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Latin
America
The continent of South America, together with Central America, offers
a wide range and variety of teaching opportunities. The cultural diversity
and Latin charm combine to make this region an attractive destination
for EFL teachers. On the whole salaries are low but this is compensated
for by the low cost of living.
Most schools in the region cannot afford to advertise vacancies internationally,
so most hiring is done 'on the spot'.
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Argentina
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Capital city
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Buenos Aires
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Language
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Spanish
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Currency and exchange rate
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Peso (1 US$ = 2.95 Peso) |
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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US$15 per hour
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Major TEFL locations
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Buenos Aires
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TEFL job prospects
Argentina has always had a substantial English speaking population
and as a result EFL jobs were never easy to come by. Recent economic
and political problems can only serve to decrease demand for native
speakers. Some opportunities may still exist teaching business English
on a freelance basis but there are many more promising destinations
for the EFL teacher than Argentina.
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Bolivia
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Capital city
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La Paz
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Language
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Spanish
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Currency and exchange rate
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Franc (46 franc = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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US$4 per hour
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Major TEFL locations
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La Paz
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TEFL job prospects
As with most countries in the region, jobs are quite easy to find
but salaries are very low. Most jobs seem to be in La Paz but there
are certainly opportunities elsewhere in the country for those prepared
to accept a local wage. The cost of living is low which means that
despite the low salaries teachers can enjoy a reasonable standard
of living.
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Brazil
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Capital city
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Brasilia
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Language
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Portuguese
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Currency and exchange rate
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Real (1.58 real = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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US$900 per month
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Major TEFL locations
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Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro +++++
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TEFL job prospects
Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and there are
good job prospects in all of the larger cities (as well as some
smaller ones). Qualified teachers in Brazil can usually find work
easily. Trying to arrange employment from outside Brazil can be
considerably more 'hit or miss'. Salaries usually afford teachers
a comfortable lifestyle.
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Chile
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Capital city
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Santiago
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Language
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Spanish
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Currency and exchange rate
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Pesos (560 pesos = $US1) per month
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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US$900
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Major TEFL locations
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Santiago, Punta Arenas
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TEFL job prospects
Chile has one of the stronger economies in Latin America and the
growth in demand for the English language has matched the economic
growth. There is a booming market for business English and an increasing
demand for teachers of children. There are many private language
schools, particularly in the capital, and certified EFL teachers
should have little problem in finding suitable employment.
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Colombia
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Capital city
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Bogota
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Language
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Spanish
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Currency and exchange rate
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Peso (2,200 peso = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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US$500 per month
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Major TEFL locations
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Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla
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TEFL job prospects
Despite the increasing demand Colombian language schools find it
difficult to attract native speaker teachers due to Colombia's reputation
for crime and violence. In reality EFL teachers are unlikely to
find themselves victims and for any teacher willing to work for
the low salaries on offer the prospects are good.
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Ecuador
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Capital city
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Quito
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Language
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Spanish
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Currency and exchange rate
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Sucre (25,000 sucre = US$1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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US$400 per month
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Major TEFL locations
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Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca
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TEFL job prospects
Ecuador is one of the most attractive and most stable countries
in the region. Salaries are low but so is the cost of living and
teachers can afford a reasonably comfortable lifestyle. Jobs are
plentiful in the major cities and there is a particular demand for
American English. Voluntary work is also possible.
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Mexico
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Capital city
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Mexico City
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Language
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Mexican Spanish
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Currency and exchange rate
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Peso (9.5 peso = US$1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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8,000 Pesos per month
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Major TEFL locations
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All large cities
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TEFL job prospects
Due to its close proximity to the USA there is a huge demand for
the English language in Mexico. The demand for native speaker teachers
is enormous almost everywhere and any qualified EFL teachers should
be able to find work in the location of their choice. There is also
significant demand for business English in the major cities.
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Peru
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Capital city
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Lima
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Language
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Spanish
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Currency and exchange rate
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New Sol (5NS = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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US$5 per hour
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Major TEFL locations
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Lima
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TEFL job prospects
There is an enormous demand for English and native speaker teachers.
However, the low salaries, difficulty in obtaining working papers
and bad reputation of the country in safety terms generally mean
that it is often ignored by English teachers. Yet the range of opportunities
in Lima is enormous for those willing to overlook the downside.
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Venezuela
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Capital city
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Caracas
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Language
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Spanish
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Currency and exchange rate
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Bolivar
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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-
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Major TEFL locations
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Caracas, Merida, Puero La Cruz
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TEFL job prospects
The current political and economic situation is rather turbulent
and as a result Venezuela (once an appealing TEFL location) is perhaps
best avoided. Hopefully this situation will change in the near future.
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Others
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Capital city
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Various
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Language
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Spanish and others
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Currency and exchange rate
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-
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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-
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Major TEFL locations
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Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras etc
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TEFL job prospects
If you happened to be in the area, it would probably be fairly
simple to arrange work in Central America. However, with the exception
of Costa Rica salaries are likely to be impossibly low. Very few
positions are ever advertised and you would probably need the refer
to the yellow pages and present yourself to language schools listed
there. Costa Rica is somewhat more promising and there is a reasonably
high demand for native speaker teachers at reasonable salary levels.
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What
is TEFL/TESOL ?
