The first advantage of choosing Guatemala as your intended location is the amount of teaching positions available. Guatemala is certainly a developing country, a fact highlighted by its tourism boom, and there are more than enough voluntary and paid teaching positions to go around.

The voluntary positions, which are extremely popular with adventurous teachers hoping to make a difference in the poorer areas of the country, are normally through well-organised NGOs or volunteer schemes. These organisations may not offer a salary, but may provide accommodation and minimal living expenses. Due to the nature of the work you should expect very little in the way of resources or materials; an annoyance for some teachers but a rewarding challenge to others. The conditions in which you may be asked to work might be basic, yet if you have accepted a position with a reputable organisation you can expect it to be safe and supportive.

There are also a number of private academies where you may find positions, the majority of these within the main cities: Guatemala City, Quetzaltenango and Antigua. Salaries within these academies may not be high, though there may be long hours offered, so for the keen teacher you may live in relative comfort with the option of subsidising your position with private lessons. Of course, these academies will vary in terms of available material and resources, so it is a good idea to do a little research online to see if you can find any comments from past or present teachers.

As mentioned, private lessons are a great way to subsidise your monthly salary. Due to the tourism boom, both children and adults alike are keen to improve their English. The chance to test your teaching ability with various levels and ages is therefore, another advantage to a Guatemalan location. Within state schools, many of which may require mother-tongue teaching assistants, English is part of the curriculum. You should not be surprised to find that your students are extremely keen to learn or improve their language.

Of course, due to Guatemala’s fantastic location, considerations such as obtaining a working visa must be looked into. For a teacher hoping to spend just a few months in this stunning and historically rich country, this is not a problem, as a 90-day visa can be obtained and renewed with ease. Also, whereas a degree is a definite benefit which may offer you better paid jobs, it is in no way essential.

Although not for everybody, Guatemala offers an exciting opportunity for a teacher looking for a rewarding challenge.