teaching staff to be certified in their home country and have, at least, two years of relevant teaching experience.

Private language schools in Norway

Some of the biggest international schools in Norway that recruit teachers from abroad include AAC Global and Berlitz.

Salary and benefits for teachers in Norway vary greatly from school to school. Having a bachelor’s degree and an internationally recognized teaching certificate such as a TEFL certificate offers teachers the best chance to maximize their salary and benefits packages.

The school year in Norway runs from mid-August until late June. English language teachers looking to teach at an international school are usually advised to secure a teaching job before arriving in Norway.

While job applications to international and private language schools in Norway are accepted throughout the year, the most popular time for hiring teachers is from September to January.

Interviewing online for teaching positions at international and private language schools in Norway is common practice.

To land a teaching job in Norway, candidates should have, at minimum, a Bachelor’s degree and an internationally recognized TEFL certificate.

Because Norway does have a high level of English language proficiency it’s worth bearing in mind that, in many cases, you will be competing directly with Norwegians for English language jobs. Additionally, the Norwegian teaching population overall is highly educated, so international teachers with advanced degrees related to the field of education often stand the best chance of getting a teaching job in Norway.

The University of Toronto’s TEFL online certificate can also distinguish you from other candidates applying for teaching jobs in Norway.

While Norway isn’t a European Union member state, they do have separate visa regulations for EU and non-EU workers. Teachers who are EU citizens aren’t required apply for a work permit to teach in Norway, while teachers who live outside the EU are.

Your teaching credentials will also need to be checked by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for you to be eligible for a work permit in Norway.

A winter wonderland, Norway has lots to offer teachers who enjoy a mix of summer and winter outdoor activities, from hiking and cycling to ice fishing and skiing. If you’re a teacher looking to explore Norway, be sure to check out the dramatic terrain of fjords, mountains and glaciers across the western coast. The aurora borealis (Northern Lights) is also a must on any teacher’s bucket list of things to do in Norway.

In Norway travelers will also experience one of the world’s most unusual natural occurrences: the midnight sun. Throughout the summer months the sun never sets in Norway. So take advantage of the extra light and go on midnight boat trips or a safari where you can spot Norway’s diverse wildlife of polar bears, whales, reindeer, oxen and elks!

Finally, head to the capital city of Oslo to sample traditional Norwegian cuisine at some of the world’s best restaurants.

Norway has a strong education system, booming economy and one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe. Norway has one of the highest standards of living in the world, but the cost of living is also higher as a result.

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