World TEFL Factbook | Ultimate Guide to Teaching English Abroad

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)

Bhutan

Degree Requirement:

BA/ BS/BEd degree preferred but not required

Typical Contract Length:

12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

December, January and May, June

Visa Info:

work visa

Typical Students:

children, adults, monks

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

10 000 – 15 000 BTN (120 – 180 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

approx. 20 000 – 30 000 BTN (240 – 360 GBP)

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)

Cambodia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6-12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

All year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,973,453 - 4,473,160 KHR (300 - 680 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

2,861,507 - 4,473,160 KHR (435 - 680 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)

Egypt

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

3 - 24 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

May -August, all year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa or work visa in advance.

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,370 – 7,860 EGP (300 – 700 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

5,500 – 12,350 EGP (490 – 1,100 GBP)

Greece

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6- 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September & January

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)

India

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round

Visa Info:

Work permit

Typical Students:

Students, professionals

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

36 000 INR – 55 000 INR (£100 – £ 600)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

32 000 INR – 59 000 INR (£ 350 – £680)

Indonesia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

All year round

Visa Info:

Work visa in advance

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

6,000,000 - 9,000,000 IDR (350 - 500 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

10,000,000 - 13,500,000 IDR (550 - 750 GBP)

Jordan

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

July - August, all year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

695 – 930 JOD (600 – 800 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

695 – 930 JOD (600 – 800 GBP)

Lebanon

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6- 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

All year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

775 – 1,550 LBP (315 – 630 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

775 – 1,550 LBP (315 – 630 GBP)

Madagascar

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

9 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Children,adults

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

MGA 1 800 000 – MGA 2 500 000 (£400 – £ 550)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

MGA 2 500 000 – MGA 3 700 000 (£ 550 – £ 814)

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)

Morocco

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6- 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

All year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

4,000 - 10,000 MAD (295 – 740 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

4,000 - 10,000 MAD (295 – 740 GBP)

New Zealand

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

Monthly

Peak Hiring Seasons:

January, June, November

Visa Info:

Working Holiday visa

Typical Students:

Students, professionals

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

NZD 1300 – NZD 1550 (£1000 – £1500)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

NZD 3350 – NZD 5000 (£1665 – £2500)

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)

Poland

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

9 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

October and January

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or working visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

700 – 1,400 EUR (586 - 1,170 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

700 – 1,400 EUR (586 - 1,170 GBP)

Romania

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

9 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September - June

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,100 – 2,200 RON (205 - 410 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,100 – 2,200 RON (205 - 410 GBP)

Russia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

9 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September - June

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

20,000 – 33,000 RUB (370 - 612 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

20,000 – 33,000 RUB (370 - 612 GBP)

Slovakia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

June and September

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

460 – 915 EUR (400 - 795 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

460 – 915 EUR (400 - 795 GBP)

South Africa

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

Monthly

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round, especially October

Visa Info:

Work permit

Typical Students:

University students, professionals

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

approx. R7 500 – R8 500 (£415 – £480)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

approx. R10 000 – R12 000 (£550 – £680)

Spain

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September - October

Visa Info:

EU Citizenship or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)

Sri Lanka

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round

Visa Info:

Work permit

Typical Students:

Children,adults

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

50 000 LKR – 80 000 LKR (£250 – £400)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

25 000LKR – 50 000LKR (£130 – £260)

Turkey

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round language schools, September - public and private schools

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,390 – 5,085 TRY (500 - 750 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

5.085 – 12,205 TRY (750 - 1,800 GBP)

Turkey

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round language schools, September - public and private schools

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,390 – 5,085 TRY (500 - 750 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

5.085 – 12,205 TRY (750 - 1,800 GBP)

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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