For nearly a decade, Colombia has been a hot destination in South America for tourists and expats, especially aspiring teachers! Perhaps it’s due to the fact that Colombia has much to offer with natural beauty, a diverse culture, affordable travel, and a low cost of living.

There isn’t a single view in Colombia that will leave you disappointed.

While its complicated history has earned it a negative reputation in the past, Colombia has long since overcome the violent image it once had. Hence, the spark in tourism over the past years.

With a steadily growing economy and high demand for ESL teachers, there's a bright outlook for teaching in Colombia. Whether you aim to teach private classes, teach online, at an institute or at a private school, there's valuable experience to be gained if you know how to teach English in Colombia.

Can I teach English in Colombia without a degree?

To teach English in Colombia, in most cases, a and bachelor's degree is required. Some private language institutes may accept teachers without a degree, though most public and private colegios (K-12 schools) will require a bachelor’s degree, or in some cases, a master’s degree.

The same goes for reputable online teaching companies who will most likely request proof of a bachelor’s degree and . A teacher with or without experience and no degree can teach private lessons to clients as a native speaker of English.

All in all, native speakers of English are highly sought after by institutes, schools, and professionals, so regardless of the requirements, it may be worth a shot to apply!

What are the requirements to teach English in Colombia?

A love for colorful streets and arepas won’t hurt!

There is a huge demand nowadays for qualified English teachers, but in rare cases, being a native English speaker alone will allow you to find work in Colombia. The requirements for teaching English in Colombia vary depending on the type of institution you would like to work at and their immediate need for a teacher with your qualifications.

It also depends on whether you’d like to manage your own time working independently, which would require less prerequisites. If you will be applying to teach at an accredited academy, the requirements would, of course, be more extensive. It’s important to decide what your endgame is and the kind of lifestyle you would like to afford during your time in Colombia.

READ:

In general, here’s how to teach English in Colombia and the most common requirements:

1. At least a TEFL certificate

Showing you have qualifications and experience certainly gives you an advantage in the ESL market. An affordable alternative to completing a four-year degree is to complete a course in teaching English as a second language, also known as TESL or TEFL. You will want to make sure you are participating in an accredited program that includes with 6 hours of teaching practice or teacher shadowing.

2. A bachelor’s degree or higher

Your college degree can earn you a ticket to Colombia.

It’s possible to earn a better salary as an English teacher in Colombia at private schools. However the most elite schools will sometimes require a master’s degree in the subject you teach. Usually having a teacher certification and a bachelor’s degree will be enough to get you in the door at a private school in Colombia.

3. The drive and patience for job-hunting

Job hunting can be strenuous no matter where you’re from, so it's safe to expect the same in Colombia. While being a native English speaker certainly works in your favor, you have to do your research. Google is your best friend in this case. There are many talented non-native, as well as native, English teachers to compete with.

It’s not uncommon that offices take weeks to respond to emails. Most institutions have their social media attached to their website, where they post their WhatsApp information. It’s a good idea to download the app and contact employers directly with your resume or CV to be on their radar right away.

A good time to apply for English teaching jobs in Colombia is between February and May when many schools are closing the school year. You can also ask the administrator of the institution when a good time to apply is, via WhatsApp or otherwise.

4. A work visa

Weekends perusing Colombian towns will make it all worth it.

In Colombia, travelers initially receive a three-month tourist visa, which is stamped at the airport upon arrival to immigration. A three-month extension is allotted to those who request it or those who leave the country and re-enter within the same year. That means you can travel to Colombia without a visa and still have six months to job hunt.

Keep in mind that not all employers will sponsor your work visa. Ask the institution upfront if your visa will be paid for. This process usually begins after signing a non-binding contract of a year or two to work at the school.

READ:

5. Full-time availability

Unless you work independently or for , it's more than likely that you will need to have an open schedule in order to meet the needs of the institution you contract with. Public and private schools in Colombia operate around two distinct calendars. Calendar A begins around February and ends in November, and Calendar B begins around September and ends in June.

6. Planning dynamic and creative classes

Be prepared to put aside time to plan and put heart into your lessons, whether you are choosing to work independently or at an institution. In rare cases your lessons will be provided to you by the school. In other cases, you may have someone assigned to help you with planning. Either way, you will need to .

7. Some Spanish knowledge

Don’t hesitate to get outside and practice (or gain!) your Spanish skills!

While it's not a requirement per se, it will certainly help you adapt to the culture shock of navigating a new place like Colombia. Most schools will encourage native English speakers to only speak in English. However, as the saying goes, when in Rome do as the Romans do. Whether you use it in the classroom or not, the more , the more you will be at an advantage.

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

Teaching salaries in Colombia vary based on the city’s cost of living, the institution, and the prospective teacher’s education and experience. Colombia’s two largest cities, Bogota and Medellin, will have more competitive salaries. The , which is a liveable wage in Colombia.

Institutes and companies, such as LearnEnglish or American School Way, tend to offer lower salaries. As mentioned before, private schools tend to have higher salaries and benefits packages.

A certified teacher at a private school could earn between 3,000,000 COP and up to 12,000,000 COP. Benefits tend to include medical, visa sponsorship, a housing stipend, and free flight home per contract terms.

There are occasions when salary and contract terms may be negotiated. It’s a good idea to find out beforehand what the institution’s typical pay rates are for native-speaking English teachers and weigh your qualifications.

Teaching English in Colombia will allow you to grow both professionally and personally!

You’ll leave Colombia feeling absolutely inspired.

The market for ESL teachers in Colombia is steadily on the rise. Moving abroad is no walk in the park, but with such a risk comes growth and perspective. In a nutshell, if you teach English in Colombia, you will become a millionaire (in Colombian pesos)! You may need to gain a TEFL certification or you may teach English in Colombia without a degree. On top of that, if you’re creative and driven enough, you could have a meaningful experience, and an above average lifestyle while saving extra money.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLvAm6momZRjsLC5jpqpraGTobK0e9OemJygXZavs7vAnWahp6diwbB5056YnKBdmruouMisn2ahnmKwsLjOppmimQ%3D%3D