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Teach English in Buenos Aires

Amazing weather, ample opportunities and a deeply ingrained appreciation for English – what more could you ask for than a teaching experience of a lifetime in Buenos Aires?

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If you’re looking for a capital city that has it all, then Argentina’s will not disappoint. The Buenos Aires metropolitan area is gargantuan, containing a third of Argentina’s entire population alone. With 202 square kilometres to explore, a unique history and a seemingly endless supply of enthusiastic students, it’s a wonder why there aren’t more TEFL teachers in Buenos Aires.

Argentina has a high standard of English, owing to a range of current and historical factors, and there’s plenty of demand for teaching. That’s just as well because Buenos Aires has plenty to entice English teachers. The “Paris of South America” has gorgeous Latin architecture, vibrant nightlife that goes beyond tango (as good as tango is!), incredible wines, and a climate that compares favourably with winters in the UK, mainland Europe or eastern North America.

There’s a lot to talk about when it comes to teaching English in Buenos Aires. What kind of English teaching salaries are on offer? What requirements are there to meet for teaching jobs in Argentina’s capital? What about the cost of living and the types of jobs on offer?

Let’s take a look at teaching English in Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires: An overview 

Argentina, as a whole, has high levels of English proficiency. According to EF’s English Proficiency Index, Argentina ranks 28th of 113 nations worldwide for English ability. That compares well with top TEFL destinations, and yet Buenos Aires isn’t often considered among the premiere destinations for TEFL teaching. The standard of English teachers has to be high for there to be such a strong level of English in major cities, towns and villages across Argentina.

How big is Buenos Aires, exactly? Well, the total population tops out at around 15.6 million, meaning that there are plenty of prospective students across the city, at a range of ages, who will need English tutoring.

Why is English proficiency so high, and why does it remain so important? History provides important context. Welsh, Irish, English and Scottish immigration accounts for a great level of interest and proficiency in English. Across Argentina, the influence of the British Isles can be seen in the number of bilingual schools, which began to sprout up in the early to mid-19th century. 

So, for TEFL teachers, this means loads of students, specific bilingual schools, English teaching positions aplenty and great interest in English more widely in Buenos Aires. What more could a TEFL teacher ask for? Well, there’s a little more - Business English. According to job listings, and advice from TEFL discussions on Reddit, Business English is an industry unto itself, with business professionals both aspiring and current looking to expand their economic opportunities.

Requirements for teaching English in Buenos Aires 

With all those job opportunities, a long-held culture of English teaching in Argentina, and a massive population in Buenos Aires, you’re probably wondering what the requirements to teach are for this South American metropolis.

Wonder no more!

Visa

To be granted a visa for English teaching work in Buenos Aires, you need a job. Specifically, you need to be offered a permanent teaching job. Half of the administrative details will be handled by you. You need to provide a valid passport, criminal record, proof of agreed residence and proof of income. The other half, an employer handles. There’ll be a document signed by both yourself and your employer in which the responsibilities of your job, employer registration details, salary and other important details will be listed.

If you're successful, a temporary residence permit is granted for 1 year, renewable annually.

Salary, Benefits and Cost of Living in Buenos Aires 

Salary

Based on our research, the type of teaching salary you can make in Buenos Aires is similar to the average that you’ll find English teachers earning in Argentina more broadly. At the time of writing, Argentina’s economy is going through a tricky period. At one stage, it had the world’s highest rate of inflation. 

This has spooked employers a little bit, with good reason. Therefore, at the time of writing, and based on job adverts we’ve seen, we’d place an average salary for English teachers in Buenos Aires at a range of ARS$500,000 - $1,200,000 (£457 - £1,097/US$571 - $1,370) per month. Teachers at the higher end of this salary range usually work in roles that require teaching experience and a degree. 

Private tutoring is popular. Usually, you can charge between $12 - $20 USD / £9.61 - £16 per hour for private classes.   

Benefits

English teachers in Buenos Aires can generally expect help to find accommodation when they move over to teach. This can come in the form of practical help, like sourcing a range of apartments, financial assistance, or actually providing accommodation.

Cost of living

Again, it’s important to note that Argentina has gone through a cost of living crisis in recent times. The cost of food, in particular, skyrocketed, and the price of consumer products and basic living expenses has been volatile.

Argentina’s economy is volatile and the following information is subject to rapid change. However, taking the current temperature of costs in Buenos Aires, via Numbeo, we can get a decent picture of the cost of living. If you want to live in a city-centre, one-bedroom apartment, the average monthly cost is $486/£390, which drops to $358/£287 per month outside central Buenos Aires. 

Basic utilities cost about $41/£33, a monthly transport pass costs a very reasonable $7/£6, and as for eating and drinking in Buenos Aires? A meal for two in a mid-priced restaurant is about $34/£27. There are plenty of amazing steak restaurants, Argentina’s speciality dish, though plant-based dining is having a surge in popularity!

Download our teaching English in Latin America guide

English teaching jobs in Buenos Aires

So, where are all the teaching jobs in Buenos Aires? Let’s take a look at where some of the best opportunities are!

Bilingual schools

As we mentioned previously, bilingual schools are everywhere. Due to the large presence of British and Irish immigrants in Argentina from the early 19th century onwards, the English language is heavily ingrained in Argentine culture, even if the main language is Spanish. One of the legacies of this is bilingual education.

English teachers are needed to continue this tradition. Whether you’re a native or non-native speaker of English, it doesn’t matter too much, but you’re likely to need a degree and you’ll certainly need TEFL certification to be taken on.

Private language schools

With many looking to get ahead in business, and English representing socio-economic opportunities, it’s common for adults in Buenos Aires to take English classes either after work or on the weekends. This is where you fit in. There are loads of private language schools in Buenos Aires looking for qualified teachers to cater to the considerable demand.

State schools/private schools

English has long been in the school curriculum in Buenos Aires, even at monolingual schools, so there are opportunities for English teachers within the state or private education system. These jobs usually require at least a bachelor’s, a TEFL certificate, at least two years of teaching experience and, if possible, a solid, demonstrable understanding of Spanish.

Tutoring

Tutoring, both offline and online, is a great way to supplement your income. Your two main audiences for this are children who study at bilingual schools (and don’t have any English speakers in their family), and adults who need Business English lessons. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. How much do English teachers make in Buenos Aires?

    Salaries for English teaching opportunities in Buenos Aires can be variable, but we’d put an average teaching salary in Buenos Aires, for a full-time position, at a range of ARS$500,000 - $1,200,000 (£457 - £1,097/US$571 - $1,370) per month.

  • Q. Is Argentina a good place to teach English?

    With its immense demand for English lessons, high levels of proficiency, amazing landscape and culture, Argentina is a fine choice for any English teacher.

  • Q. How can I teach in Buenos Aires Argentina?

    To teach in Buenos Aires, Argentina, you’ll need to meet the requirements for an English teaching job. From there, you’ll need to undertake the working visa process, and your prospective employer must provide their job offer to you as evidence of your impending stay. From there, the process is straightforward.

  • Q. Do you need to speak Spanish to teach English in Argentina?

    We’d always suggest that learning the native language is helpful wherever you go. You don’t need to speak Spanish for the vast majority of English teaching roles in Argentina, but naturally, it would help in certain situations.