Teaching jobs in South America
TEFL Jobs in Argentina: The level of demand for native speakers in Argentina is reasonably high. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are relatively low and due to moderate living costs you certainly won’t be able to save much, if at all. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. Unfortunately non-Argentinians are not allowed to teach in public (state) schools so you are limited to language centres and the few bilingual schools that exist. There is a high turnover of staff at language centres which says a great deal about the pros and cons. Geography: Argentina is a massive South American nation with terrain encompassing Andes mountains, glacial lakes and Pampas grassland, the traditional grazing ground of its famed beef cattle. The country is famous for tango dance and music. Its big, cosmopolitan capital, Buenos Aires, is centered on the Plaza de Mayo, lined with stately 19th-century buildings including Casa Rosada, the iconic, balconied presidential palace.
TEFL Jobs in Brazil: The level of demand for native speakers in Brazil is reasonably high. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are relatively low and despite reasonably low living costs you certainly won’t be able to save much, if at all. Brazil is a remarkable, diverse country but your chances of seeing much of it whilst teaching are rather low given the poor pay and lack of holidays. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. There is a high turnover of staff at language centres which says a great deal about the pros and cons. Geography: Brazil, a vast South American country, stretches from the Amazon Basin in the north to vineyards and massive Iguaçu Falls in the south. Rio de Janeiro, symbolized by its 38m Christ the Redeemer statue atop Mount Corcovado, is famed for its busy Copacabana and Ipanema beaches as well as its enormous, raucous Carnaval festival, featuring parade floats, flamboyant costumes and samba music and dance.
TEFL Jobs in Colombia: The level of demand for native speakers in Colombia is reasonably high. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are relatively low and despite reasonably low living costs you certainly won’t be able to save much, if at all. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. Colombia has a poor reputation but there have been considerable improvements in recent years with regard to the reduction of crime and the nightlife in Bogota is excellent. There is a high turnover of staff at many language centres across Latin America which says a great deal about the pros and cons. Geography: Colombia is a country at the northern tip of South America. It's landscape is marked by rainforests, Andes mountains and numerous coffee plantations. In the high-altitude capital, Bogotá, the Zona Rosa district is known for its restaurants and shops. Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast, has a walled colonial Old Town, a 16th-century castle and nearby coral reefs.
TEFL Jobs in Mexico: The level of demand for native speakers in Mexico is very high. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are relatively low and despite reasonably low living costs you certainly won’t be able to save much. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. There is a high turnover of staff at many language centres which says a great deal about the pros and cons. Employers can be unreliable and have unreasonable demands such as the common one that you are effectively ‘on call’ from 8am to 8pm or similar. You are rarely paid for travelling from one location or class to another and this can take up a significant chunk of your daily schedule. Geography: Mexico is a country between the U.S. and Central America that's known for its Pacific and Gulf of Mexico beaches and its diverse landscape of mountains, deserts and jungles. Ancient ruins such as Teotihuacán and the Mayan city of Chichén Itzá are scattered throughout the country, as are Spanish colonial-era towns. In capital Mexico City, upscale shops, renowned museums and gourmet restaurants cater to modern life.
TEFL Jobs in Bolivia: Home to the highest capital city in the world and fascinating ancient traditions, Bolivia is a fantastic country for the adventurous. The level of demand for native speakers in Bolivia is reasonably high. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are relatively low and despite reasonably low living costs you certainly won’t be able to save much, if at all. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. Most cities have a Centro Boliviano Americano which tend to be one of the better places to work. Geography: Bolivia is a country in central South America, with a varied terrain spanning Andes Mountains, the Atacama Desert and Amazon Basin rainforest. At more than 3,500m, its administrative capital, La Paz, sits on the Andes’ Altiplano plateau with snow-capped Mt. Illimani in the background. Nearby is glass-smooth Lake Titicaca, the continent’s largest lake, straddling the border with Peru. Home to the highest capital city in the world and fascinating ancient traditions, Bolivia is a fantastic country for the adventurous.
