FAQ for Latin America

Advertise on TEFL Tips
Prices start at $20 USD per year.

Index
● Looking for jobs? Go to The LA Job List
● Want information about teaching in Peru? Go to A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru

FAQ for Latin America
Updated 6 May 2009

I'm trying to compile a FAQ for countries in Latin America. So far I have information on Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru. If you would like to add to the FAQ, please email me at naturegirl321@yahoo.com .

You can find also find general information about Latin America in Teaching in Latin America. You can find lists of schools in 19 countries around Latin America at The LA Job List. If you're a licensed teacher, consider teaching at an international school.

Always ask for a written reference when you leave a job, no matter if it's paid or a volunteer position. Have your employer write when you work, job title, levels worked with, and what your responsibilities were. It should be printed on school letterhead and carry your employer's stamp (if they have one), their signature, their name, job title, school address, phone, and email. Try to get two copies of this.

Argentina
28 February 2009
Lola723 from Dave's ESL Cafe

Money
● How much is the average pay per hour for private classes in the capital? In the provinces? I've only worked in the capital, if by private classes you mean tutoring, I've read between $25-45 pesos an a hour (though I haven't tried my hand at it yet).
● How much is the average pay per hour for institutes in the capital? In the provinces? (I wouldn't accept anything less than $20 pesos an hour, they pay up to $30 I believe)
What are some things that you should bring with you because they’re expensive or hard to find? This is a very cosmopolitan and modern city, I don't think there's much you can't get here.
● How much is an unfurnished, one bedroom apartment in the capital? In the provinces? My furnished studio (great location and neighborhood) was $950 pesos a month. However, in most cases, you need a "guarantor" (like a cosigner who lives within the province of BsAs) to sponser you, and without that, it's difficult to rent a place if you don't live in a pension or pay with American dollars.
● About how much money do you need a month? If you are very, VERY frugal, you can get by on a little over $2,000 pesos a month (but that's cutting it VERY close)

Visas
● How much time is given for tourist visas? 90 days
● Are they extendable? For how long? How many times can you get an extension? Though I haven't renewed my visa yet, one can extend their tourist visa, and from what I've heard, some people just do in indefinitely.
● Is it possible to find work on a tourist visa? Yes, that is how most work is found here.
● What documents do you need in order to get a working visa? From what I read, apart from a work contract, a birth certificate and criminal background check from the last 5 yrs.
● What other visas can be used to work legally? How do you get them? I really don't know
● Do most institutes help with visas? No

Jobs
● What are some of the best websites to find teaching jobs? zonajobs.com.ar is what I use
● What are some of the popular cities to teach English in? Capital Federal, Cordoba
● Is a TEFL cert necessary? Yes
● Is a bachelor’s degree necessary? Yes
● Is it necessary to be a native speaker? Yes
● Are split shifts common? No, just random, sporadic hours
● Is it easy to arrange a job beforehand? No, and quite frankly, I would have my doubts about a place that would hire a person sight-unseen.

Bolivia
gambasbo@hotmail.com
On Facebook I'm gambasbo@yahoo.co.uk Facebook is better as I check it continually
Time you’ve spent in country: nearly 10 years
Feb 19 2009
Mike

Money
● About how much money do you need a month? A single person could probably live quite well in Cochabamba for about 300 to 350 dollars a month.

Jobs
● What are some of the popular cities to teach English in? Probably Santa Cruz, La Paz and Cochabamba
● Is a TEFL cert necessary? No
● Is a bachelor’s degree necessary? No
● Is it necessary to be a native speaker? No
● Is it easy to arrange a job beforehand? I don’t think so. I think most people wait until they come.

Misc.
● Other information: Sorry not too much information but I’m different to many teachers. I get a pension from the UK so was able to get a permanent visa because I had guaranteed income. I teach for free because I like to help students and I bought an apartment here, so do not know about rental costs. I bought a very nice 2 bedroom apartment here a few years ago for 43000 US dollars. I prepare for IELTS but not TOEFL I mainly teach at advanced level.

