From the mountains of the west coast to the white-sand beaches in the east, Latin America is full of dream locations. And despite having fewer schools to choose from than Asia or Europe, there are still plenty of opportunities for international teachers.
Whether you want the hustle and bustle of Sao Paulo in Brazil or would rather be perched high in the Andes in the Ecuadorian capital of Quito, you’re sure to find a part of the region to fall in love with.
Off the beaten track
Europe and Asia may have been the most attractive locations for international teachers in recent years, but Latin America has a range of international schools teaching the UK and US curricula as well as the International Baccalaureate.
And the number of international schools in Latin America is gradually increasing, with Brazil, Columbia, Venezuela and Costa Rica all proving popular with teachers.
Although basic Spanish will be an advantage when applying for jobs, it’s not a requirement and many schools offer Spanish lessons to new arrivals.
Some international schools use the northern hemisphere timetable, with the school year starting in September, while others have school beginning in February or March. This is worth considering when you start looking at potential vacancies.
Although the salaries aren’t quite as high as in the Middle East or China, and the cost of living in some areas can be surprisingly high, teaching in Latin America can be a lucrative move if you get a good deal and relocate to the right place.
Most international schools will offer accommodation as part of your contract, and some will pay you a settling in allowance and a bonus once you’ve completed your first year.
Experience a day in the life of a teacher in Costa Rica.
Need-to-know numbers*
Education
274 – the number of international schools in Latin America.
13 – the percentage of those schools offering the UK curriculum.
Lifestyle
18 – the average lowest temperature (Celsius) in Rio de Janeiro.
£1 – the average price of a half-litre of local beer in Mexico.
107 – Columbia’s ranking in Numbeo’s cost-of-living index (Switzerland is the most expensive).
What’s it like teaching in Columbia?
Jesskiboiski, from the Tes Community forum, is a teacher in Bogota.
“I currently work in Colombia, in Bogota. Here, when schools say they are international, they may follow an international curriculum (normally the International Baccalaureate) but you will usually be teaching local children.
“My current school follows the IB. There is much more flexibility and freedom in the curriculum here and a far better work-life balance. I take nothing home after school. In such schools, however, students have to complete national exams as well as international ones. The national exams are supposedly quite simple, but some preparation is required.
“In terms of the local salary, if you are employed in the country, it is low. I first came here on a local salary contract and was offered £850 a month with no extra benefits, and you have to pay for your own visa upfront. This is in Bogota where wages tend to be higher.
“The school I worked at made it clear that they were giving me a good rate, too, I've heard of much lower salaries. While it is, of course, possible to live off this amount, you will be limited with your accommodation, food and travel options.
“It’s much better to get an ‘international’ contract from home as you are offered accommodation allowances, flight allowances and many more bonuses. I’m now on one of these (I got very lucky) and life is much better.
“Accommodation is very difficult to find if you are just doing it alone; most landlords require a Colombian national to effectively co-sign. My school sorted all this for me.”
See more on this Columbia forum thread here.
Ready to make your next move? Find the latest teaching jobs in Latin America and overseas.
*Figures from Relocate Magazine, Holiday Weather and Numbeo.