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.