How to Teach and Travel Abroad: South America

Are you a teacher or professional individual who's interested in teaching in other countries? The Internet is full of sources for finding teaching positions abroad, just do a search and you'll be happy to see all the opportunities!

Some Teach Abroad programs in South America don't require teachers to have experience or a Bachelor's Degree for that matter. On the other hand, a majority of programs and recruiters want you to have certain certificates such as TEFL (Teachers of English as a Foreign Language). Why? Well, for the most part, South America cities look for native English speakers who will come to their country and teach English to their Spanish-speaking students, in schools and adult language programs. You will gain tips and training on how to teach English to others. You can get certification from abroad, your chosen Teach Abroad program itself, online, or from a community language center in many US cities. Costs vary from a couple hundred dollars to over a thousand. Even though you take the course, you will still need to get a passing score to become certified.

Now that your certification is done, you'll need to gather up a copy of your degree and certifications, passport, passport photo, medical records, and resume. You will start the job hunt process. The application process for South America teach abroad usually involves a written application, letters of reference, phone interview, and your resume of course. For teaching in South America, you'll need to apply before February because that is when their school year begins. (Autumn and the school year begins in February in South America; it's the opposite from North America.) The typical deadline for many programs is September.

Once you get accepted to a position in South America, you'll usually be assigned an advisor who will help you through your journey teaching abroad there. You should also expect a week or two of orientation, getting to know your job and local area. As far as Visas are concerned, rules vary by country. Check the chart here for more details.

The cost of living in South America is cheaper than the United States, and the salary for teaching there can be expected around $25,000 to $40,000 depending on your job location. You will more than likely be paid in local currency and some programs include housing in local apartments or homestays. Plan to stay for at least a 6-month term with 1 year being ideal for teaching.

Once your term is up, you may just find yourself extending your stay or relocating to South America! The experience and adventure of teaching abroad in South America is rewarding and something every teacher should consider doing at least once in their careers.