Brazil
jarchambault24@videotron.ca
I've lived in Brazil for a total of 2 years between 1988-2006.
21 April 2009
Claude

Money
● How much is the average pay per hour for private classes? You then can ask between 30 and 50 reais a hour, but you need to speak Portuguese well to make it easier to teach.
● How much is the average pay per hour for institutes? Finding work teaching is quite easy and you can expect to make between 15 and 25 reais a hour or so. Is that enough to make a living? I doubt it as it might take a while to get regular hours.
● About how much money do you need a month? The cost of living is quite high in big cities (Rio and Sao Paolo) and as a single non-partyer person I needed at least 1,000 US dollars per month to live well the last time I was there, meaning having a nice flat in a safe neighborhood and eating out from time to time. Bring some savings. The best thing to do is to teach privates.

Visas
● How much time is given for tourist visas? As a foreigner you can only stay 180 days out of every year, then you have to leave, and wait another 180 days in order to come back. The way to solve that problem, besides getting married with a Brazilian, is to enroll in Portuguese classes and get a student visa in Montevideo or Buenos Aires with a sponsoring letter, a police check and proof of funds; that way you can extend your stay by a year or two.
● Are they extendable? No.
● Can you border hop and be given more time when you re-enter the country? No
● Is it possible to find work on a tourist visa? It's officially illegal to work on a tourist visa but I have never heard of anyone getting arrested or deported doing that, Brazilian authorities seem not to care too much, a bit like in Argentina, you just need to keep a low-profile and be discreet.
● What other visas can be used to work legally? How do you get them? Marriage and student visas. Enroll in Portuguese classes and get a student visa in Montevideo or Buenos Aires with a sponsoring letter, a police check and proof of funds; that way you can extend your stay by a year or two.

Misc.
● Other information: I would avoid Sao Paolo which is a monstrous unsafe city and try Rio, because it's so beautiful, although there is more competition and it's a bit expensive to rent a place, although some parts are much cheaper than the best areas like Leblon and Ipanema, where I used to live (Botafogo, Larenjeiras, Flamengo, Santa Teresa are nice too and not expensive, etc.). Avoid at all cost to live in Copacabana, it's dangerous and touristy. I don't know the South of Brazil but I have heard only good things about Florianopolis, safe, clean, great beaches and some work. The North-East is very nice but there is almost no work there. Bahia might also be an option (Salvador) much cheaper too and there is work teaching.

Brazil is a wonderful country and its people, the friendliest on earth. If you want to be happy and successful, learn the language as fast as possible. The economy is doing well and Brazilian will help you as foreigners are really welcomed.

Colombia
pinback at Dave's ESL Cafe
20 February 2009

Money
● How much is the average pay per hour for institutes in the capital? In the provinces? In Bogota I've seen offers of from 10k to 25k per hour

Visas
● How much time is given for tourist visas? Typically 30 or 60 days, but possibly 90 days. It's at the discretion of the immigration officer at the airport. You can ask for 90 days, but you probably won't get it.
● Are they extendable? For how long? How many times can you get an extension? You can get an extension at a DAS office in major cities. Not sure what the situation is in smaller cities/towns. In Bogota, the DAS office is on Calle 100 # 11B-27 (Edificio Platinum) I believe your extension will be for as long as the original visa. You can stay in country for up to 180 days per calendar year.
● Is it possible to find work on a tourist visa? I know teachers who've done it, but you'll probably be working for cash, without a contract and without any benefits.
● What documents do you need in order to get a working visa? I think you can check the website for the Colombian embassy for a list, but you will definitely need a contract from your employer. They will also need to give you 2 other documents. One is a document proving they are a legit business. The second is a document called a Certificado de Proporcionalidad and they need this to hire a foreigner. This can take 10 days to a few weeks to get back from the appropriate ministry once your employer files the paperwork and I'm pretty sure they need a contract to do it. You may also need to have copies of your university degree and copies of a police report from your home country or state. These documents should be apostilled if possible and translated to Spanish.
Note: if you enter the country on a tourist visa and want to change to a work visa you will have to leave the country to do so. Many go to Venezuela (there's a consulate in San Antonio, just across the border from Cucuta) Ecuador, or Panama. Once you have the work visa, you can get it renewed every time you renew your contract and don't have to leave the country. The initial and renewal cost is the same U$ 205.00

