What to Know About Teaching English in Peru

If alpacas are your spirit animal, adventures are your jam, and service is in your heart, then look no further than being a teacher in Peru! But wait, maybe you’re wondering if teaching English in Peru without a degree is possible, how much you can make teaching English in Peru, if it’s a budget-friendly location, or if you’ll have any free time to visit legendary sites, along with many other questions. Here you'll find out what to know about teaching English in Peru!

Want to teach in a place with views like this? Here’s what to know about teaching English in Peru.

This South American country dishes out a colorful ensemble of jaw-dropping sceneries, architectural sites, and delicious cuisines. As a top bucket-list destination for people all over the world, you’re helping open up future job opportunities for Peruvians by teaching them English.

And with a warm and welcoming culture, you’re bound to get to enjoy a Pisco Sour and ceviche with new amigos. Not to mention you’ll gain an array of skills from this chapter in your life too!

What are the requirements to teach English in Peru?

The requirements to teach English in Peru often vary by position and institution. In a choclo (corn) shell, here’s an overview of what you’ll need to have under your belt:

• Language Schools/Volunteer Positions: They may require, or prefer, a TEFL certificate and native or near-native English proficiency. A degree usually isn’t a requirement.
• Universities/Private International Schools: These institutions have stricter requirements and will often require a degree, native or near-native English proficiency, a TEFL certificate or other teaching license, and teaching experience.

Some institutions may require those who want to teach English to hold a passport from the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or South Africa.

In most cases, a tourist visa for 90 days will be all you need (a stamp on your passport upon arriving), and you can request to extend it another 90 days once in the country. If you’re staying longer, your program provider or employer can usually help you navigate the visa process.

Is teaching English in Peru without a degree possible?

So, do you need a degree to teach English in Peru? Teaching English in Peru without a degree is possible! If you’re looking at teaching as a volunteer or in a language school, the employer most likely won’t require a degree.

Keep in mind that other types of institutions, such as international schools or universities, will most likely require a degree. Having a degree often helps candidates be more competitive in certain urban areas and also helps them earn a higher salary.

But not to worry, most institutions are more interested in hiring someone who is a native English speaker (or has native English-level proficiency) and has earned a TEFL certificate.

Can I volunteer to teach English in Peru?

Start crafting your lesson plans, because you’re well on your way to making a difference as a teacher.

Yes, positions for volunteer teaching English in Peru are readily available! Even better, most programs only require that the volunteer can speak English fluently. Plus, as a volunteer, you’ll have the chance to dip your toe in the waters and gain valuable experience.

You could find volunteer positions that involve assistant teaching, educational outreach with street children, or leading your own classes or workshops. Many rural areas lack educational resources compared to their urban counterparts, so as a volunteer teacher in those areas, you’d be helping to bridge that literacy gap.

Most providers place volunteers in homestay accommodations, so you can even improve your Spanish and enjoy home-cooked meals!

What can I expect from an English teacher salary in Peru?

So, how much can you make teaching English in Peru? Depending on the type of institution, location, the number of hours you’re teaching, and your credentials, the teaching English in Peru salary typically falls anywhere between $400 and $1,000.

You’ll see more of the lower end of that range at public language schools, especially in rural areas, and mid-to-higher end of that range at private international schools or universities.

While your wallet may not be bursting at the seams, the silver lining is that Peru offers a low cost of living. So, you’ll more likely break even, especially if you use public transportation and live with a host family or live in an apartment with other teachers. Plus, you can get a satisfying almuerzo (lunch) for around $2 to $5!

Talk to our FREE Online Advisor and get matched with 5 teach abroad programs in Peru

5 benefits of teaching English in Peru

Here are all the top ahhh-mazing advantages of teaching English in Peru:

1. Get plenty of flexibility with your teaching position.

With many teaching positions in Peru, you’ll be working around 20 hours a week, sometimes up to 30 hours. So, you’ll have plenty of free time to visit museums and artisan markets, enjoy some nightlife, and meet new people. Plus, during holiday breaks, you can go on trips to other Peruvian towns and landmarks!

2. You’ll have your pick of adventures!

Time outside the classroom here translates to major adventure.

You’ll find just about every type of landscape under the sol (sun) here! Wind your way through the sacred Incan ruins of Machu Picchu. Glimpse dolphins in the gentle waters of the Amazon. Trek up to the colorful chevron stripes of Rainbow Mountain. Catch some rays on the white-sand beaches of Mancora Beach. That’s not even the half of it!

3. Enjoy a budget-friendly location.

Lauded as one of the cheapest countries in South America, Peru is pretty easy on the wallet. Average living costs are around just $500 a month for a single person. So, if you’re earning a few hundred bucks with your teaching English in Peru salary, you may be able to break even or pocket the difference to explore to your heart’s delight and jet-set to the neighboring countries of Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, or Chile!

4. Boost your Spanish-speaking skills.

Peruvians tend to have a clear, neutral Spanish accent, making it the perfect place to improve your Spanish! Whether you’re buying a bus ticket or asking for mangos at the market, you’ll also have plenty of opportunities to practice. You could also start or join a language exchange club on the side to get the hang of rolling your r’s!

5. Gain valuable skills for your resume.

Similar to Peru’s terrain, you’ll have many peaks and valleys while teaching English in Peru. You’ll face an assortment of challenges but also enjoy an array of joys. You’ll be able to add problem solving, cross-cultural communication, adaptability, and time management skills to your resume, which are all transferable for just about any career!

3 opportunities to teach English in Peru

Ready to embark on an epic journey? Check out these programs!

1. TEFL Connect: Teach English in Peru - Full Certification & Paid Job

• Highlights: Gain hands-on teaching experience in person with TEFL Connect! This four-week course takes place in the heart of Cusco, directly across from the sacred and beautiful Q’oricancha—the Temple of the Sun.
• You’ll even get to practice teaching local Peruvians. Stay with a host family or in your own private apartment—your choice. Upon completing the course, you’ll be well on your way to securing a teaching position almost anywhere in Peru!
• Where? Cusco
• Read TEFL Connect reviews

2. GoEco: Peru - Kindergarten Assistance

• Highlights: Are you interested in immersing yourself in an authentic Peruvian experience? With this program, you’ll be in a home made of adobe and stone in Cajamarca, a city in the northern highlands.
• The goal of this program is for young children to learn English from volunteers like you organizing fun games and activities. So, if you’re a kid at heart, then this position is for you! In your free time, enjoy the thermal baths, explore archaeological sites, and more.
• Where? Cajamarca
• Read GoEco reviews

3. International Volunteer HQ: Teach English in Peru

• Highlights: Whether you’d like to soak up some sun on the coast in Lima or explore the ancient ruins in Cusco, you could choose to teach in either location with IVHQ! As an IVHQ volunteer teaching English in Peru, you could be teaching children or adults, and you’ll likely be in after-school programs or in community centers.
• Even if you don’t have teaching experience, you could sign up for IVHQ’s online TEFL certification. Plus, with IVHQ, you can add on private or group Spanish lessons, city tours, hiking treks, and other activities!
• Where? Cusco or Lima
• Read International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] reviews

Can’t pick? Sign up for MyGoAbroad and compare these programs side-by-side for FREE

Teaching English in Peru might just change your life!

Peru is waiting for you, future teacher!

Now you’re covered on what to know about teaching English in Peru! From the Andes to the Amazon and the Colca Canyon to the Cabo Blanco Coast, no matter where you decide to teach English in Peru, this megadiverse country will for sure broaden your horizons.

While you’re there to give language lessons, your experience will teach you important life lessons. And who knows? You might even find your own new groove from teaching!