Teach English in Uruguay

New to teaching English abroad? Uruguay is a great place to start. 

Located in South America, this small but vibrant country is known for its friendly locals, picturesque beaches, and rich cultural heritage.

With a stable economy and a low crime rate, Uruguay is fast becoming a hotspot for both tourists and expats alike. Its sidewalk cafes and interesting architecture can make it feel more like a European city, but it has all the flair of a South American country.

Come to think of it, Uruguay is an ideal destination for English teachers. Here’s why.

Uruguay is an attractive destination if you’re looking to teach English abroad because of its high standard of living and welcoming culture. Uruguay is a mix of metropolitan chic and rural wilderness. 

Uruguay’s thriving economy and growing tourism industry have created a demand for English language skills, making it an excellent time to start your teaching career in the country.

Ready to take the plunge? Start your teaching course journey with a certified TEFL course provider.

While there are teaching opportunities throughout the country, the capital city of Montevideo and other urban centres like Canelones, Punta del Este and Colonia del Sacramento offers the most English teaching jobs in Uruguay. These cities are home to language schools, international schools, and private institutions that frequently hire English teachers.

Montevideo

A surfer’s paradise

Montevideo is the cultural and economic centre of the country, making it an excellent place to start your teaching career in Uruguay. It’s situated on the coast, making it a great option for water lovers, but it offers a range of outdoor activities to enjoy too. A historic city with cobblestone streets, it has a distinctly European feel.

Canelones

For the wine lovers

Canelones is a city in southern Uruguay. It’s an agricultural area, with a large part of its tourist attractions revolving around wine and wine farms. 

Punta del Este 

The tourist destination

Punta del Este is Uruguay’s most famous tourist destination, with Uruguay’s most prestigious beach resort. Think high-end restaurants and swanky nightclubs – it’s no wonder it’s known as the St. Tropez of Uruguay.

Native English proficiency is expected. Citizenship from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa is preferred but not required. 

Visa requirements

To work legally in Uruguay, you’ll need a temporary residence permit or Cedula. You can apply for a work visa at the Uruguayan consulate in your home country or on the ground in Uruguay -which is most common.  Alternatively, some employers may sponsor your visa application.

TEFL certification

Most employers in Uruguay require a TEFL certification, which demonstrates your ability to teach English as a foreign language. You can earn your TEFL certification online or in-person.

We recommend you choose a Level 5 TEFL Combined Course (168 hours) if you don’t have any teaching experience – this TEFL course will give you in-class teaching practice to supplement your theoretical knowledge.

Bachelor’s degree

A Bachelor’s degree is not required to teach English in Uruguay, though it is preferred by employers. The degree can be in any field.

Experience

Teaching experience is not always necessary, but it can be an advantage in the job market.

Start-up capital

While the cost of living in Uruguay is relatively affordable, you’ll need some start-up capital (between $1,600 and $2,000 ) to cover your initial settlement expenses – such as housing, transportation, and other necessities.

• Accommodation: First month’s rent and security deposit.
• TEFL certification: A TEFL course can cost between $100 and $500, depending on the length and level of the course and the course provider. 
• Document fees: Any costs related to certifying and notarising your degree and TEFL certificate.
• Flight ticket: Variable. 
• Visa application: The cost of getting a visa is subject to your home country. A cedula costs about $42.
• Living expenses: You will need one month’s worth of start-up capital of about to live off until your first paycheque. On average, this will be about $750, excluding rent.

There are only a few options for English teaching jobs available in Uruguay:  private tutoring, teaching at a language schools, or teaching online. 

• Private tutoring: Some English teachers in Uruguay work independently as private tutors, offering one-on-one lessons to students. Students are generally adult learners.
• Language schools: Language schools in Uruguay hire English teachers to teach classes of varying sizes and levels. These schools offer a structured curriculum and support for their teachers. Students are adults. Teachers work 20 – 25 hours a week.
• Online: Teaching English online is an attractive option in Uruguay. For the majority of nationalities, it’s simple and straightforward to enter Uruguay. Most nationalities can stay in Uruguay for three months. With the warm weather, laid-back vibes and good connectivity, teaching English online in Uruguay is becoming a very popular option for TEFL teachers.

It’s challenging to secure a job from outside the country. This means that you may need to secure a teaching job by actually being in Uruguay. 

Start by researching potential employers and sending out your CV and cover letters. You can reach out to recruitment agencies and look on jobs boards. Networking with other teachers and expats can also lead to job opportunities. Successful applicants are shortlisted and interviewed online, though secondary interviews may be contacted in the country.

• The average salary of English teachers in Uruguay is between $U 30,000 and $U 50,000 ($900 and $1,300) a month. 
• Teachers can charge $U400 – $750 ($10 – $20) for private lessons.
• Online English teachers charge from $U500 – $U1,000 ($15 – $30) an hour.

Though these figures may seem low, Uruguay is known as having the lowest cost of living in South America so your teaching salary can go far.

Besides the warm weather, safety and relaxed way of living, Uruguay is attractive to TEFL teachers because of its low cost of living.

Let’s look at the general cost of living in Uruguay so you can see what we mean:

Accommodation

• One-bedroom apartment in city centre: $U 22,000 ($565)
• One-bedroom apartment outside city centre: $U 17,000 (436)

 Utilities

• Electricity, water, and gas: $U 5,200 ($135)

 Food and groceries

• Monthly shop: $U 20,000 ($500)
• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $U600 ($15)

 Transport

• One-way bus ticket: $U50 ($1.20)
• A monthly pass:  $U1,800 ($45)

 Internet

• Unlimited:  $U 1,500 ($38)

 Entertainment

• Gym, cinema, clubbing: $U 5,000 ($130)

The cost of living in Uruguay is relatively affordable, especially compared to other South American countries. While salaries for English teachers are quite modest, it’s possible to live comfortably and even save money by budgeting carefully. Airfare and housing are usually the responsibility of the teachers. And many teachers supplement their incomes with private lessons or online teaching. 

And if we’re honest, we’re not coming to Uruguay to make millions, are we? We’re here for the vida tranquila!

Uruguay is a diverse and welcoming country with a rich cultural heritage. The country’s history and culture are celebrated through its architecture, museums, music, and festivals. You can even catch a ferry across Rio Del La Plata to the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires. 

Uruguay is one of the most stable countries in South America. It has low crime rates and due to increased trade with North America, it now has a large export market. The cost of living in Uruguay is low, but this also means that the salaries are low. 

Your working hours may be unpredictable. Some institutions will insist that you are on call from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., which is an unreasonable request if you are not being compensated for these overtime hours.

Uruguay is very forward-thinking when it comes to digital literacy. The One Laptop Per Child initiative was launched in 2009 which provided each student in their education system with a laptop for educational purposes. 

Start your teaching journey with an accredited TEFL course provider.