TEFL jobs in Colombia
A complete guide for TEFL teachers on teaching English in Colombia
Overview
Due to the risks associated with visiting and residing in Colombia, it used to be referred to as a no-go zone for TEFL teachers. But ever since a peace accord in 2016, Colombia has begun to shed its past reputation, and people looking to teach English in Colombia have been pouring in. It is all the more appealing because the natives are hospitable, inviting, and supportive of foreigners’ arrival. In addition, Colombia is a fascinating location with a lot to see and do, which makes it well-liked among daring TEFL teachers. The walled city of Cartagena, the Gold Museum, scaling Mount Monserrate, lounging in the lovely Parque Arqueológico, and marvelling at the Piedra del Pool are just a few of the top tourist attractions available.
Because many jobs focus on corporate English, it is simple to locate positions teaching English in Colombia, and various initiatives encourage bilingualism in the educational system. Both entry-level roles for freshly certified TEFL teachers and possibilities for highly skilled and experienced English teachers in Colombia are available. You can also find volunteer opportunities teaching English in Colombia in addition to paid employment. Even while wages are often modest—especially for work in the local language schools—a low cost of living makes it possible to get by on a lower salary. Colombia can be the ideal teaching location if you’re eager to travel somewhere new where the excitement is around every turn.
In this guide, we have tried to cover everything you need to know, including the qualifications and experience you will require. We also take a look at the culture and how you might find it living and working as an English teacher in Colombia. Because this was once an unsuitable country to live you should be sure you understand the various pitfalls and take precautions to keep yourself safe. It is worth saying that things are improving all the time and that plenty of people will attest that working as an English teacher in Colombia is now a safe and enjoyable way to spend some time and will come with many great experiences.
Types of teaching jobs
Program To Teach English in Colombia (TEC)
Workers, business owners, and the Catholic Church collaborated to create the SENA National Training Service, which offers vocational training to the workforce of the nation. For pupils who can’t afford it, SENA is a respected training course that is free.
The TEC Teach English in Colombia programme was recently launched under SENA in response to the new government’s emphasis on English education. TEC volunteers are American native speakers who have a TEFL certification or at least one year of classroom experience and will teach English in Colombia to private individuals.
International Private Schools
Private international schools may be a fantastic area to hunt for a high-paying career for English teachers in Colombia with two or more years of experience. The typical requirements for these English teaching positions in Colombia are native speakers, a TEFL certificate or equivalent, and at least a bachelor’s degree.
Private Language Schools
You might simply need a college degree to be eligible for a position teaching English in Colombia for a for-profit language school. However, arriving in the nation and making an application in person is the greatest strategy to find these teaching positions as they tend to prefer to interview their candidates in person.
Finding work might be challenging if you don’t know where to seek it, just as you might anticipate anyplace in the world. The private institution Universidad EAFIT is a well-liked location for TEFL instructors to work.
State Run High-Schools
Many public schools in Colombia are now employing foreign teachers to co-teach English lessons as a result of a recent government initiative. So despite the slightly lower income, you can be confident that the kids you teach are benefiting from the work you do if you choose this type of work when you teach English in Colombia.
Salaries, requirements & visas
Popular locations for TEFL jobs
Bogota, Medellin, Bucaramanga, Barranquilla, and Cali
The average salary for EFL teachers
The basic monthly salary for full-time positions is likely to be in the region of 1.5 million to 2 million pesos (€380–€500) per month. Jobs for experienced teachers at IB schools can pay up to around 5 million (€1,200) pesos per month.
TEFL qualification requirements
A 120-hour TEFL qualification will be required for most positions
Prerequisite university degree
Most positions require a BA degree
Term times
Public school years start in January/February and end in November, with holidays in April, June and October. Private schools start in August/September and end in June
Teaching programmes
Private Language Schools, Public Schools, Voluntary, Government Program, Freelance
Age restrictions
None
Previous teaching experience
Beneficial but not always required
Living costs
Colombia is the second-cheapest nation in Latin America and is less expensive than 91 per cent of the world’s nations. Although TEFL salaries aren’t large, you can survive on even the lowest pay due to the high cost of living. In Colombia, professors frequently go on volunteer teaching roles, yet they nevertheless manage to enjoy themselves while travelling without being paid. Most volunteer opportunities provide free housing, a monthly stipend, and internal transit from Bogota.
Life in Colombia can be a little spartan for some ex-pats; don’t count on things running on schedule or being overly efficient, but visitors will quickly grow to love the country’s kind people. In addition, you’ll experience a wide range of weather conditions (so carry proper gear!) and indulge in a variety of regional specialities when dining out.
You should exercise caution when out and about, even though Colombia is shedding its reputation as a dangerous country. When taking public transportation or in crowded areas, it is advisable to phone ahead and reserve a taxi rather than flagging one down on the street. You should also always keep your possessions close at hand. In addition, it is advisable to stay away from dark areas at night and conduct your social visits in a group, especially if you are a lone female.
To obtain the most up-to-date cost of living figures, we use the world’s biggest cost of living comparison website, Numbio.com.
Accommodation
€391–€626
Utilities
€55
Health insurance
Cost of a typical visit to a GP: €17
Monthly transport pass
€30
Basic dinner out for two
€8
Cappuccino in an ex-pat area
€1.75
A beer in a pub
€0.90
1 litre of milk
€0.65
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