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.
Argentina
- Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
- Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
- Peak Hiring Season: March-April, 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): $1,200 - 1,500 (17,395 - 21,740 ARS)
- Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $600 - 900 (8,700 – 13,000 ARS)
- Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $600 - 900 (8,700 – 13,000 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): $600 - 900 (4,000 – 6,150 BOB)
- Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $400 - 600 (2,700 – 4,000 BOB)
- Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $400 - 600 (2,700 – 4,000 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 Skype in advance
- Visa: Tourist visa
- Typical Students: Business professionals
- Housing: Not included
- Reimbursed Airfare: No
- Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,800 - 2,100 (6,650 – 7,760 BRL)
- Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $1,200 - 1,400 (4,400 – 5,100 BRL))
- Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $1,200 - 1,400 (4,400 – 5,100 BRL)
Chile
- Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
- Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
- Peak Hiring Season: March-April, 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): $2,070 - 2,520 (1,410,155 – 1,720,175 CLP)
- Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $900 - 1,200 (600,000 - 810,000 CLP)
- Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $900 - 1,200 (600,000 - 810,000 CLP)
InterExchange's School Teaching Assistant Chile program is volunteer, but includes free housing and half board with a host family, as well as a one-week orientation in Santiago. School and host family placements are secured prior to departing the U.S.
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): $750 - 1,350 (2,304,170 – 4,148,290 COP)
- Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $500 – 1,000 (1,500,000 – 3,000,000 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): $1050 - 1,200 (561,475 – 637,580 CRC)
- Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $700 - 900 (375,000 - 480,000 CRC)
- Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $700 - 900 (375,000 - 480,000 CRC)
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): $750 - 1,050
- Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD): $500 - 700
- Avg. Monthly Salary (USD): $500 - 700
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
- Housing: Not included
- Reimbursed Airfare: No
- Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,600 - 2,200 (28,240 – 38,830 MXN)
- Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $600 – 900 (11,000 – 14,000 MXN)
- Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $600 – 900 (11,000 – 14,000 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: Business professionals, children
- Housing: Not included
- Reimbursed Airfare: No
- Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $600 - 900 (16,950 – 25,420 NIO)
- Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $300 - 600 (8,500 – 17,000 NIO)
- Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $300 - 600 (8,500 – 17,000 NIO)
Panama
- Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
- Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
- Peak Hiring Season: February-March, July0August
- 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 - 2,025
- Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD): $900 - 1,100
- Avg. Monthly Salary (USD): $900 - 1,100
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): $1,350 - 1,500 (4,555 – 6,830 PEN)
- Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $600 - 900 (2,000 – 3,000 PEN)
- Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $600 - 900 (2,000 – 3,000 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): $2,100 – 2,500 (67,470 – 80,320 UYU)
- Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $900 – 1,100 (29,000 - 35,000 UYU)
- Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $900 – 1,100 (29,000 - 35,000 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.
TEFL Certification
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Details
- Age
- 18 and up
- Citizenship
- U.S.
- Duration
- full-time 4 weeks
- part-time 11 weeks
- Start Dates
- Year-round
- Job Markets
