Teachers Latin America knows that most program participants are looking for a TEFL teaching position in a Latin American country. We make it a priority to be connected to Latin American EFL employers in Mexico, Costa Rica, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and over a dozen other countries in the region. You can also connect to teaching jobs in Korea, China, Thailand, Japan, Spain, Africa, Italy...the world. When jobs open up, we hear about them first.

Important note - if you are not qualified to teach, meaning you haven't taken the TEFL or equivalent certificate course (TESOL, TEFL, CELTA, etc), you will not be elgible for a teaching position. For more information, contact us by email or download our Programs Guide.

TEFL Jobs in Latin America

Job Placement Assistance is a benefit all Teachers Latin America program participants enjoy. Teaching positions are as varied as the countries to which we can send you.

Seeking a TEFL position in Latin America is just like job-hunting back home. While Teachers Latin America makes it easier for you by arranging all the particulars, there are some things to be aware of.

Your TEFL or TEFL Online training (or other programs training) will have prepared you for the job. However, there are many things left to learn. In every instance - be it a multinational company in Buenos Aires, a small tutoring center in Santiago de Chile, or a language school in Mexico City - an employer will need some time to show you the ropes. Expect to participate in administrative training, demonstration classes, local orientation, and meet-and-greets with the students. Your employer takes for granted that you know how to teach, so allow them time to show you their system.

TEFL and TEFL Online graduates enjoy long term access to our job placement system. Once enrolled in a TEFL or TEFL Online course, we work on finding you that job you want, in the country you want, at the pay you want.

Our Latin America network stretches from Mexico to Argentina, and offers access to positions at all points between. Through our parent, Teachers International, we can also connect you to positions around the globe, including Asia, Europe, and Africa.

More information on TEFL jobs in Latin America can be found in the Program Information Kits available for download in the More Information Menu on your left.

Teachers Latin America can offer Job Placement Assistance for all Latin American countries. However, your Advisor will make recommendations on city and country based on your goals, objectives, and means. It is important to be flexible when selecting a country or city in which to seek employment.

Not all Latin American countries are equal. The most popular locations, and those that have the most opportunities for placement are:

Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil

These are the biggest countries and therefore have the most opportunities. Of course, positions may also be found in smaller countries. Ask your Advisor to be sure.

Timing is Key...

Positions are always subject to availability. Very generally speaking, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Central America are hiring year round. South American countries (such as Argentina, Brazil, and Chile) see a wave of job openings in late-February, coinciding with the start of the autumn academic year (remember: Southern Hemisphere is opposite the Northern Hemisphere).

Each country has differing holidays. If planning to arrive shortly before or during a holiday period, you may need to wait a short period before starting your position. This is the case for Christmas, Easter, and certain holiday weekends.

The Pay and Cost-of-Living

Very generally speaking, the cost-of-living is much less than that of countries such as the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. While some things are more expensive (such as cameras, computers, and imported clothing labels), the essentials are far cheaper (accommodations, transportation, food).

If you think that teaching abroad is a way to get rich, you are mistaken.

There are some urban myths floating about that speak of $100,000 USD salaries in TEFL. This is simply not true. There are a great number of positions available, and of every stripe, from language schools, to kindergarten, to high school, to university teaching.

Be realistic is our advice. All of Latin America is a developing region. There is great inequality here among inhabitants. Some positions pay local rates which are not very good. Some positions pay very good rates, putting you in the top earning category in the region. Most positions fall somewhere in between. Your Advisor will make sure that your goals are met for budgets in every case.

Pay rates in Latin American countries are almost always in local currency, though some positions pay in dollars, Pounds, or Euros. Some positions are salaried with benefits. Some positions are paid in cash. Most positions are hourly, and several schools offer travel stipends, housing allowances, and/or paid holidays, among other benefits.

To make a budget, you can assume that you will earn no less than $250 USD per month and no more than $3000 USD. That is quite a range, so it is better to ask your Advisor on details specific to your country.

This is very often the first question your Advisor (and an employer) will ask. As in any job, your employer likely wants you to stay as long as possible. The realities of the Teach and Travel world mean most employers know you aren't there forever. By that, we suggest that you consider 6 month to 1 year as a realistic target. There is no problem if you want to stay longer or are considering a permanent relocation. Less than 6 months stay is possible, but your employment options may be limited. Less than 2 months is extremely unlikely. Consider an Internship for very short-term stays.

Internships in Latin America

An Internship is an unpaid, short-term position designed to get you experience. Some Internships develop into paid positions. Usually, an Internship is recommended when you study through an Online TEFL program and haven't any practical teaching experience. Internships include many activities, including:

• In class work assisting a regular TEFL teacher
• Lesson preparation
• Administrative and front office work
• Travel
• Student group development
• Regular TEFL class teaching

Most Internships provide a stipend. If you have selected a longer term internship (more than 6 weeks), your Advisor will try to negotiate a better stipend on your behalf. It is best to plan your budget on not having any income during this period, since the stipend usually only covers accommodations costs during the period.

Stay Informed

Your Advisor has several years' experience working in Latin America. Teachers Latin America is more than happy to answer any questions you have about our programs, teaching positions, and destinations. We are proud of our commitment to providing up-to-date information and quick answers to questions from participants, so you should demand a high level of service from us.

We advise that all participants learn as much as they can about their intended destination. Getting to know the geography, the history, the culture, and the language of a people can make the experience that much more rewarding. Excellent information can be found online by researching your destination and handy guides such as Let's Go and Lonely Planet provide up-to-date details on costs, maps, transportation, must-see sites, and culture and are available at most bookstores near you.

Your Advisor is an email or phone call away. Contact Us today.

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