Chile stands out as a thrilling destination for teaching English overseas. It not only ranks among the top choices for teaching in South America but also holds a prominent position as a prime global destination for teaching opportunities!
Having the most advanced economy in South America, Chile offers many benefits for English teachers, including a low cost of living, great travel opportunities, and fewer hiring restrictions than some other countries in Central and South America. Above all, Chile offers abundant teaching opportunities, with strong backing from the government through various teacher sponsorship programs aimed at English language education.
If you are considering teaching English abroad, follow this thorough guide on how to teach English in Chile—covering everything from English teacher salaries in Chile to all the qualifications you need to be an English teacher in Chile!
Do I need a visa to teach English in Chile?
Hop on board for the adventure of a lifetime.
First things first. Before you book your plane ticket and grab your passport, you need to figure out the visa requirements for teaching English in Chile.
There are several visa requirements you need to consider to be eligible to teach English in Chile. The first requirement to teach English in Chile is to secure a work visa, which most educators do through their employers.
Schools assist teachers in navigating the visa application process by giving them a legitimate contract. The visa will therefore be tied to the employer, so the contract must be completed in order for the teacher to maintain legal immigration status.
If you’re a United States citizen hoping to teach English in Chile, there are no visa fees, but individuals from other countries may encounter visa fees as high as $1,000. While a few travelers may choose to teach in Chile on tourist visas, it is important to note that this practice is not legal and strongly discouraged.
But acquiring a work visa to teach English in Chile is not a difficult process overall as the Chilean government promotes learning the language, making it easier to obtain a contract at schools.
Can I teach English in Chile without a degree?
Those study sessions will soon pay off.
A university degree that is equivalent to a four-year bachelor’s degree, in any field, is usually expected from those who want to teach English in Chile. However, in some cases, you can teach English in Chile without a degree.
While you might come across some programs that do not require a bachelor’s degree, you will still need to hold a reputable Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certificate.
It is important to note here that a TEFL or TESOL certification is essential even when you have a bachelor’s degree, and even if you’re a native speaker. While these are necessities you need to keep in mind, you don’t always need a degree to teach English in Chile.
4 other requirements to teach English in Chile
There are some more requirements you’ll need to meet in order to start teaching English in Chile, in addition to visa requirements. These include meeting certain qualifications and ensuring you have sufficient funds before you start earning your English teacher salary in Chile:
- TEFL or TESOL: You will need a TEFL or TESOL certificate, as mentioned above.
- English ability: While being a native speaker is not a prerequisite, having a near-native level of English is expected in most schools in Chile.
- Teaching experience: Previous teaching experience is not required, but it is preferred by most schools. During your TEFL course, you will participate in a compulsory practicum component designed to provide you with valuable hands-on experience in teaching real non-native English speakers. You can highlight this as teaching experience on your resume!
- Sufficient funds: Make sure you’re prepared for start-up costs! As your career as a teacher in Chile is not likely to start on your day of arrival, you should budget for approximately one to two months of living expenses. This typically amounts to $1,850 to $2,250 in start-up costs until you commence earning an income. Additionally, you’ll need to plan for your airfare from your home country to Chile.
How to teach English in Chile
1. Decide when and where to go
The best part of figuring out how to teach English in Chile? Deciding where you’ll go!
Touristic places like Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine, Patagonia, and San Pedro de Atacama are prime spots for offering English instruction in Chile. This is due to the fact that both locals and other international workers in the tourism sector require English language skills to serve the needs of tourists.
If you’re considering teaching English for tourism-related purposes, it’s worth noting that the peak tourist season typically starts in November and concludes in March, which means the demand increases significantly a few months before that period.
At the end of the day, deciding when and where to teach comes down to your leisure-time interests and whether you have a penchant for urban life, rural landscapes, coastal areas, or mountains.
2. Choose a program
There are many different types of programs to choose from when you’re deciding how to teach English in Chile. You can find jobs from the start, or go for a TEFL course that offers job assistance to get your foot in the door.
As you have different options to choose from, it’s a matter of deciding which program will be best for you on your journey to become an English teacher in Chile.
