7 Tips on Finding a Teaching Job in Latin America

Teachers in Latin America enjoy great landscapes and amazing culture. Latin America is full of teaching opportunities. It can be a fun, challenging experience for teachers in search of their dream career.

With its recent economic and tourism advancements, Latin America has become a popular hub for teachers abroad. The cost of living in Latin America is fairly reasonable compared to the US and other parts of Europe.

If you’re considering Latin America as your teaching abroad destination, follow this checklist:

1. Check government programs
You can check government-sponsored programs in Latin America such as TEC program (Colombia) or English Opens Doors (Chile)

2. Consider private tuition
You may have to get a part-time job to earn extra money. Most schools in Latin America don’t provide teachers with a salary that can cover their cost of living. Check for opportunities online.

3. Check online job boards
This is important as online job boards are where you’ll find most jobs advertised.

4. Look for in-country jobs
When you’re there, you can check all the schools and language institutes around the area. Try looking for hotels or apartments where the ads are.

5. Get certified
You need to get yourself certified first. Most likely, you will need a TESOL, TEFL or CELTA certificate to be able to teach in Latin America.

6. Keep updated with Hiring seasons
For example, in Costa Rica, they hire teachers on January. In Peru, you can check for jobs on January or February or September. It’s important to be up-to-date with the hiring seasons and trends.

7. Know your visa type
There are different visa rules and regulations in Latin America. You need to research and see which the right visa is for you, which also depends on your nationality.

Top Latin American Countries for English Teachers Abroad

There are plenty of job opportunities for English teachers in Latin America. Teachers do not require a university degree, they just need to be fluent English speakers. Teachers who work in this region can also take advantage of the opportunity to learn the Spanish language.

Here are the top Spanish-Speaking countries to teach English abroad:

• Argentina
• Peru
• Costa Rica
• Mexico
• Chile
• Colombia

Quick Facts About Latin America

• Brazil has the 10th highest number of people who own vehicles in the world.
• One of the most urbanized regions in the world is Latin America, where approximately 80% of the people live in cities.
• Brazil is the top exporter for coffee, sugar, and orange juice in the world.
• Costa Rica has 800 miles of coastline between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, from where it derives the meaning of its name: “Rich Coast”
• Venezuela won the most beauty titles compared to any other country in the world.
• People from Bolivia would rather eat from local vendors than large chains. They have abolished McDonald’s.