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Registan Square, Samarkand
National programme · Free for teachers
Public school English teacher, national education reform
Tashkent and 12 regions · Students aged 14 to 17
$2,000–$3,500Net a month, by experience
Free apartmentPrivate and furnished
Annual flightReturn airfare each year
12 monthsRenewable contract
Teach alongside a local co-teacher, run English clubs and help train local English teachers as part of the country's school reform.
You'll need: a degree, a TEFL, CELTA or CertTESOL, and two years' teaching experience.
Uzbekistan has made English a priority in a wide-ranging reform of its schools, and there aren't enough experienced English speakers in the country to deliver it. The Ministry of Preschool and School Education is recruiting native-level teachers from abroad to teach in public schools and to help train local English teachers.
For teachers, that means one of the strongest savings packages in TEFL, in a country that's still off most people's radar.
Public schools
The national programme. Free housing, an annual flight and visa support, teaching teenagers with a co-teacher. Two years' teaching experience needed.
International schools
Mostly in Tashkent, following IB or Cambridge curricula. These usually want licensed teachers with a PGCE or equivalent.
Language centres
Private English schools, mainly in the cities. Packages vary a lot, so check housing and visa support before you accept.
What you could save
Uzbekistan is one of the cheapest countries in the world for expats. On the national programme your rent is covered, so most of your salary is yours to keep.
$2,000–$3,500
Net monthly salary on the national programme, by experience
$0 rent
Your own furnished apartment, free for the whole contract
$300–$400
What most teachers spend a month on food, transport and going out
Around $10
A three-course meal in a local restaurant
A few dollars
Most taxi rides across Tashkent with apps like Yandex Go
One flight a year
A full return airfare paid each year of your contract
Who can teach in Uzbekistan?
For the public school programme you'll need:
Native-level English
A bachelor's or master's degree (education, linguistics or TESOL preferred)
A TEFL, CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL if your degree isn't in education
At least two years of secondary or high school teaching experience
A clean background check and commitment to the full school year
Uzbekistan's programme asks for a TEFL, CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL. Most applicants are experienced teachers, so a qualification at CELTA level makes the strongest application. Book through ESLstarter for our discounted prices with partner TEFL UK.
Our pick for Uzbekistan
168-hour Level 5 Certificate in TEFL
£239
ESLstarter price, only when you book here
Ofqual-regulated, the same level as CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL
Studied online with a personal tutor, so you can finish it around your current job
Covers teaching teenagers and adults, the age groups you'll teach here
Recognised well beyond Uzbekistan, for better-paid roles later
Good to know: a TEFL doesn't replace the two years' teaching experience the programme asks for. If you have the experience but no certificate, either course will complete your application. Just need the basics? The 120-hour TEFL starts from £63.
Where you could live
The national programme places teachers in Tashkent and 12 regions, from the capital to the Aral Sea. Placements are made by the Ministry.
Tashkent
The capital: green, busy and modern, with Soviet boulevards, a metro famous for its stations, and the country's biggest expat scene.
Samarkand
Home of the Registan, one of the most famous squares in the Islamic world, and about two hours from Tashkent by high-speed train.
Bukhara
A walkable old city of madrasas, trading domes and caravanserais, little changed in centuries.
Fergana Valley
Fergana, Andijan and Namangan: the country's fertile, crowded heartland, known for silk, ceramics and huge bazaars.
Khorezm
The region around Khiva, a walled city so well preserved it feels like an open-air museum.
The south and west
Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya and Karakalpakstan, for teachers who want the most authentic experience and the lowest living costs.
Expect to be invited for tea
Teachers are deeply respected in Uzbekistan, and hospitality is a point of pride. Expect plov at your colleagues' homes, invitations to weddings, and students who are genuinely excited to learn.
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Teaching in Uzbekistan, your questions answered
Is Uzbekistan a good place to teach English?
Yes, especially if you want to save money and see somewhere few people have been. Uzbekistan is in the middle of a national education reform and is recruiting native-level English teachers for its public schools, with salaries of US$2,000 to US$3,500 net a month and free housing.
How much can I save teaching in Uzbekistan?
On the national programme, housing is free and most teachers live comfortably on around US$300 to US$400 a month. Depending on your salary level, that can leave well over US$1,500 a month to save.
What qualifications do I need to teach English in Uzbekistan?
For the public school programme you need native-level English, a bachelor's degree, at least two years of secondary or high school teaching experience and a clean background check. If your degree isn't in education, you also need a TEFL, CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL.
Which TEFL is best for Uzbekistan?
The programme accepts a TEFL, CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL. The Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL is at the same level as CELTA and can be studied online, which suits experienced teachers who need a recognised qualification quickly.
When does the school year start in Uzbekistan?
The school year runs from September to May, in two semesters, with a long summer break and national holidays such as Navruz in March. The national programme also recruits for some later starts during the year.
Do I need to speak Uzbek or Russian?
No. You teach in English, alongside a local co-teacher. Russian and Uzbek are both widely spoken, so a few phrases of either will help in daily life.
Is Uzbekistan safe for foreign teachers?
Uzbekistan is widely regarded as one of the safest countries in Central Asia, with a strong culture of hospitality and respect for teachers. As anywhere, check your government's latest travel advice before you go.
Ready to teach in Uzbekistan?
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