Teach English in Central and South America

Latin America draws thousands of TEFL teachers each year. Learn why it's such a popular destination here

Brimming with centuries of culture and tradition as well as an immeasurable supply of unspoilt natural beauty, the Americas are one of the most fascinating destinations on the globe. Previously one of the less widely explored continents, travellers around the world are beginning to wake up to the wonderful sights and experiences that Central and South America have to offer; and being home to the Amazon rainforest, the Andes, Mount Aconcagua, Ancient Mayan ruins and the breathtakingly beautiful Galapagos Islands it’s no wonder!

With exotic sights, mountains, rain forests, waterfalls and jungles South America offers a variety of scenic landscapes and adventurous travel opportunities. It’s also a hive of cultural diversity; the homeland of the Inca, Mayan and Amazonian civilizations is now an eclectic mixture of the old and the new. From the historically famous Easter Islands in Chile, to the raw passion of the tango in Argentina’s buzzing capital of Buenos Aires and the fantastic celebration of life that is the Rio carnival.

There’s certainly no shortage of things to see and with a growing tourist industry, the demand for English teachers is through the roof! Teaching English amongst some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet is no unhappy task; not only is it a chance to explore some of the most bioldiverse countries in the world, but you get the opportunity to really live and feel the energy of the Latin American lifestyle. The fantastic culture variety means that the calmer pace of places like Ecuador offers a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of fast-paced Brazil.

Culture

The Central and South American continents are comprised of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French, Guiana, Guyana Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela in South America; and Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama in Central America. Given the number of countries in Europe, this may seem like a short list, but it certainly doesn’t mean there’s any less to explore!

The natural diversity of Latin America can range from the serene but chilly mountains of Patagonia to the lively valleys and volcanoes of El Salvador. And there’s an intoxicating mixture of tradition and adventure, so the fearless traveller will find plenty to do in Costa Rica with white-water rafting and trekking through the rain forest canopy, or you could simply try some traditional Fricase in Bolivia while your ears are treated to the harmonies from street musicians' flutes!

Educational standard

After a past troubled by civil war, colonial power struggles and nuclear warfare, Latin America is finally able to improve its citizens' education. The continent's current popularity with tourists, as well as its progressive commercial growth have meant that education and in particular the English language are now sharply in focus.

Though education reforms have meant massive improvements in the standard of education, economic struggle has meant that many countries suffer from a lack of resources, In Brazil, the mandatory minimum of 9 years' education aim to ensuring a basic education. The Costa Rican government aims to have 75% of high school students able to speak English by 2017, while other governments across Latin America are also working hard to maximise the number of people speaking the English language to improve education and career prospects.

Teaching Opportunities

A turbulent past has left much of the Latin America in economic need; improvement and progress are, however, just around the corner for many countries and a large part of that involves English language teaching. Areas such as Chile, Peru, Brazil and Argentina are popular for travel as well as teaching and the opportunities for work are plentiful. Chile’s improving financial climate is good news for those seeking paid teaching work, with the chance to teach either children or adults in basic and business English.

Private teaching is less likely to be an option throughout most of South America. Poorer areas like Peru and Ecuador may offer little pay, but the cost of living is similarly cheap, so your money will go a long way. The added benefit is that these jobs are often even more fulfilling as you'll make a real difference to the lives of the people you teach. The demand for teachers means most countries have a relaxed view on vias entry requirements, so most positions are open to those with a TEFL qualification who want to teach!

Facilities

Accommodation can vary depending on where you teach. If your required to arrange your own, finding somewhere to stay should be easy enough, whether you’d like your own space or you'd rpefer to share! Schools and organisations will have plenty of local knowledge and accommodation may even be included as part of your job. The lower cost of living means it’s not likely to be luxury accommodation, but you will usually have everything you need: somewhere to cook, somewhere to get clean, somewhere to sleep and somewhere to chill out!

In many cases you’ll be offered a homestay or a place in a guesthouse; both are great opportunities for some social interaction with the locals and your fellow teachers. There’s nothing quite like a home-cooked meal and a knowledgeable local family to make you really feel like you’ve experienced something unique and off-the-beaten track!

Transitions Abroad - working in Latin America

i-to-i - South American tours

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