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Teaching English in Latin America: Finding Jobs by Country

English Language Links Visitors and Residents


Resources updated 2/21/2023 by TransitionsAbroad.com

Map of  Latin America

The vast continent of South America holds an almost infinite range of opportunities for anyone who aspires to share their native English. From the specialized training for Santiago and Caracas business communities to the informal conversation exchanges with Mexican fishermen and Peruvian waitpersons, the English language provides a critical link between visitors and residents.

Apart from a few popular cities, you seldom find the glut of teachers elsewhere, possibly because South America is often pictured as a place of poverty and crime, danger and corruption, dictators and drug barons. In fact, South America is home to a staggering variety of charming and generous people, from café-culture urbanites to street kids, many of whom are eager to meet travelers and improve their knowledge of the gringos’ native tongue. The stampede to learn English seems unstoppable.

In the big cities, the most significant demand for English comes from the business community. And because of the strong commercial links between the two American continents, the market tends to be for American English. The whole continent is culturally and economically oriented towards the U.S.

Novice teachers are more likely to be employed by one of the language school chains like English First and Wall Street Institutes, which offer part-time contracts and relatively low wages at first. (Note: See all links to job and training sites at the of the article.)

Several South American nations have American- or British-style bilingual schools and colegios. Although they usually hire state-accredited teachers, many take on students and university graduates looking for brief work experience as classroom assistants.

An increasing number of language schools offer Spanish instruction to paying foreigners in the mornings and arrange a community volunteer program in the afternoons, for example, CIS El Salvador.

International TEFL and TESOL Training (ITTT) is a language training company offering TEFL teacher certification and job placement assistance programs in Latin America and worldwide. International TEFL Academy provides training and placement assistance for paid jobs in various Latin American countries.

Even the poorest of Latin American nations offer possibilities to EFL teachers, provided they are prepared to accept a low wage. In contrast to an hourly wage of $10-$30 in Europeanized cities like Santiago and Rio, the salaries paid by language schools in La Paz and Quito may be closer to $5-8.

Picking up Casual Work in Latin America

Many aspiring teachers find that the response to sending their resumés to addresses abroad is a disappointment. It is better to present yourself in person, although having sent a "warm-up" resumé beforehand can do your cause no harm. Finding casual teaching work is a matter of asking around and knocking on enough doors.

English language bookstores are another possible source of teaching leads; try, for example, the English Book Center in Guayaquil (Ecuador) or Books and Bits in Santiago (Chile). Many foreign teachers are simultaneously learning Spanish, so a good place to link up with people in the know is to visit the local Instituto de Lengua Espanola para Extranjeros or its equivalent. Search the web or check the telephone directory for schools or agencies.

Teaching Credentials Not Always Required

Teachers tend to agree that Latin American students are a joy to teach because they love to talk. Suppose you have plenty of enthusiasm in addition to a good education, are carrying references and diplomas, and are prepared to stay for an academic year. In that case, fixing a contract with a well-established language institute should be possible. Many institutes offer their own compulsory pre-job training.

The academic year begins in February or early March and lasts until December. The best time to look for work is a few weeks before the end of the summer holidays. However, many institutes run 8- to 12-week courses year-round and will hire a native speaker whatever the time of year.

In-company teaching usually occurs early in the morning; a popular starting time is 7 a.m. People learning English outside their workplaces typically sign up for evening lessons. Most teachers enjoy off-site teaching more than classroom teaching, which tends to be more textbook-based.

Work visas require gathering a battery of documents — including notarized and officially translated copies of teaching qualifications, a police clearance, etc. — and paying a hefty fee. Consequently, a high percentage of teachers work on tourist visas. These must be kept up-to-date by applying for an extension from the immigration department or crossing into and back from a neighboring country.

Not only will a stint of teaching be good for learning a language, but it will also give you the chance to experience the notorious Latin zest for life.

 English Teaching Employment Contacts in Latin America
Multi-Country Job Placements in Latin America

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, English Language Specialist Program. Part of the State Department, this office runs a network of overseas field offices based in U.S. Embassies, many of which have English teaching programs employing native speakers of American English. Binational Centers offer English instruction in most of the countries of Latin America; contact details are available online.

International TEFL and TESOL Training provides training and job placement assistance in Latin America.

International TEFL Academy offers TEFL TESOL Certification in Latin and South America, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru. It helps with job search guidance for teaching abroad and online. They also have an excellent website with fine articles and resources.

Maximo Nivel. (Note: Maximo and LanguageCorps recently merged.) Programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru, and TEFL certification for online training. Maximo Nivel provides TEFL training, job placement, and support. The organization, which emphasizes diversity and inclusion, features a mix of international and local students, volunteers, interns, and TEFL trainees.

Wall Street Institute (Latin America) is a large chain language training organization, with many franchise schools located all over Latin America, and worldwide.