Jobs
● Is a bachelor’s degree necessary? Supposedly, according to the embassy website you need a degree in order to get a work visa, but a CELTA or TEFL cert might pass unless the officer at the consulate is being picky.
● Is it necessary to be a native speaker? In most cases, yes, unless you've lived a while in an English speaking country.
● Are split shifts common? In institutes, yes.
●What are the requirements to work in a bilingual (not international) school? I think it varies widely. One of my former employers hired teachers with little or no experience or training. Other schools I've investigated have much higher standards. If you have IB experience, it might help, or if you can teach subjects other than English.
● Other information: Some of the better paying jobs are at Universities.

Eucador
28 February 2009
john_n_carolina

Although Ecuador is cracking down on visas (only 90 tourist visas, non renewable, and have to leave for 90 days before returning), there are ways to get visas.
However, you can work on a cultural exchange visa, or a volunteer visa. You just have to get a RUC number which is a tax number, then you can get facturas which you use to bill your employer. It is fairly simple to get the RUC once you arrive on a visa other than a tourist visa.

OR

You can apply for a Actos de Comercio 12 IX online. This allows you to work in Ecuador for six months, get your tax number, etc. Then you find an employer who will sponsor you for the regular work visa, which is a two year renewable. There are plenty of reputable employers who will sponsor you if you are qualified. Contact ESPOL university, Southern Cross School and British language institute.

Money
● How much is the average pay per hour for private classes in the capital? I had offers from $10-$20/hr. but, it all depends on what your teaching. GMAT, TOEFL, or just conversation.
● In the provinces?
Guayaquil, a little less. $8-$15/hr. but again, sometimes you stumble upon one of those wealthy oil execs and they're making US salaries of $60-100,000k.
● How much is the average pay per hour for institutes in the capital? $5
● In the provinces? $4
● What are some things that you should bring with you because they’re expensive or hard to find? Asics running shoes. An Infocus machine to project your laptop onto the classroom wall.
● How much is an unfurnished, one bedroom apartment in the capital? $200
● In the provinces? $150 (Furnished is around $200-400)
● About how much money do you need a month? $400
● Other information: Avoid Quito if you have asthma.

Visas (Important visa changes have been made. Read about them in this post.)
● How much time is given for tourist visas? 90 days
● Are they extendable? Not anymore. Might get lucky though.
● Is it possible to find work on a tourist visa? Yes, 10 students and you'll get by. but I wouldn't suggest it.
● Do most institutes help with visas? No.

● The following has been added by a teacher in Loja. 11 March 2009

Loja is a great city. There are virtually no tourists or expats here, although there are plenty in nearby Vilcabamba, a haven for rich expats and pack backers and druggies. In Loja I think someone would find it hard to survive without Spanish. Most of the restaurants don't even have menus, and they assume the clients will know what they have. There are many buses throughout the city for 25 cents, and taxis are $1, although I have had my share of wrangles about the fare.

The city is very ecologically conscious with many parks and open spaces. Lojanos are very proud of their home and describe it as "tranquila." The population is 100,000 or so, although I hear different numbers. Two lovely rivers run parallel across "the heart of the city." There are only two supermarkets that I know of, one with a KFC and the other in a complex with a cinema. There are several wonderful local markets that are open every day, and three markets which are open once a week.

As far as I can tell, there are three English language schools: George Washington, Canadian House, and Fine Tuned English, from worst to best in that order from what I've heard. The first two pay $4 an hour and the last $5. Most of the locals I have spoken with go to Fine Tuned.

