Why is there a demand for English teachers? Cyprus is now part of the European Union so getting a job here is much easier than it was previously. To work in a regular school you must have a degree in English as well as your TEFL qualification. There are hundreds of afternoon institutes who are often looking for teachers, especially native English speakers. Searching for EFL jobs online or sending CV's speculatively is unlikely to be successful. It is much more worthwhile to visit the schools in person. English is widely spoken in Cyprus, and large numbers of Cypriot students head to the UK and USA to learn English so the majority of roles will either involve teaching children or adults in the business sector.

How do I go about getting a job? Securing an EFL job in Cyprus before you arrive is extremely difficult because very few of the schools actually advertise on the internet. You might find jobs on www.eslcafe.com.  It is generally more worthwhile to visit schools in person and hand in your CV. Furthermore, state school jobs are extremely hard to come by for foreigners as you need at least a 3 year degree in the relevant subject as well as a good knowledge of Greek.

Do I need to learn/speak the language? It is not essential to speak the language, as English is widely spoken.

Where do EFL teachers live? A decent studio apartment can be rented for £300 p/month.

What is the food like? Food and drink in Cyprus is well known for its rich variety of mezes (dip appetizers)and fresh ingredients. A Meze will feature cheeses such as halloumi, kaskavalli or feta along with tomatoes, olives, celery, artichokes, smoked ham, houmous, fish roe (taramosalata), sesame dip (tahini), seafood, seftalia sausages and stuffed vine leaves (koupepia). Mezes are eaten with bread, often dipped into the individual delicacies. Main courses normally include sis kebap (chunks of lamb or chicken on the skewer), lamb chops, grilled chicken, seftali kebap (Turkish sausage) or fish. Cyprus also produces its own very palatable wines, lager and fruit juices to accompany its gastronomic delights. 

What will I do in the evenings, on days off or on my holidays? More than a place just for lounging in the sun, there are lots of things happening in Cyprus all year round. With cultural performances including big name stars, sports events to participate in or religious festivals with all the pomp and circumstance of the Greek Orthodox Church, there's plenty to keep you entertained.

Is Cyprus safe? Cyprus is a remarkably safe country, with very little violent crime. Cars and houses frequently go unlocked. 

When is the best time to travel for English teaching jobs?   Summer posts are very rare, with few schools offering summer courses. There majority of hiring takes place around February and March, when autumn begins.

Turkish (Northern) Cyprus:

There are six private universities, four private schools and at least two language schools in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The main industry here is tourism, catering for a largely English-speaking clientele so there is a demand to master the language for employment purposes.

It is worthwhile remembering that Turkish Cyprus has a large expatriate community so competition for roles can be high.