Why Teach English in Uzbekistan?
Emily Bell Yurt Camp located near to Ayaz-Kala (Photo Credit: Ellie Goodwin)
Dazzling architecture that dates back to the days of the Silk Road is one of the many things that Uzbekistan is best known for. That’s before we even start on its incredible landscape, delicious cuisine, as well as its historical and social melting pot vibe.
So, why teach in Uzbekistan? Well, the country itself is not the only solid reason to. Teach in Uzbekistan and you can expect to find a bunch of perks. No scraping by and making ends meet here. You’ll be earning well, and have the money to spend on travel rather than living frugally.
Are there English teaching jobs in Uzbekistan?
When it comes to teaching English, the number of job opportunities in Central Asia (not just Uzbekistan) is on the rise. After Uzbek, Russian is the most widely spoken language in the country, but more and more people now want to learn English.
Not surprising when you think about how this globally-spoken language gives you an edge when it comes to choosing a career. When it comes to job hunting, teachers are spoilt for choice. There’s dozens of options to choose from too, from paid teaching gigs to volunteering.
If teaching, saving money, or having a base abroad for at least a year are some priorities for you, then a paid contract is the way to go. If Uzbekistan is a fleeting stop on a list of other destinations, or teaching is something you want to try out before fully committing to it, then a volunteer position is your best bet.
What are common ways to teach English in Uzbekistan?
Exquisite design at The Registan in Samarkand (Photo Credit: Ellie Goodwin)
Finding a teaching job in Uzbekistan is definitely not going to be an issue. Like we said, there’s lots of different ways to teach English in Uzbekistan. Most teaching jobs are either in public or private schools but you’ll be able to find tutoring and volunteering opportunities as well.
Public schools
For public schools, the hiring season will be in the summer months, so schools are fully stocked on teachers before the start of the term in September. You’ll need some qualifications under your belt to meet the eligibility requirements: a bachelor's degree, a teaching license or TEFL qualification from your home country, and classroom experience.
These requirements are typical to hundreds of other ESL teaching jobs across the world. And while we’re on that topic, you’ll also enjoy similar perks to what you may find in other countries as an English teacher, like a generous salary, free accommodation, medical coverage, and the cost of airfare covered by the employer.
Private schools
Private schools are on the rise in Uzbekistan but they're still relatively new. Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital city, is where you’ll find most teaching jobs in private schools. Like the public schools, you’ll also need to have the relevant qualifications to teach here too. The main two qualifications are a degree and a TEFL certificate. If Tashkent isn’t the place you imagine yourself teaching, then it may be worth going down the public school route instead.
Volunteering
Exchange programs are getting more and more popular across the globe and Uzbekistan isn’t an exception. Homestay programs are advertised on all of the major teaching job sites, offering free board and lodging in return for teaching English. This could be a family asking for an in-house tutor for children, or a school needing a teacher to cover some weeks for summer camp in exchange for food or accommodation.
5 reasons to teach English in Uzbekistan
The Kalyan Minaret dominating the Bukhara night sky (Photo Credit: Ellie Goodwin)
With so many countries to choose from, why teach English in Uzbekistan? It’s a good question to ask and we’ve got all the answers in our pocket.
1. Growing job market
English teaching jobs in Uzbekistan are on the rise and it promises to keep going in that direction for some time. This high demand is great for aspiring or current teachers. Anyone considering Uzbekistan can take their time choosing the job that’s right for them out of the lengthy available list.
It also gives teachers a bit of leg room when it comes to negotiating a contract that’s right for them. Often, you can’t say the same for some teaching destinations like Japan or Dubai—the job market is far more competitive and cultivates a “you take what you’re given” kind of sentiment. Negotiating power is just one of the great reasons why you should teach English in Uzbekistan.
2. Safety
Is Uzbekistan safe? Well, like anywhere in the world you’ll need to exercise caution and common sense in certain situations, but generally speaking, you can rest assured that Uzbekistan does well on the safety ranking.
The fact that practices like hitchhiking is a common occurrence shows how safe Uzbekistan is as a country. Of course, like anywhere, caution needs to be exercised and the country does have some domestic problems, which usually involve petty thefts and pickpocketing. It’s also advised to avoid areas like the Tajik, Afghan and Kyrgyz border where Extremists groups have been known to operate.
Marketplace in Khiva (Photo Credit: Ellie Goodwin)
3. Salary
We touched on this earlier but we’ll say it again to get the point across—and because it’s a big reason to teach English in Uzbekistan! You won’t only be breaking even in Uzbekistan. In fact, you’ll be earning and saving money.
Salaries range between 1500 to 3000 USD (local currency is in so’m, so be sure to check the conversion rate for your home currency if it isn’t USD). This coupled with the low living costs means that you’re sure to save money while working.
4. Culture
When it comes to traveling, Uzbekistan is still very much a hidden gem. The best things about this? The culture is still authentic and not tailored to swarms of tourists and expats that some other countries get.
Take a walk in some countries, and you’ll see restaurants selling pizza and hamburgers, not to mention dozens of McDonald's or Burger Kings which definitely don’t fall under the “local cuisine” label. Uzbekistan is different. Everything here, from the food to local customs, is still very much Uzbek.
It has its unique distinct character where Islamic and Jewish architecture sits across from each other, with remnants of Soviet Russia and the Silk Road days still around. You’re in for a culture lesson unlike any other!
Iconic Uzbek architecture in Samarkand (Photo Credit: Ellie Goodwin)
5. Travel Hub
Uzbekistan isn’t the only hidden gem. Central Asia and the Middle East are full of them. There’s Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Oman, Jordan—and that’s just a few places to get you started.
Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, is a launching pad to get you to these other countries which, on an ordinary day, will be difficult to travel to if you’re based in the West. When you’re done exploring Uzbekistan in your free time, then the longer school vacations can be spent visiting some of the less-traveled countries in the world.
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Go off the beaten path—teach English in Uzbekistan!
Central Asia has been under the radar for too long but the winds are now changing. The plethora of English teaching jobs in Uzbekistan and chances to save money are huge perks, but the list doesn’t end there. This huge country has great travel opportunities, with a culture that sets itself apart without compromise. We can’t think of many other countries which can boast a similar flex.
On your travels, not only will you see architectural wonders that you’ll be hard-pressed to see anywhere else, but you’ll also be welcomed by locals as if you’re a long-lost relative. And on the mention of stunning architecture—make sure Bukhara and Samarkand are your first point of call.