TEFL Jobs in Chile: The level of demand for native speakers in Chile is very high. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are relatively low and despite reasonably low living costs you certainly won’t be able to save much, if at all. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. There is a high turnover of staff at many language centres which says a great deal about the pros and cons. Geography: Chile is a long, narrow country stretching along South America's western edge, with more than 6,000km of Pacific Ocean coastline. Santiago, its capital, sits in a valley surrounded by the Andes and Chilean Coast Range mountains. The city's palm-lined Plaza de Armas contains the neoclassical cathedral and the National History Museum. The massive Parque Metropolitano offers swimming pools, a botanical garden and zoo.
TEFL Jobs in Peru: Famous for the Inca Trail and fascinating traditional culture, Peru is a great country for the adventurous. The level of demand for native speakers is moderately high but much of the posts advertised involve volunteering. Whilst this is a good option for teachers without experience, paid positions are available in the major cities although they are far from lucrative. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. Geography: Peru is a country in South America that's home to a section of Amazon rainforest and Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city high in the Andes mountains. The region around Machu Picchu, including the Sacred Valley, Inca Trail and colonial city of Cusco, is rich in archaeological sites. On Peru’s arid Pacific coast is Lima, the capital, with a preserved colonial center and important collections of pre-Columbian art. Famous for the Inca Trail and fascinating traditional culture, Peru is a great country for the adventurous.
TEFL Jobs in Paraguay: A poor but fascinating nation of ancient traditions, Paraguay is a great country for the adventurous. The level of demand for native speakers in Paraguay is moderately high and the start of term at the beginning of March is generally the best time to look for work. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are relatively low and despite low living costs you certainly won’t be able to save much, if at all. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. Geography: Paraguay is a landlocked country between Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia, home to large swaths of swampland, subtropical forest and chaco, wildernesses comprising savanna and scrubland. The capital, Asunción, on the banks of the Paraguay River, is home to the grand Government Palace and the Museo del Barro, displaying pre-Columbian ceramics and ñandutí lacework, the latter available in many shops. A poor but fascinating nation of ancient traditions, Paraguay is a great country for the adventurous.
TEFL Jobs in Belize: The official language of Belize is English so there is not much demand for English tuition. You may be able to find volunteering opportunities but any paid positions will be very poorly-paid. As in most Latin American countries the people are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. The country offers excellent opportunities to those interested in outdoor pursuits such as scuba diving and jungle trekking. However, the crime rate is relatively high so it is crucial to get as much advice about where and where not to go. Geography: Belize is a nation on the eastern coast of Central America, with Caribbean Sea shorelines to the east and dense jungle to the west. Offshore, the massive Belize Barrier Reef, dotted with hundreds of low-lying islands called cayes, hosts rich marine life. Belize’s jungle areas are home to Mayan ruins like Caracol, renowned for its towering pyramid; lagoon-side Lamanai; and Altun Ha, just outside Belize City.
TEFL Jobs in Nicaragua: One of the safer Central American nations, Nicaragua is a beautiful country of superb volcanoes and other natural scenery. The level of demand for native speakers is rather low but most TEFL-qualified teachers can find job openings. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are relatively low and despite very low living costs you certainly won’t be able to save much, if at all. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. If you are experienced, persistent and hard-working then you may be lucky to find one of the few well-paid positions, such as those at local universities and bilingual schools. Geography: Nicaragua, set between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, is a Central American nation known for its dramatic terrain of lakes, volcanoes and beaches. Vast Lake Managua and the iconic stratovolcano Momotombo sit north of the capital Managua. To its south is Granada, noted for its Spanish colonial architecture and an archipelago of navigable islets rich in tropical bird life.
TEFL Jobs in Costa Rica: A land of beautiful beaches and a laidback lifestyle, Costa Rica is one of the most popular Latin American destinations for TEFL teachers. The level of demand for native speakers in Costa Rica is reasonably high. TEFL salaries are relatively low but more than cover the low cost of living. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. Costa Rica has a mixed reputation when it comes to crime so make sure you do your research on how to stay safe. More generally, there is a high turnover of staff at language centres across Latin America. If you hold a TEFL certificate, are experienced, persistent and hard-working then you may be lucky to find one of the more well-paid positions, such as those at bilingual schools. For the majority, TEFL in Costa Rica is a fun experience. Geography: Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Though its capital, San Jose, is home to cultural institutions like the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity. Roughly a quarter of its area is made up of protected jungle, teeming with wildlife including spider monkeys and quetzal birds.