Mexico
guycourchesne@innovative-english.com
I've lived and worked in Mexico for over 8 years, as an English teacher focused primarily on business English and as a TEFL course instructor.
25 February 2009
Guy Courchesne

Money
● As of Feb. 25th, 2009, 1 US dollar = 14.75 pesos
● How much is the average pay per hour for private classes in the capital? In the provinces? Private classes in the capital, Mexico City, pay anywhere between 100 and 250 pesos per hour. Private classes in other large cities pay about the same as Mexico City. Smaller cities between 100 and 150 pesos, per hour, and in rural areas, likely no more than 100 per hour. Private classes are unlikely in beach resort areas. Language institutes in Mexico City do not pay well. 40-75 pesos per hour, often on part-time work only. There are some institutes that pay salaries, between 4000 and 10,000 pesos per month. Language institutes in smaller cities pay between 3000 and 7000 pesos per month.
● What are some things that you should bring with you because they’re expensive or hard to find? Some toiletries are more expensive as imports, especially shaving cream, perfume, and feminine hygiene products. Electronics can also be expensive, such as laptops and cameras.
● How much is an unfurnished, one bedroom apartment in the capital? In the provinces?
An unfurnished, one-bedroom apartment in Mexico City can go between 2000 and 10,000 pesos per month. Location in town is the biggest factor. I find it more common that visiting foreign teachers seek a furnished room or a furnished apartment, within about the same range as an unfurnished one. An unfurnished, one-bedroom apartment in other areas of Mexico can go between 2000 and 6,000 pesos per month. Beach resort areas for 4,000 to 25,000 pesos per month.
● About how much money do you need a month? The bare minimum to cover monthly costs in most places is 6,000 or 7,000 pesos per month. More in beach resort areas.

Visas
● How much time is given for tourist visas? A tourist visa - given to you on the border or at the airport on arrival (for most nationalities) is automatically the maximum 180 days.
● Are they extendable? For how long? How many times can you get an extension? No extensions beyond 180 are possible.
● Can you border hop and be given more time when you re-enter the country? How much time are you given? How much time do you have to spend out of the country before you can re-enter? One needs to leave the country and return for a new visa. There is no minimum time limit for being out of Mexico to get a new visa in this way.
● Is it possible to find work on a tourist visa? It is illegal to work on a tourist visa. That said, it is quite common to find people working on a tourist visa. Some regions of Mexico are notorious for having strict immigration agents who will visit language schools to check on visas. Mexico City seems the most lax in this respect.
● What documents do you need in order to get a working visa? To get a working visa (FM3) it is most common to be sponsored by your employer. You will most often need an apostilled 4 year degree (usually in any field, though preferrably in English, Linguistics, Education, etc), your passport, and some documentation provided by the employer. It is common to substitute the degree with a TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA diploma from within Mexico, or to use both. There is a minimum cost of 2700 pesos to process the FM3, though many employers cover this cost. The FM3 can be tailored to specific fields, such as business or the arts, though these are not commonly sought by ELTs.
● What other visas can be used to work legally? How do you get them? Marriage and family support visas are also possible.

Jobs
● What are some of the best websites to find teaching jobs? Jobs in Mexico are not frequently advertised online. The top private primary, secondary, and post-secondary schools will use recruitment fairs abroad and in Mexico, and often advertise positions on their own websites.
● What are some of the popular cities to teach English in? The most popular destinations for foreign ELTs are Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Leon, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes, Oaxaca, Puebla, Pachuca, Toluca, Torreon, and San Miguel de Allende. There are dozens more of smaller towns as well.
● Is a TEFL cert necessary? A TEFL or CELTA is the most commonly sought credential, though for the best jobs, a related degree and experience are required.
● Is it necessary to be a native speaker? It is not necessary to be a native-speaker, though preference is most often given to them.
● Are split shifts common? Split shifts are common at language institutes and working in business EFL.
● Is it easy to arrange a job beforehand? It is not easy to arrange a job beforehand. Most hiring is done face-to-face, or via a recruitment fair as I mentioned above.

