Teaching in South America

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Teaching in South America

Mexico, Central & South America offer some of the most rewarding teaching environments. The continent is vast and offers an inspirational array of cultures and landscapes to explore.

Inspirational array of cultures and landscapes to explore...

The region is less popular as a "backpacking" destination for European travellers; as a result many of the areas often feel as though they are "off the beaten track", but don't let this put you off. Latin America can be the perfect start for a new TEFL teacher's journey.

Summertime in most of South America is the opposite of that in the UK. Summer holidays finish at the end of January and so a major hiring season is February/March; the secondary hiring season is in July/August. Interviews can begin months in advance.

Wages are modest in the region, but the cost of living is very low. TEFL teacher can enjoy a far more comfortable lifestyle than many of the locals. Most jobs are teaching adults in private language schools. One of the biggest bonuses to the region is that university degrees are not required for most countries.

Schools will help their TEFL teacher acclimatise to the locality and will help teachers find suitable accommodation. Many teachers often start at one school at the same time and end up finding and sharing accommodation together. This is also a great way to meet new friends.

Teaching requirements by country

Country Degree Requirement Typical Contract Length Peak Hiring Seasons Visa Info Typical Students Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency
Argentina
 Not required 6 - 12 months January - September Tourist visa convert to work visa Business professionals, children 3,600 - 6,100 ARS (370 GBP - 630 GBP) 3,600 - 6,100 ARS (370 GBP - 630 GBP)
Belize
 BA/BS required 12 months May, June Work visa Students BZD 2 800 – BZD 3 600 (£950 – £1 200) BZD3 600 – BZD 4 400 (£1 220 – £ 1 500)
Bolivia
 Not required 1 - 12 months January - February and June - July Tourist visa Business professionals, children 2,780 - 4,174 BOB (250 - 375 GBP) 2,780 - 4,174 BOB (250 - 375 GBP)
Brazil
 Not required 1 - 6 months March - August Tourist visa Business professionals, children 1,850 - 3,555 BRL (250 - 375 GBP) 1,850 - 3,555 BRL (250 - 375 GBP)
Chile
 BA/BS required 6 - 12 months March - August Tourist visa convert to work visa Business professionals, children 415,250 - 519,000 CLP (496 - 620 GBP) 210,000 - 777,444 CLP (250 - 930 GBP)
Colombia
 Not required 6 - 12 months March - August Work visa Business professionals, children 958,962 - 1,342,550 COP (310 - 435 GBP) 1,342,550 - 1,917,000 COP (435 - 620 GBP)
Costa Rica
 Not required 6 - 12 months October - December Tourist visa Business professionals, children 240,000 - 400,000 CRC (300 - 500 GBP) 252,000 - 544,400 CRC (315 - 680 GBP)
Ecuador
 Not required 6 - 12 months February - March and July - August Tourist visa Business professionals, children 400 - 700 USD (250 - 435 GBP) 400 - 800 USD (250 - 496 GBP)
Mexico
 Not required 6 – 12 months May - August Work visa Business professionals, children 3,870 - 9,100 MXP (185 - 435 GBP) 5,230 - 19,460 MXP (250 - 930 GBP)
Nicaragua
 BA/BS preferred 1 month – 12 months January-February and July, year-round tourist visa, work permit children, adults 15 000 – 23 500 NIO (400 – 645 GBP) approx. 15 000 – 70 000 NIO (400 – 2 000 GBP)
Panama
 Not required 6 - 12 months March - August Tourist visa or work visa Business professionals, children 700 - 1,000 PAB (185 - 620 GBP) 800 - 2,500 PAB (250 - 1,460 GBP)
Paraguay
 Not required 6 – 12 months March Work permit Students PYG 7 500 000 – PYG 10 000 000 (£1 100 – £ 1 400) PYG 5 000 000 – PYG 10 000 000 (£ 670 – £ 1 340)
Peru
 Not required 6 - 12 months All year round Tourist visa or work visa Business professionals, children 800-1,500 PEN (175 - 330GBP) 1,120-2,240 PEN (250 - 495 GBP)
Puerto Rico
 BA/BS required 6 – 12 months Year-round Work visa Students $1 200 – $1 700 (£800 – £ 1 200) : $1500 – $2500 (£1 000 – £1 700)
Uruguay
 Not required 6 - 12 months March - August Work visa Business professionals, children 6,230 - 10,435 UYU (185 - 310 GBP) 6,230 - 10,435 UYU (185 - 310 GBP)
Argentina
Degree Requirement:
Not required
Typical Contract Length:
6 - 12 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
January - September
Visa Info:
Tourist visa convert to work visa
Typical Students:
Business professionals, children
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
3,600 - 6,100 ARS (370 GBP - 630 GBP)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
3,600 - 6,100 ARS (370 GBP - 630 GBP)
Belize
Degree Requirement:
BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length:
12 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
May, June
Visa Info:
Work visa
Typical Students:
Students
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
BZD 2 800 – BZD 3 600 (£950 – £1 200)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
BZD3 600 – BZD 4 400 (£1 220 – £ 1 500)
Bolivia
Degree Requirement:
Not required
Typical Contract Length:
1 - 12 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
January - February and June - July
Visa Info:
Tourist visa
Typical Students:
