this post was submitted on 14 Dec 2025
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Hi, so I'm very young and this may change, but I wanna get started at learning a language anyway. I either wanna go to Germany, Austria, Poland, or Italy. According to the Wikipedia, I believe Italy speaks the least amount of English out of the 4.

However, which country would have what I'm looking for: rich culture (probably all), good writing inspiration, friendly people, cheap places but still good to live, good pay for jobs like teachers, and in need of English education. Also, not a lot of far-right, homophobic/Nazi groups (I'm a lesbian).

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I really don't know about English in Austria, Poland or Italy. My experience with English in Italy is 30 years ago, but it comes to: nobody speaks English, and very few people tries.

If you want an open minded population, you're way better off going for a large city, than a specific country. Last time I was in Berlin I found what was described as an English language feminist queer bookstore. I doubt that you'd find that in a picture-esque Toscan town.

Be aware that you'll need to have some formal training in English grammar and language theory, in order to teach in most cases. You can't just drop in with a high school diploma and teach English.

Austria, in a city like Graz or Vienna, hands down.

[โ€“] philpo@feddit.org 11 points 11 hours ago

For Austria and Germany I would basically rule out working as a english teacher tbh - It's next to impossible.

Basically everyone goes to a state operated or recognised school - and for a job at these you will need a local education degree, superb local language skills (like: Not only speaking on the level of a natural speaker but also dialect free) and for Germany, depending on the state/in the majority of states you will also need the right citizenship.

Private language schools exist,but they are not widely used (like really really rarely) and often are staffed by teachers having a locsl degree, local education students that need some extra money,etc. There are very very few spots where someone with an non-local degree might fit in (and most ads you see for that sadly are a pyramid-like scam).

So.... Tbh, maybe consider another way of making money. (And note that self employment in Germany works totally different from the US, is highly regulated and has a LOT of hidden costs)

[โ€“] theacharnian@lemmy.ca 4 points 9 hours ago (1 children)
[โ€“] blackwitch@lemmings.world 3 points 8 hours ago

No clue, they're my top picks

[โ€“] Waldelfe@feddit.org 12 points 13 hours ago

I'm German and I can tell you you will hardly make a living teaching English in Germany. I used to work as a languagr instructor. The language schools don't pay you nearly enough to live and to teach at a regular school you need to have a univerity degree in education. Institutions that pay you enough always require a relevant university degree like ESL or education. If you want to come here, I'd highly suggest you look into different jobs.

[โ€“] Zwuzelmaus@feddit.org 12 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago)

According to the Wikipedia, I believe Italy speaks the least amount of English out of the 4.

I am German. I believe this, but...

good pay for jobs like teachers,

... you should also research this point very specifically, if you are absolutely determined about becoming a teacher.

Job markets for teachers are very different in all of the 4, and there are tons of regulations if you want to teach children. You would need to go through years of university education here first.

By the way, be prepared to learn the local language very, very good. This is the most important thing of all, if you are looking for a good life for yourself.

Also you should know that almost every American who comes here thinks that they could become a teacher of English language. This makes the worst demand/supply ratio.

rich culture (probably all),

Yes. Easily when compared to Usa.

friendly people,

Nowhere.

Austria, Italy, and parts of southern Germany as long as you are a tourist.

cheap places

Far South in Italy, and maybe the most rural parts everywhere. But there payments are low accordingly.

good to live,

Nearly everywhere in Europe, when compared to Usa. Seriously.

not a lot of far-right, homophobic/Nazi groups (I'm a lesbian).

Research this: when comparing left and right in any absolute measure, the left in Usa is still much further right than all "medium" right (=excluding real extremists) in Europe.

In Germany I would recommend Cologne. Other big cities are also relaxed. Rural parts are 20 years behind. Avoid the east of Germany because of Nazi extremists. Poland and Italy have strong Catholic traditions.

[โ€“] rumschlumpel@feddit.org 15 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago) (1 children)

I mean, Italy is being ruled by a far-right government right now, and e.g. the unemployed are in a really shitty situation in Italy right now AFAIK. Meloni's government seems more moderate than Germany's or Poland's far right, but that's kind of a gamble between the far right government you have versus the far right government that you might get in a couple of years.

