From the Golden State to the Heart of Europe: Miranda’s Life Teaching English in Austria
- Marta Srebrakowska
- Aug 13
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 14
If you’ve ever joined one of our Self-Employed in Austria (SEA) meetups, chances are you’ve met Miranda Kragulj. She’s been a regular for years, always showing up with a warm smile, a positive attitude, and something useful to teach us. I’ve always admired her energy - the kind of uplifting presence that makes you feel instantly comfortable.
My family and many of my friends have watched her English lessons on YouTube and loved them. Miranda has a gift for making learning both fun and practical, and you can tell her passion for teaching runs deep.
Originally from the US, Miranda came to Austria in 1992. She’s raised two wonderful children here and built a long, successful career teaching English - from language schools and kindergartens to international organisations like the United Nations. She runs English with Miranda on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, and you can find her website at englishwithmiranda.com.
We first met at one of the SEA meetups, and since then, I’ve seen how she always happily shares her knowledge about self-employment and running a business, and gives others in the group creative ideas.
Marta: Why self-employment and why teaching English? How did your journey begin?
Miranda: I first came to Austria in the early ’90s as an au pair, planning to stay for just 6–12 months, learn some German, and see a bit of Europe. After returning to the US, I realised how much I missed Austria and decided to come back, but this time, not as an au pair. Teaching English seemed like the perfect fit.
My first job was as an assistant English teacher at a kindergarten in Business Park Vienna. I stayed long enough to sort out my visa and paperwork. They handled all of that for me, which was a huge help. Around the same time, I got my CELTA teaching certificate at the International House on Schwedenplatz. It was the best educational investment I’ve made - very hands-on, with practical training for teaching adults.
After CELTA, I freelanced for various language schools before being employed as a senior teacher at the language institute Linguarama. Once I had kids, I returned to freelancing for the flexibility: fewer hours, longer holidays, and the ability to travel home to California for entire summers. Later, after 10 years freelancing as a teacher for the UN, I went fully self-employed. The UN remained a client, along with other companies around Vienna. I’d teach, then simply send an invoice at the end of the month. It was - and still is - a perfect arrangement for my lifestyle.
Marta: Getting started in Austria – was it complicated?
Miranda: Registering as a self-employed English teacher here is surprisingly simple. For language teaching, you don’t need a specific license – I registered as a Neue Selbstständige (new self-employed). I just called the social insurance office, told them I wanted to register, and that was it.
My clients are mainly organisations, including UN agencies like UNIDO, CTBTO, and UNODC. I also teach small groups at private companies and private individuals from my home.
The main challenges of self-employment? Staying organised. There’s no payslip at the end of the month, so you have to track your own invoices and records. Another big one is setting boundaries with clients.
Marta: Speaking of boundaries, what have you learned?
Miranda: Boundaries aren’t just about clients; you need them for yourself, too. Teaching can easily spill over into evenings with lesson prep, homework correction, and answering emails, especially when students are in different time zones. I’ve learned to turn off notifications at night and use timers to limit my working hours.
In the beginning, I said “yes” to everything – even low-paid jobs that required long travel – because I worried about not having enough work. Over time, I learned to value my time and be more selective.
When it comes to late arrivals, last-minute cancellations… those can eat into your time and income. I enforce a 24-hour cancellation policy but remain flexible for genuine emergencies.
Marta: How has your business evolved over time?
Miranda: In 2018, I started teaching courses and workshops for UNODC. When the pandemic hit, we switched to online classes. I discovered platforms like Kahoot, Padlet, and Quizlet, which made lessons more interactive and fun. But after two years online, I missed in-person interaction and shifted my focus to short, intensive workshops, like my Writing Parliamentary Reports for the United Nations course. This allows me to teach in focused bursts, take breaks between workshops, and work on private coaching.
Now, my work is more streamlined, specialised, and aligned with my lifestyle. I don’t need to chase clients, and I even consider myself semi-retired - teaching less, focusing on my health, and enjoying life.
Marta: Teaching at the UN – what’s it like?
Miranda: I got my UN teaching job back in 2001, almost by chance – a friend gave me the contact details, I called, and they had just learned one of their teachers was leaving.
Teaching in an international environment is incredible. The students come from all over the world, and the topics they work on are fascinating. Sometimes the UN jargon is challenging, so I focus on helping people write clearly and concisely, especially in diplomatic contexts. I still teach there today and am always learning something new from my students.
Marta: Do you have any advice about pricing one’s services?
Miranda: Your time is your most valuable asset. Don’t just look at what others charge – think about what your hour is worth, including travel, preparation, and admin. If you underprice yourself, you’ll resent the work.
I also add value through resources like interactive games, online learning platforms, and shared materials. These make lessons more engaging and justify a higher rate. And yes, raise your prices regularly to keep up with inflation, at least for new clients.
Content creation – is it worth it for teachers? How do you stay creative?
Miranda: Absolutely. Having a professional website or blog gives you credibility. I also ran a YouTube channel where I went live weekly for interactive games. It was fun, but time-consuming, and YouTube doesn’t pay much anymore. It’s hard to know what to focus on with all the social media platforms out there. It’s important to focus on platforms that can be monetised or at least draw in a significant number of new clients.
I’ve also created workbooks and journals, like my phrasal verb workbook and themed writing journals, which are great for passive income. Platforms like Kahoot and Padlet make lessons more dynamic and give students resources they can revisit even after the course ends.
Creativity is essential - for keeping classes lively and for my own well-being. I use Canva to create visually appealing slides and worksheets, and I also make time for personal creative outlets like journaling and art projects. They help me reset mentally.
Marta: What communities do you recommend for English teachers and the self-employed in Austria?
Miranda: SEA has been an invaluable community for me – for networking, learning, and getting answers to those tricky self-employment questions. The meetups, webinars, and Q&As have saved me a lot of time (and German headaches!). Beyond SEA, I keep up with updates from the SVS insurance newsletter, but SEA is my main go-to.
Marta: What tools or systems do you use to stay organised in your work and content creation?
Miranda: I’m old-school – I rely on pen and paper. I keep separate notebooks for different courses, my business, social media ideas, YouTube planning, and game ideas. I don’t carry my laptop around; I like having everything written out and tangible. I keep all of my course materials and resources on Padlet, so that my students and I have permanent and easy access to courses. This helps me remain organised and provides a record of all my previous work and students.
Talking to Miranda is a bit like sitting down with a good friend who just happens to have decades of wisdom to share. She’s warm, down-to-earth, and refreshingly honest about both the joys and challenges of self-employment. Her story is proof that you can build a career on your own terms, adapt to life’s changes, and still find room for creativity and fun. She brings the same enthusiasm and generosity to everything she does, and she’s a valued part of our SEA community.
If you’d like to learn more from Miranda, check out her work:
Website: englishwithmiranda.com
YouTube: English with Miranda
Instagram & TikTok: @englishwithmiranda
LinkedIn: Miranda Kragulj
