You may find TEFL certification classes all across South America. Future English instructors learn the foundations of English grammar from Colombia to Argentina. Moreover, they understand teaching practice while immersing themselves in the native customs.

They begin their employment hunt by learning the language and building relationships. Because most recruiting in South America happens in person, getting local TEFL South America certification will give you a significant edge.

How To Find TEFL jobs in South America 

tefl jobs

American firms or local institutions in large cities handle the majority of TEFL programs in South America. Santiago, Argentina, Mexico City, and Rio de Janeiro are among these cities. Some courses are available in smaller towns, including Cartagena, Colombia, and Lima, Peru.

South America is an excellent place to get your TEFL certification. It’s also a great spot to start your international professional career. This is owing to its inexpensive living costs, as well as its welcoming and inclusive lifestyle. The various landscapes and people are also wonderful.

South American TEFL is as fascinating as the region itself. Whether you work in a tiny remote county or a big school in a metropolis, every day will offer something new. Teaching in South America appeals to many EFL teachers. This is due to the relaxed attitude toward credentials such as TEFL certifications and degrees.

Compared to Europe and Asia, the other major TEFL areas, getting a job here is easier. Moreover, it is independent of prior experiences or skills. As schools grow more developed, though, requirements are improving. Business English is also gaining traction due to its closeness to and links with the United States.

Here are the topmost tips for finding TEFL South America jobs.

Understand The Hiring Seasons and Practices

TEFL teachers of various backgrounds and levels of expertise will find plenty of opportunities in South America. As a result, it’s critical to comprehend the employment procedure in this location. In certain popular teaching cities, you can find a job almost throughout the year.

You can apply for positions and have a far better chance of getting hired during peak recruiting months.

For most nations in South America, there are two primary hiring seasons:

  • summer
  • winter

Many education institutions in South America begin recruiting in February or March. Educator recruitment stays strong until August when it begins to drop.

Bear in mind that December and January are truly summertime in the southern hemisphere. As a result, few schools are seeking instructors at this moment.

Research Well Before Your Application

tefl research

You should start researching the nation and the TEFL employment market a few months before your scheduled travel date. You’re ready to look for employment once you’ve learned about your target nation.

Moreover, when you have trimmed down the cities where you’d like to start as a TEFL teacher, get to research.

To begin, look for vacant opportunities on the “Job Board.” It’s also essential not to become disheartened if you don’t see many ads for your preferred area. Remember that many institutions do not publicize their openings in this manner.

Therefore, you must be creative in your employment hunt. Look for the best TEFL courses and the job options in your chosen area.

Alternative Search Options

Start by looking for English schools in the city on Google. Additionally, local websites with decent lists of educational institutions may be helpful. Take advantage of the colleges that appear to be promising since you may wish to begin your search there.

If you cannot locate anything, conduct a new search for English schools in your preferred destination.

Joining online organizations is another method to discover employment vacancies in South America. These are online communities dedicated to finding TEFL positions, such as Facebook pages. These are useful for connecting with teachers.

You may also join discussions on TEFL job sites. You’ll be able to discover what other instructors have to say about teaching in your chosen nation.

Look At Your TEFL Qualifications

Check to see if you’re qualified. Most employers will need teachers to have at least 100 hours of TEFL training. Furthermore, you can obtain these qualifications with TEFL certification online or in a traditional classroom environment. In this location, the majority of your students will be adults rather than children.

As a result, adding “Specialized Certification in Business English” to your current qualifications may offer you an advantage. You may finish the course in a few weeks. You can add this to your CV and get more options than before.

Get to Networking

When it comes to finding a good TEFL job in South America, this is arguably the most crucial step. It’s important to start communicating as your travel date approaches. You need to start networking around two months before you go.

Take a look at the web pages of the English schools on your list to see if there are any employment vacancies. Don’t panic if the website doesn’t have any available vacancies. Many job openings go unnoticed. Every semester, schools must fill EFL teaching jobs.

This is because their present employees have either returned home or moved on to the next site. So, connect, engage, and find out about TEFL teaching opportunities.

Choosing South America for Your TEFL Teaching Career

South America is becoming one of the most desirable TEFL teaching locations in the world. It has a mind-boggling mix of breathtaking stunning features, varied cultures, and vibrant cities. Colombia, Peru, Argentina, and the cities of Brazil are some of the most popular destinations to teach in South America.

Salaries in South America are not as high as in other places. However, the region’s cheap living costs make it appealing from a financial point of view.

Therefore, a TEFL teaching career in South America will help you get started. It will also offer ample growth options. So, you can complete a TEFL course in South America and start your teaching career with ease.