Work Abroad

Despite the thousands of Americans looking for their Latin Dream there’s still plenty of English teaching jobs throughout the Spanish speaking countries. The downside, though, is the pay can really be minimal. Pay in Mexico is typically only 3 to 5 dollars an hour, and down in Argentina in South America the same. You typically will be working without a visa which could result in the comical situation of being deported back to the first world should you be caught.

There are many teaching jobs open in Mexico, the biggest country and economy south of the border. Work opportunites get pretty thin through Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Costa Rica has jobs in San Jose. It’s a shithole unfortunately but you might get lucky elsewhere in the country.

You can get by as a gringo English teacher all over South America and experience is generally more important than qualifications. The diplomas and such are often only so that the school can get a work visa for you and that’s not too likely to happen in South America. These days Chile must be the best paying though in Brazil Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro also pay okay.

This is not the continent to get rich in. But you’ll quite possibly have more fun. Wages pretty much hang around the $5 an hour mark but that’s usually enough to cover living expenses. Don’t expect to save any money this way.

In most places you’ll be expected to dress pretty smart and you’ll be left wondering how everyone afford suits and dresses that must cost two months’ salary.

The atmosphere for teaching is pretty relaxed here. This means there’s less pressure on you but then again it’s hard to maintain a learning atmosphere. Students will chat to each other while you’re teaching, answer their phones and maybe step out to get some coffee while you’re explaining the exercise. Just go with the flow, it’s show they are. Unless you are a Type A type that stresses out over everything you will eventually learn the love the slow pace of the culture.

Back to Top - Print this page