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.