Peru
naturegirl321@yahoo.com
Time you've spent in country: 5 years
20 February 2009
Sharon

Money
● How much is the average pay per hour for private classes in the capital? In the provinces? 10-20 usd an hour in Lima. 5-10USD an hour in the provinces. More info can be found in the Ultimate Peru List.
● How much is the average pay per hour for institutes in the capital? In the provinces? About 6-10 usd in Lima, about 3-5 usd in the provinces. More info can be found in the Ultimate Peru List.
● What are some things that you should bring with you because they’re expensive or hard to find? Contact solution, sunblock, tampons, perscription medicine, large or tall shoes or clothing. See Things to Bring for more info.
● How much is an unfurnished, one bedroom apartment in the capital? In the provinces? In the richer districts in Lima, expect at least 250 usd a month and up. That would be in places like Miraflores. In the provinces, about 100 usd. See Housing for more info.
● About how much money do you need a month? About 500 usd. See Lima on $500 a month.
● Other information: Don't carry valuables with you, like ID, credit cards, money, photos. See Safety for more info.

Visas
● How much time is given for tourist visas? up to 183 days. Most get 180 if you ask, if not, 30-90. See Tourist Visas.
● Are they extendable? For how long? How many times can you get an extension? No, you have to leave the country OR pay a dollar a day for each day that you overstay. See Tourist Visas.
● Can you border hop and be given more time when you re-enter the country? How much time are you given? How much time do you have to spend out of the country before you can re-enter? Yes, in theory you can leave and come right back. Sometimes they tell you to stay a day or two, you can get up to 183 days when you come back. See Tourist Visas.
● Is it possible to find work on a tourist visa? Yes. See Lists of Schools and The Little Black Book of Institutes.
● What documents do you need in order to get a working visa? Legalised copy and translation of your BA. See Legalisations and Work Permits.
● What other visas can be used to work legally? How do you get them? Marriage visa is the most common. See Marriage Visas.
● Do most institutes help with visas? No, though Britanico does recruit through babelfishrecruiting. They also advertise on Dave's ESL Cafe. Britanico is the only place I know that will get you a visa that's an institute.
● Other information: Schools will get visas.

Jobs
● What are some of the best websites to find teaching jobs? Expat Peru, Living in Peru, The Peru Job Bulletin, The Ultimate Peru List.
● What are some of the popular cities to teach English in? Lima, Trujillo, Piura, Chiclayo, Arequipa, Cusco. See Popular Peruvian Cities to Live In.
● Is a TEFL cert necessary? No, but it helps in the classroom. See Is a TEFL Cert Necessary?
● Is a bachelor’s degree necessary? No, not for insitutes, but yes for schools and unis. See Is a Degree Necessary?
● Is it necessary to be a native speaker? No, near native is ok.
● Are split shifts common? Yes, at institutes.
● What are some good institutes to work at in the capital? In the provinces? In Lima: English Life, Business Links, Morton Taylor, Fulbright, PARI, Camelot, World Comm. In the provinces, Excel in Cusco. For contact info see The Little Black Book of Institutes and Top Institutes in Lima.
● What are some good bilingual schools to work at in the capital? In the provinces? In Lima, FDR, San Silvestre, Colegio Peruano Britanico, Markham, Cambridge, Leonardo DaVinci, Hiram Bingham, Newton. In the provinces, Prescott, Fleming, and Davy. See Lists of Schools
● What are the requirements to work in a bilingual (not international) school? BA, native or near native speaker, teaching experience.
● Is it easy to arrange a job beforehand? For institutes, it's almost impossible. For schools, it's easier if you have qualifications and experience.
● Other information: Unis in Lima won't get you a visa. The only institute that will is Asociacion Cultural Peruanco Britanico. Try to blend in when you get here. Look at Respectful Travel for more information.

Misc.
● Other information: Be persistent, people don't return emails. Go to the institutes and schools once you arrive. At the end of January and February, schools always have last minute openings. You can find lists of schools and more FAQ in FAQ Peru. Places with "College" or "Colegio" in their name usually require teachers to have a teaching license and 2 years experience.







Prevent Piracy
A lot of time and effort has gone into writing TEFL Tips. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission.

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.