3. Make sure you meet all the requirements
These programs generally have similar requirements with regards to visas and previous experience, but it is important to make sure you meet all of the necessary requirements to teach English in Chile before applying to your program of choice. You will need to have a relevant visa, as well as an accredited TEFL certificate and (for certain positions) a university degree to be able to teach English in Chile.
It’s also important to note that while most programs won’t require you to be a native English speaker, some might. As for non-natives, they will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level.
4. Apply for the programs
Most programs follow a pretty straightforward application process. As many providers tend to offer programs to teach English in other countries or have other training courses, you will need to know which specific program you want to apply to and check that you meet all the requirements.
After that, you will need to gather all the necessary travel documents such as passports and visas so you are ready to start your application process!
5. Create a budget
Save up and create a budget now so you’re prepared for start-up costs in Chile.
While the average salary range for teaching English in Chile typically falls between $750 to $1,000 per month, your career as a teacher in Chile is not likely to start on your day of arrival. Therefore, creating a budget before your arrival in Chile is essential.
You should budget for one to two months of living expenses. Plan to cover your start-up costs until you start earning your salary as an English teacher in Chile.
6. Apply for a visa (if necessary)
If you plan on finding a job after arriving in Chile, your initial entry into Chile will typically be on a tourist visa. You can subsequently transition to a work visa through your employer once you secure a job.
It’s important to note that if you’re a United States citizen hoping to teach English in Chile, there are no visa fees, but individuals from other countries may encounter visa fees as high as $1,000. Make sure to regularly check the Chilean Consulate website to know which type of visa is the best one for you and the cost of your visa, as this information is subject to change.
7. Book your flight!
After all your research, all that’s left for you to kick-start your career as an English teacher in Chile is to get there! Gather your necessary travel documents and book your flight. It’s time to see why teaching abroad is the best job ever.
Our Online Advisor can match you with teach abroad programs in Chile—it’s free!
3 teach abroad programs in Chile to consider
You’ll have options to start teaching English in Chile. While some programs are real remote jobs like Dynamic English, others, including ITA and OnTESOL, are TEFL courses that offer job assistance:
1. Get Paid to Teach Abroad with a TEFL Certification from ITA
- Why? International TEFL Academy provides top-notch TEFL sessions in addition to the greatest job search assistance, TEFL specialty courses, and alumni participation in the TEFL industry. By enrolling, you can become professionally competent to teach English remotely or in up to over 80 different countries, in addition to Chile!
- Where? Learn online in various locations in Chile
- Read International TEFL Academy reviews
2. Teach English Abroad with OnTESOL
- Why? If you’re looking to get your certification, OnTESOL is a program you can consider to teach English in Chile. By earning a monthly income, you get to save money for your trips or to pay your student loans! OnTESOL also provides access to a wide array of opportunities spanning various placements, encompassing entry-level, professional, IELTS preparation, and Business English positions.
- Where? Learn online in various locations in Chile
- Read OnTESOL reviews
3. Become a Dynamic Teacher in Chile!
- Why? Offering visa sponsorship, this program follows a structure of engaging one-to-one sessions or small groups of up to four adult students, primarily focusing on conversational skills. If you have a native-level proficiency in English, hold TEFL or CELTA certification (or equivalent), have at least a four-year bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), and demonstrate strong communication skills, Dynamic English can be the program you’re looking for! Do make sure you also have a stable internet connection and a reliable computer or laptop with access to a camera and microphone as they are essential for this program.
- Where? Santiago
- Learn more about Dynamic English
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Chile has a rapidly growing market for English teachers!
It’s time to tap into your wanderlust while making a difference in your students’ lives.
Chile’s reputation as a captivating destination for teaching English abroad is well-founded and promising. Its position as both a South American and global teaching hotspot is backed by a flourishing economy, attractive cost of living, and extensive travel prospects.
Now that you have all the information about the requirements you need to meet to teach English in Chile—from obtaining a visa to financially preparing yourself for start-up costs—it’s up to you to make the final call! An exciting English teaching career in Chile awaits you.
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