If you’re the sort of teacher and traveler who prefers the mountains to the beaches, the Arctic to the tropics, and the actual chill to the chill factor, then this guide to the 5 coldest TEFL destinations out there is just what you’ve been searching for. It runs through a handful of places where the thermometers are sure to dip below the zero mark during the winter time; where woolly jumpers and thermal under layers are a must. There’s plenty in the mix, from the snow-doused isles of Japan to the historic towns of south Poland…
Japan
Teachers who like snow are sure to love Japan. The northern part of this amazing Asian country is known for having some of the heaviest and finest snowfall of anywhere on the globe. You’re looking for the island of Hokkaido, which actually sits just 29 miles off the shores of Russia at its closest point. That should give you an idea of just how cold it can get in the midst of the winter. The main city – and the place with the most TEFL jobs – is Sapporo, but the stunning backcountry is the real draw. That rolls through the Daisetsuzan National Park to smoking volcano cones and hot springs. There’s skiing, too, at the award-winning resorts of Niseko and Furano.
Czechia
Although it’s not particularly far north, the landlocked Czech Republic, recently renamed Czechia, has a continental climate that means it doesn’t enjoy the warming oceanic breezes of countries nearer the Med or the Baltic. The upshot? Thermometers can plummet to nearly -35 C (-31 F) in the middle of winter. Thankfully, there are oodles of cozy beer halls to counter the sub-zero outside with frothy ales to warm the blood. Prague also happens to have some of the most festive Christmas markets in the whole of Europe, best enjoyed when your breath is frosting in the air!
Poland
Contrary to what many think, Poland can be balmy in the summer months – like 35 degrees C (95 F) and humid sort of balmy. On the flip side, Poland gets super, duper cold in the winter. The southern mountains around Zakopane tend to be the chilliest of all the places. Come December, they are often bathed under a blanket of the white stuff and weather temps that are regularly -10 C or even more below the zero mark. Most folks will work in larger cities like Krakow or Warsaw, where the pay can be as high as $1,900/month.
Estonia
Estonia is often overlooked by teachers keen to find a job in Europe. But it shouldn’t be. The country sits on the side of the sloshing Baltic Sea, offering the UNESCO-tagged capital of Tallinn and wonderous swathes of pine forests that roll on to meet the Russian border. The location alone should give a clue that it’s a cold spot in the winter. In fact, the record low temp in these parts was a whopping -43.5 C (that’s -46.3 F), while the daily mean temperature in the capital is between +2 C and -3.6 C (35-25 F) from November to February. Bring the big coat!
Finland
Even though the vast majority of teachers who head the way of Finland will probably be chasing jobs in the southern cities of Helsinki and Turku, there’s no getting away from the fact that it will be a chilly place come November. Even the capital – one of the most southerly points in the country – sees daily means that are below freezing point from December through to March! Go further north and you can enter the wondrous world of Lapland, where fells rise between dashes of Arctic tundra. A certain Santa Claus lives up that way, you know?
If you can think of any more places that should be on our list of the coldest TEFL destinations out there, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Alternatively, start chasing those sub-zero temperatures by getting your 120-hour TEFL certificate today.
It’s not all about scorching Thailand and the tropics, you know? There are stacks of TEFL destinations that look stunning in the winter months. From the snowy climes of the Polish mountains to the enchanting old cities of northern Europe to the ski fields of the Southern Hemisphere, this guide runs through seven of the finest spots to consider when it gets chilly outside…
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn is anchored on what some people call the single most enchanting old town area in Europe. That’s a tall order, but it’s easy to see where the plaudits come from. The city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, offering cobbled alleys that weave this way and that, a bustling town square, and a hilltop crowned by the glimmering spires of Orthodox onion domes. When the snows come – and they always do in this part of the Baltic basin – that district is a veritable fairy tale. There are fire-warmed taverns serving Estonian dumplings next to cozy cafés that have fantastic people watching. Estonia has a growing TEFL scene, but it’s also a haven for digital nomads and online English teachers, mainly thanks to its welcoming visa system.
Krakow, Poland
Just wait until you see the old medieval spires of the St Mary Basilica in Krakow during the midwinter. Snows dash the roofs all around them and there’s a cold mist above the cobbled Main Square of the city below, filled with beer-sloshing taverns and pierogi restaurants. Another UNESCO-tagged town, this one’s a fantastic place to be based as a TEFL teacher in the colder months, with ski fields and mountains only two hours’ drive away. Poland also has a booming English learner market, with all sorts of private schools offering wages in the region of $10-20 USD/hour depending on experience.
Hokkaido, Japan
Calling all skiers – Hokkaido is hailed as the home of the world’s most perfect powder. The island-province sits at the northern end of Japan. It gets some strange climactic weather system that crashes moist oceanic air into cold Siberian air, creating uber-heavy snowfall from November to March. Hitting the slopes is activity number one when school is out for the holidays. Choose between the acclaimed resorts of Niseko and Sapporo to be in the best spots. Oh yep, and Japan pays TEFL teachers very well indeed, to the tune of around $1,600-2,600 starting salaries!
Moscow, Russia
Moscow in the winter is cold. Like…super cold. Temperatures can hit a mere 14 F (-10 C) on just an average day, with record lows much, much lower than that. So, you’re going to need the thermals and the bobble hat. But there’s also a charm to the great capital of Russia between November and March. Take the twisted domes of St Basil’s Cathedral and the walls of Red Square. They have just a fraction of the tourists as they do in the summer and look positively beautiful with snowdrifts to the left and right. Russia is a good market for TEFL teachers these days, with lots of jobs and steady pay of around $1,000 USD/month.
Pucón, Chile
Winter is the other way around in Chile as it is to the USA and Europe. Yep, this Southern Hemisphere nation gets colder in the months from May to August, making it the perfect option for TEFL teachers keen on escaping the heat of summers in the north to chase the lower end of the thermometer scale. Pucón is a cracking option for those in search of adventure, too. It’s a resort hub perched in the middle of the Chilean Andes. You’ll see the great Villarrica volcano on one side, can hit the local ski resorts when the snow falls, and explore the alpine trekking trails of the greater Chilean Lake District – all stunning!
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is pretty no matter the time of the year. But it really comes into its own in the winter. That’s when the festive Christmas markets start sizzling up their Slavic blood sausages on the Old Town squares, when mulled wine is served from gingerbread-style huts on the street corners, and when the underground beer halls hit a cozy high. Snows are common but not constant, and temperatures hover around the freezing mark for much of December and January. There are also loads of TEFL jobs on offer, as the Czech Republic is one of the largest markets in Central Europe today.
Munich, Germany
Wait for the hubbub of Oktoberfest (which is actually in September, you know?) to subside. Then, Munich preps for the colder days of winter. For many of the city’s inhabitants that means bidding farewell to the outdoor beer halls in the English Garden park and looking southwards to the German Alps. There are ski resorts there – in Sprungschanze, and in lovely Garmisch-Partenkirchen – but also lakes that look like something from a fantasy novel when dusted with snow and surrounded by frozen pine trees (Eibsee, we’re looking at you!).
Tempted by some of these winter TEFL destinations? To get started applying for jobs, you’ll need at least a 120-hour TEFL course. You can check out what’s included in that over on our courses page.