Central Europe Teacher Slovakia

Please apply using the form below.

Apply here: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/3766458

Agreement term:

Full Time, one year

Anticipated start date(s):

July 12, 2026

Agreement type:

Global Mission Volunteer (Global Teach)

Description

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) companion church schools in Central Europe invite volunteers to teach English and other content subjects for one school year or longer. Each year volunteers teach in the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia. Schools are located in Bratislava and other cities and towns.

Volunteers teach English language, literature, or other subjects in an academic program to students in 8th to 13th grades, following the approved school curriculum. Some schools focus on using ELCA teachers in conversation classes. The students have a working knowledge of English. Most graduates continue to universities at home or abroad.

Teachers typically teach 16–22 hours a week in classes of 12–18 students. Teachers need to be creative, flexible, and prepared for significant time and energy demands. They help students develop language and other skills for future careers and service to church or society.

Site Information

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. English language learning is a national priority. Typical class size can range from 8 to 20 students. Teaching sites are located in Bratislava, Košice, Martin, Prešov, Liptovský Mikuláš, and Tisovec.

Timeline

• 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)

Assignment Includes

• 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 also needed. All instruction is in English.
• Interpret and implement national and school-mandated curriculum through personalized lesson plans.
• Prepare students for end-of-school-year comprehensive final exams.
• Participate in a mid-academic-year review to assess performance.

Requirements

Experience and Skills

• BA/BS is required.
• Teaching experience is preferred.
• Effective verbal, written, and listening skills in an intercultural and multilingual context 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.
• Ability to carry out responsibilities and adapt to different standards and practices.
• Ability to work within the framework of a local administration.
• Adaptable and flexible, with a sense of humor and good physical and emotional health.
• Live and serve in a way that reflects the vision and expectations of the ELCA.

Terms and Conditions

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• ELCA covers international travel to and from Slovakia at the beginning and end of service.
• While not employees, Central Europe Teachers of the ELCA are understood to be global personnel of the ELCA. This position is supported with a stipend for the first three months of service, international health insurance, and fees related to visas.
• Central Europe Teachers are provided by the local school and church: accommodations at no cost; local teacher’s salary (based on years of experience); and 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. Candidates serve for one academic calendar year with the possibility of a one-year extension.

If Candidate is Married

The spouse can also apply as a separate applicant for the Central Europe Teachers program. Both will be interviewed together and will attend orientation to better understand ELCA missiology, goals, and methodology. Alternatively, a spouse may accompany the applicant without participating in the program; no ELCA or local school/church provisions will be provided for a spouse who is not a teacher.

Physical Effort

While performing duties, 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 and occasionally lifting boxes or materials up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.