TEFL Course in Chile

Are English teachers in demand in Chile?

Chile has one of the top job markets for ESL teachers in South America with an advanced economy and high demand for English teachers across the country. Due to the high population in the capital city of Santiago and its reputation as the center for both national and international economic activities, there is a high demand for ESL teachers to teach business English.  

Meanwhile, the highest demand for TEFL teachers in Chile are in the private language institutes with special preference for native speakers. A lot of ESL teachers apply to recruiting agencies who help for placements depending on the teacher’s choice of location. Private elementary schools in Chile also offer numerous opportunities, however the salaries are much lower than in private language institutes.

A TEFL certificate in Chile will expose you to the best teaching opportunities across varied teaching options within the country especially since there is a lot of competition in the job market for English teachers.

For extra income, most ESL teachers in Chile take private tutoring classes once they are settled in the country. Private tutoring may be very unstable unless you set up a firm cancellation policy to guarantee your payment even when your student cancels.

It is important that you check with your place of employment as a number of private schools do not allow their teachers to take private tutoring classes in Chile.

What are the requirements to teach English in Chile?

A TEFL certificate in Chile is important for English teachers to get better paying ESL jobs with more benefits. This is because some private institutions will pay more to certified teachers than those who are not.

However, for most other schools where the benefits may not be as high, teachers are only expected to have a Bachelor’s degree and some teaching experience. If you choose to teach in an elementary or high school, you may be required to obtain a teaching license as well as a Master’s degree in Education.

What type of jobs are available for English teachers in Chile?

There are different types of teaching jobs for ESL teachers in Chile. The most popular job types are found in the private language academies, private schools, government sponsored programs and private teaching classes.

A number of ESL teachers in Chile take volunteer English classes as teaching assistants in the United Nations/Chilean Government program called English Opens Doors (EOD). EOD is open to native speakers between ages 21 to 35 who also hold a bachelor’s degree. As volunteers, ESL teachers are offered a stipend as well as accommodation with a host family.

Usually, as an ESL teacher in Chile, you should expect to teach a wide variety of students from business professionals to university students as well as children and teenagers.

What is the salary for English teachers in Chile?

ESL teachers with TEFL qualifications can earn between US$10 to US$20 dollars per hour teaching English in Chile.

The salary rate is higher in cities like Santiago and is dependent on the number of hours you are willing to work per week. English teachers in Chile earn between US$500 to US$1,500 monthly working an average of 20 hours per week with those Santiago having higher salary and higher cost of living.

You can also earn between US$20 to US$40 per hour as a private tutor depending on the student’s capacity to pay and your experience. Benefits for ESL teachers in Chile include a 3 work paid holiday after you have been contracted for a year.

Can you save money while teaching English in Chile?

Apart from the cheap cost of housing, Chile has a relatively high cost of living compared to other ESL destinations in South America with groceries, clothing and electronics costing nearly as much as in the United States.

The average cost of living for English teachers in just about the same as the average salary. However, most ESL teachers take advantage of the private teaching opportunities to remedy the situation allowing them to break even and save.

Accommodation Options: Accommodation costs are cheap in Chile and you need not worry about spending all your salary on rent. 

You can get an apartment between US$400 to US$500 per month for a one bedroom apartment in Chile and as it is in most other countries, cost of housing are much cheaper away from the city.

What type of visa do you need to teach English in Chile?

You are required to obtain a work visa to teach English in Chile. Some employers may offer you a job on a tourist visa but you should be aware that teaching on such visa is illegal.  An option that most ESL teachers consider is the Visa Sujeto a Contrato which is the work visa that is subject to contract and is valid for two years.

Other forms of visa includes the temporary residence visa which could be a bit cumbersome and is dependent on validating you university degree in Chile. Usually, ESL teachers can apply for permanent residence in Chile after working in the country for a minimum period of two years.

Hiring season and process for English teachers in Chile

The major hiring periods for TEFL teachers in Chile are between March and April as well as July and August although you can get private teaching opportunities anytime once you are familiar with the city you live in.

Most schools in Chile will interview ESL teachers before considering them for a job. This could be over the phone or via email. However, a lot of ESL teachers travel to Chile to look for jobs in person and attend interviews in person too.

Fun and travel activities while teaching in Chile

Chile is mostly referred to as the hiker’s paradise with lots of interesting places to visit and tourist destinations to explore. One of the most interesting sites can be found at the Magdalena Island with the largest colony of penguins you can imagine. Then you can experience a mind blowing street art in Valparaiso and the spectacular canyon on the western end of the Andes.

For lovers of adventure, the Patagonia glaciers will offers great thrills as you take part in the a tour of the magnificent glaciers that leaves one with lasting memories. You can also join other tourists to hike the vast deserts to the north for an exciting adventure.

Important cities in Chile

Santiago is the best place in Chile to look for English teaching jobs. You can also find some ESL opportunities in cities like Valparaiso, Concepcion and Antofagasta.