As a German, it's my impression that Austria is more socially conservative than Germany, though it might be different if you compare specific cities and specific laws that are relevant to you. AFAIK, their far right is less extreme than Germany's or Poland's, though.

Austria and Germany are probably good on English education, though, their general English level is pretty high compared to any of the romance countries, just by merit of having an easier starting point.

[โ€“] blackwitch@lemmings.world 6 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

Thanks! I will probably try for Austria or Germany then, plus I can get the education from my school in German. They don't teach Italian or Polish.

[โ€“] SapphireSphinx@feddit.org 3 points 16 hours ago

Try to avoid the East-German states.

[โ€“] Undertaker@feddit.org 10 points 21 hours ago

When it comes to far-right, you should avoid Italy. Poland currently is okay, but it could change after next election. Austria is a bit problematic as well but nearly okay. I think, Germany is best choice though the CDU/CSU try to shift to more right decisions.

Friendly people can ve found in every of these countries but also unfriendly ones. Don't know which one to favor.

[โ€“] kossa@feddit.org 10 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

Also, not a lot of far-right, homophobic/Nazi groups (I'm a lesbian)

Well, tough luck.

But to be more constructive: large cities will be fine. As a (not-trans?) lesbian you also kind of won the "how much do people hate me for who I am" lottery, as in: you're probably in the least (but still) hated LGBTQ demographic.

I would expect the countries you mentioned to be the 'same' when it comes to stuff like cost of living, salary (more dependent on the region of the country, i.e. in the south of Italy or in the east of Germany salaries are waaay lower). So it might depend on other factors. I would consider e.g. climate and weather: warm and long summers are your thing? Italy.

Another factor could be: how much do you plan to travel? Best connections for Central and Western Europe in Germany, for Eastern Europe and the Balkans in Austria.

You like snow in the winter and maybe skiing? Austria or northern Italy. Generally mountaineer? Austria (or northern Italy).

You want to be close to the sea for windy water sports? North Poland, North-East Germany. Like beaches and sunshine better? Italy it is again.

Good food? Austria or Italy.

You want to see a powerful country in decline and taking whole Europe with them? Germany. You want to witness Russian aggression? Poland. OK, I am leaving the seriousness behind, but you get the gist of what I am writing...what are you looking for in specific?

Oh, and who needs the most English teaching? France, but they don't want to be taught, so there's that.

[โ€“] blackwitch@lemmings.world 3 points 23 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago)

I will try Italy or Austria then. Yeah, my Polish aunt HATES Russians and Russia and I heard people can't even mention Russia or being Russian in some Polish online communities. Italy will probably be easier but I think Austria is closer to Poland without it being such a hard language, so...

[โ€“] GenosseFlosse@feddit.org 0 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Im not sure if there is a high demand for english teachers in germany. I would argue that most kids pick up english by themself from social media, their favorite influencers, youtube or some indy videogames that did not have the budget tr translate into 20 different languages and only come in english.

[โ€“] rumschlumpel@feddit.org 1 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago)

Everpresent foreign-language media helps a lot, but to make sense of it you generally still need actual lessons, unless you're one of the extremely smart or dedicated ones. Also, German has a thriving synchronization/translation industry, the need to learn English yourself for media consumption isn't nearly as big as for languages with fewer speakers or less economic resources.

I do agree that the German-speaking countries don't have a high demand for foreign English teachers. English isn't that hard to learn for them and at least in Germany, the public education system is relatively decent at teaching the language.

[โ€“] Loui@feddit.org 1 points 19 hours ago

A big tolerant city with cheapish rent would probably be Vienna. (Correct me if I'm wrong Austrians). They have lots of cheaper social flats.

It's not southern Germany or big cities in Germany. Id ask AI. Consider local income in comparison with cost of living. Maybe choose a medium sized city.

I don't know anything about Poland or Italy though.

[โ€“] SonofaBixcuit@sh.itjust.works 2 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

Germany. Or Po-land, Po-land, Po-land, Po-land!!! (It's close to my favorite country!!)

[โ€“] rumschlumpel@feddit.org 6 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

What's great about Poland? Not an attack, I just don't know that much about it beyond basic history and politics stuff and I want to hear the opinion of someone who likes the country who is presumably not Polish themselves.

Lots of culture, beautiful Slavic language, close to my favorite country Russia (though they are at odds)