Europe Teacher

Central Europe Teacher

Join to apply for the Central Europe Teacher role at Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

ELCA’s companion church schools in Central Europe invite you to teach English and other content subjects for one school year or longer. Volunteers teach in the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia, in Bratislava and other cities and towns. Students are in 8th to 13th grades and have a working knowledge of English; many graduate to universities in their home countries or abroad.

Teaching 16‑22 hours a week in classes of 12‑18 students, teachers must be creative, flexible and prepared to meet heavy demands of time and energy. Teachers help students develop language and other skills that will enable them to advance in their chosen careers and serve their church or society.

Full Time, One Year

July 12, 2026

Global Mission Volunteer (Global Teach)

ELCA Service and Justice Central Europe Teachers serve in the Central Europe Teachers (CET) Program, in partnership with the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in the Slovak Republic. The national church and government have set English language learning as a high priority. Teachers prepare students for a future in church and society. Typical class size ranges from 8 to 20 students.

Teaching sites are located in Bratislava, Košice, Martin, Prešov, Liptoský Mikuláš, and Tisovec.

• Applications Open:
  December 2025
• Interviews (online):
  January 2026 – March 2026
• School Placements and ELCA Agreements:
  April 2026 – May 2026
• Deployment Process:
  May 2026 – August 2026 (Process begins once ELCA contract is signed)
• ELCA Orientation (in-person):
  July 2026
• Deploy to Slovakia:
  Early August 2026
• Slovakia in‑country weeklong Orientation:
  August 2026 (Exact dates TBD)

• Teach in a bilingual junior/senior high school or elementary school. Emphasis is on conversational English teachers, but math, science, religion, and geography teachers are needed as well. All instruction is in English.
• Interpret and implement national and school‑mandated curriculum through personalized lesson plans.
• Prepare students for the end‑of‑school‑year comprehensive final exams.
• Participate in a mid‑academic‑year review to assess performance.

• BA/BS is required.
• Teaching experience is preferred.
• Effective verbal, written, and listening skills in an intercultural and multilingual context are preferred.
• Christian faith and a commitment to the mission of the church.
• Openness to various expressions of Christian faith and respect for people of other faiths.
• Respect for beliefs, values and customs of the church and culture where assigned.
• Well‑developed interpersonal skills demonstrating understanding and compassion.
• Demonstrated ability to carry out responsibilities and adapt to different standards and practices.
• Ability to work within the framework of local administration.
• Adaptable and flexible, sense of humor, good physical and emotional health.
• Live and serve in a way which reflects the vision and expectations of the ELCA.

• ELCA covers international travel to and from Slovakia at the beginning and end of service.
• Central Europe Teachers are global personnel of the ELCA. This position is supported by the ELCA with a stipend for the first three months of service, international health insurance, and visa‑related fees.
• Teachers are provided accommodations at no cost; local teacher’s salary (based on years of experience); a state/local health insurance plan.
• Student loans are deferrable.
• Candidates should be prepared to participate in an ELCA missionary orientation in July 2026 and a CET program specific weeklong in‑country orientation in August 2026, in Bratislava, Slovakia.
• In‑country service period is from early August 2026 through June 2027, with the possibility of a one‑year extension.

The spouse can also apply as a separate applicant for the Central Europe Teachers program. Both will be interviewed together and attend orientation to better understand ELCA missiology, goals, methodology for service and justice foci. Alternatively, a spouse can accompany the teacher and not be part of the program; no ELCA and local school/church provisions will be provided to the spouse who is not a teacher.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. The position requires sitting for long periods of time. The employee may occasionally need to lift boxes or materials up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Seniority level
:
Entry level

Employment type
:
Full‑time

Job function
:
Education and Training;
Religious Institutions