Business professionals, children
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
2,780 - 4,174 BOB (250 - 375 GBP)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
2,780 - 4,174 BOB (250 - 375 GBP)
Brazil
Degree Requirement:
Not required
Typical Contract Length:
1 - 6 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
March - August
Visa Info:
Tourist visa
Typical Students:
Business professionals, children
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
1,850 - 3,555 BRL (250 - 375 GBP)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
1,850 - 3,555 BRL (250 - 375 GBP)
Chile
Degree Requirement:
BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length:
6 - 12 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
March - August
Visa Info:
Tourist visa convert to work visa
Typical Students:
Business professionals, children
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
415,250 - 519,000 CLP (496 - 620 GBP)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
210,000 - 777,444 CLP (250 - 930 GBP)
Colombia
Degree Requirement:
Not required
Typical Contract Length:
6 - 12 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
March - August
Visa Info:
Work visa
Typical Students:
Business professionals, children
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
958,962 - 1,342,550 COP (310 - 435 GBP)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
1,342,550 - 1,917,000 COP (435 - 620 GBP)
Costa Rica
Degree Requirement:
Not required
Typical Contract Length:
6 - 12 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
October - December
Visa Info:
Tourist visa
Typical Students:
Business professionals, children
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
240,000 - 400,000 CRC (300 - 500 GBP)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
252,000 - 544,400 CRC (315 - 680 GBP)
Ecuador
Degree Requirement:
Not required
Typical Contract Length:
6 - 12 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
February - March and July - August
Visa Info:
Tourist visa
Typical Students:
Business professionals, children
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
400 - 700 USD (250 - 435 GBP)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
400 - 800 USD (250 - 496 GBP)
Mexico
Degree Requirement:
Not required
Typical Contract Length:
6 – 12 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
May - August
Visa Info:
Work visa
Typical Students:
Business professionals, children
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
3,870 - 9,100 MXP (185 - 435 GBP)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
5,230 - 19,460 MXP (250 - 930 GBP)
Nicaragua
Degree Requirement:
BA/BS preferred
Typical Contract Length:
1 month – 12 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
January-February and July, year-round
Visa Info:
tourist visa, work permit
Typical Students:
children, adults
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
15 000 – 23 500 NIO (400 – 645 GBP)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
approx. 15 000 – 70 000 NIO (400 – 2 000 GBP)
Panama
Degree Requirement:
Not required
Typical Contract Length:
6 - 12 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
March - August
Visa Info:
Tourist visa or work visa
Typical Students:
Business professionals, children
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
700 - 1,000 PAB (185 - 620 GBP)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
800 - 2,500 PAB (250 - 1,460 GBP)
Paraguay
Degree Requirement:
Not required
Typical Contract Length:
6 – 12 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
March
Visa Info:
Work permit
Typical Students:
Students
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
PYG 7 500 000 – PYG 10 000 000 (£1 100 – £ 1 400)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
PYG 5 000 000 – PYG 10 000 000 (£ 670 – £ 1 340)
Peru
Degree Requirement:
Not required
Typical Contract Length:
6 - 12 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
All year round
Visa Info:
Tourist visa or work visa
Typical Students:
Business professionals, children
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
800-1,500 PEN (175 - 330GBP)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
1,120-2,240 PEN (250 - 495 GBP)
Puerto Rico
Degree Requirement:
BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length:
6 – 12 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
Year-round
Visa Info:
Work visa
Typical Students:
Students
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
$1 200 – $1 700 (£800 – £ 1 200)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
: $1500 – $2500 (£1 000 – £1 700)
Uruguay
Degree Requirement:
Not required
Typical Contract Length:
6 - 12 months
Peak Hiring Seasons:
March - August
Visa Info:
Work visa
Typical Students:
Business professionals, children
Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:
6,230 - 10,435 UYU (185 - 310 GBP)
Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:
6,230 - 10,435 UYU (185 - 310 GBP)

Please note the information provided above is given as a general guide only. Information and currency conversions were correct at the time of publication, but they may change at any time.

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