Argentina

International TEFL and TESOL Training provides training and job placement in Buenos Aires.

International TEFL Academy offers TEFL TESOL Certification in Argentina and helps with job search guidance for teaching abroad and online. They also have an excellent website with fine articles and resources.

Brazil

Britannia Schools, Central Department. Employs native speaker teachers with TEFL certification for schools in Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre. Despite name, North American teachers are hired. CELTA Certificate course offered.

International TEFL Academy offers TEFL TESOL Certification in Brazil and helps with job search guidance for teaching abroad and online.

Chile
Typically, these schools may offer a newcomer up to a few hours of teaching work, gradually working up to a full timetable after a probationary three months. American job-seekers, especially those with a TEFL background, should approach one of the Institutos Chileno Norteamericano, including the one in Santiago listed here.

Berlitz Language Centers. The corporation has in-person (though finding information for in-person classes is hard on the website, which only offers a contact form) and online training courses available.

EF English First. Several EFL branches in Chile.

International TEFL Academy offers TEFL TESOL Certification in Chile and helps with job search guidance for teaching abroad and online.

Colombia

Colombia is even more strongly oriented towards the U.S. than elsewhere in South America, with an extensive network of Colombian-American Cultural Centers around the country, including the following which teach English:

EF Education First. Part of the EF chain.

International TEFL Academy offers TEFL TESOL Certification in Colombia and helps with job search guidance for teaching abroad and online.

Costa Rica

International TEFL and TESOL Training provides training and job placement in Manuel Antonia, Costa Rica.

International TEFL Academy offers TEFL TESOL Certification in Costa Rica and helps with job search guidance for teaching abroad and online.

Maximo Nivel. (Note: Maximo Nivel and LanguageCorps recently merged.) Programs in Costa Rica and TEFL certification for online training. Maximo Nivel provides TEFL training, job placement, and support. The organization, which emphasizes diversity and inclusion, features a mix of international and local students, volunteers, interns, and TEFL trainees.

Pro-Language offers corporate language training.
Ecuador

The market for English, particularly American English, continues to thrive despite economic difficulties in the country. There are dozens of language academies and institutes in Quito, the second city of Guayaquil, and the picturesque town and cultural center of Cuenca in the southern Sierra.

CEDEI Foundation — English Program. Needs university-educated native speakers to teach. Recruitment information is available online. CEDEI offers TEFL training courses. Teachers are also offered free Spanish classes and free dance classes.

EF English School Quito (English First). CELTA-qualified teachers required. Accommodations arranged.

Inlingua. Seeks native speakers.

International TEFL Academy offers TEFL TESOL Certification in Ecuador and helps with job search guidance for teaching abroad and online.

Guatemala

Maximo Nivel. (Note: Maximo and LanguageCorps recently merged.) Programs Guatemala and TEFL certification for online training. Maximo Nivel provides TEFL training, job placement, and support. The organization, which emphasizes diversity and inclusion, features a mix of international and local students, volunteers, interns, and TEFL trainees.

Mexico

International TEFL and TESOL Training provides training and job placement in Chiapas.

International Teacher Training Organization offers internationally accredited TEFL Certification in Guadalajara.

International TEFL Academy offers TEFL TESOL Certification in Mexico and helps with job search guidance for teaching abroad and online.

Peru

International TEFL and TESOL Training provides training and job placement in Cusco, Peru.

ITTO TEFL courses in Cusco, Peru offers training and job placement.

International TEFL Academy offers TEFL TESOL Certification in Peru, and help with job search guidance for teaching abroad and online.

Maximo Nivel. (Note: Maximo and LanguageCorps recently merged.) Program in Peru, and TEFL certification for online training. Maximo Nivel provides TEFL training, job placement, and support. The organization, which emphasizes diversity and inclusion, features a mix of international and local students, volunteers, interns, and TEFL trainees.

SUSAN GRIFFITH is co-editor of Work Abroad and author of the book Teaching English Abroad. See Susan's bio for more information about her extensive bibliography or to purchase the most recent edition of her book.

English Teaching Jobs in Latin America
Latin America English Teaching Employers
Featured Articles on Teaching English in Latin America
What You Need to Know to Teach English in South America
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Teaching English and Living in Mexico as a Mex-Pat
How to Get a Teaching Job Your First Week in Mexico City
Teaching English in Mexico City
Teach ESL and Live in Mexico as a Freelancer
Teaching English in Costa Rica
Teaching English and Living in Costa Rica
Teaching English in Ecuador: Adventure Awaits at Latitude Zero
Work Teaching English in Ecuador
Teaching English in Santiago, Chile: Inside Tips for Finding a Job
TEFL Jobs in Chile: The Need for Teachers is Urgent
Teaching English in Chile: Living and Working in Santiago
Teaching English in Panama
Teaching English in Buenos Aires
 


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