TEFL Jobs in Panama: Perhaps the safest of all Latin American nations, the small country of Panama is a great place for those who are worried about living in the more dangerous countries in this region of the world. There are strong ties between the USA and Panama, to the extent that the currency is the US Dollar. No surprises then that English is spoken fluently by 20% or so of the inhabitants. The level of demand for native speaker teachers is moderate and most TEFL-qualified teachers can find job openings. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are low to moderate and you certainly won’t be able to save much, if at all. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. If you are experienced, persistent and hard-working then you may be lucky to find one of the well-paid positions, such as those at local universities and bilingual schools. Geography: Panama is a country on the isthmus linking Central and South America. The Panama Canal, a famous feat of human engineering, cuts through its center, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to create an essential shipping route. In the capital, Panama City, modern skyscrapers, casinos and nightclubs contrast with colonial buildings in the Casco Viejo district and the rainforest of Natural Metropolitan Park.
TEFL Jobs in Uruguay: A small, low-lying, mainly undeveloped nation of ancient traditions, Uruguay is a great country for the adventurous. The level of demand for native speakers in Uruguay is moderately high and the crime rate is one of the lowest in Latin America. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are relatively low and despite low living costs you certainly won’t be able to save much, if at all. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. Employers at some language centres can be unreliable and have unreasonable demands such as the common one that you are effectively ‘on call’ from 8am to 8pm or similar. You are rarely paid for travelling from one location or class to another and this can take up a significant chunk of your daily schedule. If you are experienced and hard-working then you may be lucky to find one of the few well-paid positions, such as those at bilingual schools.
TEFL Jobs in Guatemala: Guatemala has a poor reputation when it comes to crime to make sure you do your research on how to stay safe. There is a high turnover of staff at many language centres across Latin America which says a great deal about the pros and cons. Guatemala is a beautiful country of superb volcanoes and other natural scenery. The city of Antigua is one of the top tourist destinations in Central America. The level of demand for native speakers is rather low but most TEFL-qualified teachers can find jobs in Guatemala City. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are relatively low and despite very low living costs you certainly won’t be able to save much, if at all. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach.
TEFL Jobs in Ecuador: Ecuador is a beautiful country of beaches, mountains and jungle. The level of demand for native speakers is rather low but most TEFL-qualified teachers can find jobs in the capital city. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are relatively low and despite low living costs you certainly won’t be able to save much, if at all. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. Ecuador has a poor reputation when it comes to crime to make sure you do your research on how to stay safe. There is a high turnover of staff at many language centres across Latin America which says a great deal about the pros and cons. Employers can be unreliable and have unreasonable demands such as the common one that you are effectively ‘on call’ from 8am to 8pm or similar. There are plenty of other native speakers looking for short-term employment but many leave after just a few months due to the poor pay and the fact that many private students cancel at short notice. If you are experienced, persistent and hard-working then you may be lucky to find one of the few well-paid positions, such as those at bilingual schools.
TEFL Jobs in Honduras: Honduras is a very poor and crime-ridden country but your assistance in teaching English will be of great benefit to those you encounter in your classes. The level of demand for native speakers is rather low (for paying positions) but there are tons of volunteering opportunities and most TEFL-qualified teachers can find jobs in Tegucigalpa. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are relatively low and despite very low living costs you certainly won’t be able to save much, if at all. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. Honduras has a poor reputation when it comes to crime to make sure you do your research on how to stay safe. Honduras is a poor country but your assistance in teaching English will be of great benefit to those you encounter in your classes. Enjoy year ’round what others indulge in over vacation – exclusive resorts, world-renowned dive sites and amazing cuisine. Relax in calm, clear waters while fishing for wahoo, mahi mahi, snapper and tuna, or perfect your golf game. Get to know the Bay islands of Honduras and it will soon win you over with its brilliant ocean blues, palm tree greens, and warm tropical breezes.
