{"id":31147,"date":"2024-05-24T08:37:17","date_gmt":"2024-05-24T14:37:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/?p=31147"},"modified":"2026-03-13T09:44:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T15:44:52","slug":"teach-english-south-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/teach-english-south-america\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know to Teach English in South America"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

From climbing Andean peaks to learning Spanish to trying exquisite cuisines, there are many reasons South America is a top TEFL destination. Many EFL teachers choose to teach English in South America for its diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, and wealth of opportunities. Teaching English in South America also means you’ll have a huge map of TEFL destinations, as many of these Latin American countries are bustling with opportunities for new and experienced teachers. Here\u2019s what you need to know to teach English in South America, including the types of jobs you can land and how you can get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New to TEFL? Get TEFL certified to teach around the world with the 120-hour Bridge Master Certificate<\/a> or take the first step toward an advanced degree in TESOL with the 150-hour IDELTOnline\u2122<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is it like to teach English in South America?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the wealth of jobs and opportunities for unique experiences, many of the countries in South America are some of the prime spots for teaching English abroad. Among the most popular places to teach English in Latin America are Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Uruguay. Many schools and governments in this region have been continuously pushing for bilingualism in curricula, or for ESL programs, and a lot of professionals in different fields like information technology, hospitality, and trade work for multinational companies. Therefore, the number of English learners is constantly increasing. This creates a growing demand for EFL teachers. Chances are, you won\u2019t have to worry about finding potential students<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teaching English in South America can also provide a lot of variety in your day-to-day life. You can find yourself exploring a bustling city one day and traversing an Amazonian rainforest the next! With its varied sights and sounds, it\u2019s no wonder many English teachers choose to stay in this region for a long time (or stay permanently!). It’s also fairly convenient and inexpensive to travel from one country to another, by land or air, so you can easily plan for many adventures!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to exciting travel experiences, teaching English in South America provides opportunities to interact with and have cultural exchanges with your students. You\u2019ll find your learners are not only driven to improve their English skills, but they\u2019re also enthusiastic and interested in sharing their culture and learning about their teacher’s culture too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vesela, an English teacher from Bulgaria,<\/a> started her English teaching career in Chile as a volunteer. \u201cI had a great volunteering experience,” she said. “I worked alongside a Chilean teacher of English, whom I was helping with classes. The school was so small that I managed to have classes with all the students there, and everyone welcomed me so warmly even though I was a stranger coming from the other side of the world!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johan, an English teacher from Venezuela<\/a>, teaches online Business English lessons in Brazil. Because he teaches online, he has learners from around the world. “I’ve had learners from 26 countries so far,” he said. In his free time, he likes “spending time with my family and my Brazilian friends,” often “hanging out with them in Ciudad del Este<\/em>, or Igua\u00e7u Falls.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get all the information you need to start your adventure with our step-by-step guide to teaching English abroad.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bridge
Bridge alum and Business English teacher Johan visiting Igua\u00e7u Falls in Brazil<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How much do English teachers make in South America?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Teaching English in Latin America, you can expect to earn an average of $700-$1,500 USD per month. Most English teaching jobs are paid hourly, and English teaching rates range between $10-$25 USD. Keep in mind that when teaching English abroad in South America, salary amounts may vary depending on the region, employer, and your qualifications and experience. The average pay may seem lower than other regions like Asia or Europe, but it is enough to break even or cover the basics like housing, food, and transport, and even have some savings for traveling around the country! That’s because the cost of living in most countries in South America is generally low, though it is recommended to have some backup funds for start-up expenses such as visa fees (in Chile, for instance, certain nationalities have to pay higher fees for obtaining the residence visa) and flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nowadays, the following countries offer the highest rates for English teachers:<\/p>\n\n\n