Why is there a demand for English teachers? The demand for EFL teachers in Sweden has slowed in recent years, but there are still roles available if you know where to look.  Private classes and informal conversation sessions are a good source of employment, where the range of pupils can vary from the unemployed to business executives.

How do I go about getting a job? Teaching vacancies in Sweden are rarely seen in the UK national press. This is because working outside the Folkuniversitetet system is difficult, and its wide appeal means there are few private EFL organisations in existence. These private organisations look towards the business end of the market and are more likely to consider you if you are particularly highly qualified or have specific business or commercial experience. Folkuniversitetet offers the best chance to anyone aged 22-40. If you have a degree then your job prospects are significantly enhanced. The Folkuniversity of Sweden has a long-established scheme in which British and other native English speakers are placed in a network of adult education centres throughout the country for nine month placements. Teachers with a solid ELT background might try the main state universities who put on English courses or the language schools listed in the Yellow Pages of Stockholm, Malmo, Gothenburg, Orebro and Uppsala.

Where do EFL teachers live? New teachers will share an apartment with other English teachers, others often move into the newly vacant apartment of the teacher who just finished their contract. Some schools do provide free accommodation either on the school campus, home stay (if in a small town), privately or shared apartment.  Employers sometimes provide free accommodation and utilities to help teachers cope with the cost. Others may provide additional benefits like reimbursing yourflight costs and providing medical insurance. Swedish income tax is notoriously high, so expect to lose around 30% in deductions, but the country is famed for its public services so many employers offer generous sick day policies etc.

What is the food like?
Swedish cuisine is based on a traditional foundation called 'husmanskost' which means everyday or home-cooked food. Typical dishes are Swedish meatballs, blood pudding, salted game meats such as reindeer, salted or smoked herring and various other types of fish. Smorgasbord is a buffet-style meal that is popular in Swedish cuisine to celebrate holidays and special occasions.

What will I do in the evenings, on days off or on my holidays? The cities of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö offer very different flavours of one nation. You have the ‘cool’ of Stockholm, the maritime atmosphere of Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city and the multi-cultural aspect of Malmö. What they all share is an abundance of parks, museums, shopping, interesting sites to visit and vibrant cultures, all within walking distance. They all include forests, sandy beaches, crystal clear lakes and rich flora and fauna. One major attraction is the so-called ‘Kingdom of Crystal', a forested area between Malmö and Stockholm boasting many fine glassworks.

Do I need to learn/speak the language? Nearly 95% of the people speak English very well, so everyday life should not pose a problem either.

How much does it cost to travel to Sweden from the UK?
Flights start at £50 one way.

Is Sweden safe?
Sweden is among the safest countries to travel to. No health risks are associated with the country and crime in Sweden is at much lower levels than elsewhere in Europe, so visits to Sweden are mostly trouble free.

When is the best time to travel for English teaching jobs? Generally all year round. Most positions are on offer from September or January. The Stockholm branch runs English summer courses from June to August for which it looks to hire EFL teachers and group leaders.