TEACH ENGLISH IN CHILE

About Teaching English in Chile

How do I become a English teacher in Chile?

In order to teach English in Chile, you will need a TEFL certificate. A 4-year college degree is preferred but not required. Native English proficiency is also expected to find a TEFL job. The average salary for an English teacher in Chile is about $750 to $1,000 USD per month.

Boasting the most advanced and developed economy in South America, Chile is one of the top job markets for teaching English on the continent.  The draws of living and teaching in Chile are endless. With a coastline stretching more than 2,400 miles, Chile is home to some of the most diverse terrain on the globe. The Chilean Andes are among the world's highest and most beautiful mountains (offering world-class skiing) and the Atacama Desert represents the driest place on the earth. 

For English teachers considering Chile, it's important to keep in mind the peak hiring seasons which are March & April and also July & August. One aspect of teaching English in Chile that differs from many other Latin American nations is that schools do typically sponsor work visas for their teachers.

In terms of getting hired, many schools will interview teachers in advance over the phone and via email.  More commonly though, English teachers will find jobs on the ground in Chile, where most job interviews are conducted in-person.  Teachers will also be responsible for their airfare, as well as housing. Many English teachers share an apartment with coworkers. 

There are also opportunities to volunteer (with stipend and housing) as a teaching assistant in local public schools through the Chilean government's "English Opens Doors" Program.

A solid hourly wage allows English teachers to live comfortably in Chile. Schools typically offer around 20-25 hours per week of work, leaving you plenty of opportunities to travel and explore all that Chile has to offer.  TEFL certified teachers looking to teach in Chile will find most jobs in Santiago, Valparaiso, Serena, Concepcion, Vina Del Mar.

How to Teach English in Chile: Requirements

TEFL Certification

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Chile. You don't need prior teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you need to get hired. 

Teachers typically interview in-person in Chile, though some schools may interview in advance over the phone or video chat. The most popular TEFL course options for teachers interested in Chile are listed below.

Read more: What are the requirements to teach English in Chile?

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Chile, however, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs. Citizenship from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa is typically preferred but not always required.

Degree Requirements

While a bachelor's degree is not required to secure a job in Chile, it still can be strongly preferred by employers. If you do not have a degree, you should be prepared for a more competitive job search.

How to Find TEFL Jobs in Chile

English Teaching Jobs in Chile

The most common teaching jobs in Chile consist of:

• Teaching business professionals in English language schools.
• Teaching children in public schools through the English Opens Doors Program.
• Private tutoring both children and adults.
• Teaching English Online.

TEFL Jobs Chile: Hiring & Visa

English teachers in Chile can expect to find jobs during the peak hiring seasons of February-March and July-August. So if you are planning to interview face-to-face in Chile, it's best to be looking for a job during those peak months.

If you are planning to find your job in person, you'll enter Chile on a tourist visa and then switch over to a work visa after finding a job. If you find your job in advance before heading to Chile, you can process a work visa from your home country.

There are two different types of work visas for English teachers, the Subject to Contract visa (costs $600 to process) and a Professional visa (costs $470 to process). Be sure to check the Chilean Consulate website, as costs are subject to change. 

It's possible to teach on a tourist visa in Chile and border hop every 90 days, but it is far more common to go the work-visa route.

ESL Job Chile: Hours

English language schools in Chile offer approximately 20 to 25 hours of classroom work per week plus additional hours for prep time. This allows for plenty of time to travel and explore. 

Teaching Chilean Students

It is most common that your students will be business professionals. If you're interested in teaching children, consider the English Opens Doors program. 

TEFL Chile Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $1,850 - $2,250 USD. These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Chile until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like visa fees, rent, apartment supplies, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 

How Much Can I Earn Teaching English in Chile?

A solid hourly wage enables teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Chile. Teachers can expect to make $750 - $1,000 USD per month. It is common for teachers in Chile to also teach English online to supplement their income.

There are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided so you will need to remember to account for accommodation or temporary housing for your first few weeks in your start-up costs until you find an apartment to rent. 

Cost of Living & Savings

The average cost of living typically ranges between $650-$1,000 USD per month.

English teachers in Chile can expect to break even month after month. This means you can cover your rent and bills, support yourself, live comfortably, and enjoy your life abroad to the fullest, but you shouldn't expect to save money at the end of the month. If you are hustling and taking on private tutoring lessons and/or teaching English online in addition to your regular teaching schedule, you may increase your ability to save.