Latin America TEFL Job Markets

Latin America is a great place for English teachers who don’t have a bachelor’s degree and don’t need to save large sums of money. Wages are modest, but given the low cost of living in many Latin American countries, full-time English teachers can live comfortably. Most jobs entail teaching adults at private language schools. Private tutoring is a popular means of earning extra income.

The following information represents typical experiences for teachers but of course varies. Always carefully review contract details for any position and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.

Argentina

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: February-March, July-August
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Argentina
Visa: Tourist visa
Typical Students: Business professionals
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,500 - 2,500 (58.600 - 97,700 ARS)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $800 - 1,200 (31,200 – 47,000 ARS)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $600 - 1,100 (23,500 – 43,000 ARS)

Bolivia

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: February-March, July-August
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Bolivia
Visa: Tourist visa
Typical Students: Business professionals
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 - 1,200 (6,900 – 8,300 BOB)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $500 - 700 (3,500 – 4,900 BOB)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $500 - 900 (3,500 – 6,200 BOB)

Brazil

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: March-August
Interview Procedure: Mostly face-to-face in Brazil; some phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Tourist visa
Typical Students: Business professionals
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,200 - 2,000 (4,400 – 7,400 BRL)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $800 - 1,300 (3,000 – 4,800 BRL)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $800 - 1,300 (3,000 – 4,800 BRL)

Chile

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: February-March, July-August
Interview Procedure: Mostly face-to-face in Chile; some phone/Skype
Visa: Tourist or work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children in public schools
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,850 - 2,250 (1,200,000 – 1,500,000 CLP)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $650 - 1,000 (425,000 - 650,000 CLP)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $750 - 1,000 (490,000 - 650,000 CLP)

Colombia

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: January-March, July-August
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Colombia; some phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Tourist or Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 - 1,600 (3,100,000 – 5,000,000 COP)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $500 – 1,050 (1,550,000 – 3,250,000 COP)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $500 – 1,000 (1,500,000 – 3,000,000 COP)

Costa Rica

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Costa Rica; some phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Tourist visa or independent contractor license
Typical Students: Business professionals
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,200 - 1,800 (729,000 – 1,100,000 CRC)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $700 - 900 (425,091 - 546,546 CRC)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $700 - 900 (425,091 - 546,546 CRC)

Dominican Republic

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in the Dominican Republic; some phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Tourist or Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD): $1,000 - 1,200 (49,300 - 60,000 DOP)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD): $500 - 800 (24,700 - 40,000 DOP)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD): $500 - 800 (24,700 - 40,000 DOP)

Ecuador

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: February-March, July-August
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance or face-to-face in Ecuador
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD): $1,000 - 1,200
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD): $500 - 800
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD): $500 - 800

Guatemala

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: February-March, July-August
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Guatemala
Visa: Tourist visa
Typical Students: Business professionals
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD): $1,000 - 1,200 (7,700 - 9,250 GTQ)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD): $500 - 600 (3,700 - 4,400 GTQ)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD): $500 - 600 (3,700 - 4,400 GTQ)

Honduras

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: April-August
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Honduras; some phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Tourist visa
Typical Students: Business professionals or children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD): $1,000 - 1,200 (23,600 - 28,300 HNL)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD): $400 - 600 (9,450 - 14,200 HNL)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD): $500 - 800 (11,800 - 18,900 HNL)

Mexico

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Mostly face-to-face in Mexico; some phone in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, childen
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,300 - 1,800 (25,000 – 34,650 MXN)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $500 – 800 (9,300 – 15,000 MXN)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $500 – 800 (9,300 – 15,000 MXN)

Nicaragua

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 3, 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Nicaragua
Visa: Tourist visa
Typical Students: All ages
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 - 1,200 (32,650 – 39,150 NIO)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $300 - 600 (9,400 – 18,800 NIO)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $300 - 600 (9,400 – 18,800 NIO)

Panama

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: February-March, July-August
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Panama
Visa: Tourist visa
Typical Students: Business professionals
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD): $1,350 - 2,000
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD): $900 - 1,300
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD): $900 - 1,300

Peru

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 3, 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: February-March, July-August
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Peru
Visa: Tourist visa
Typical Students: Business professionals
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 - 1,500 (3,300 – 4,900 PEN)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $500 - 1,000 (1,650 – 3,300 PEN)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $500 - 1,000 (1,650 – 3,300 PEN)

Uruguay

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: February-March, July-August
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Uruguay
Visa: Tourist visa
Typical Students: Business professionals
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,600 – 2,200 (52,300 – 71,900 UYU)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $900 – 1,300 (30,100 - 42,000 UYU)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $900 – 1,300 (30,100 - 42,000 UYU)

NOTE:

For the most up-to-date exchange rates check out xe.com.

Start-up costs are estimates in a country for housing, food and expenses until receiving your first paycheck, which is typically 30 days after start of contract.