| Country | Avg. monthly salary | Degree required | Start of term | Teaching experience | Housing & flights included | Suitable for non-native English speakers | Age restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teach in Dominican Republic | 45,484 DOP £599 GBP $760 USD | August | None |
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As one of the poorest countries in the Caribbean, most TEFL positions in the Dominican Republic are voluntary rather than paid roles. While this isn’t good news for those looking for long-term teaching positions, it makes the Dominican Republic a great place for newbie TEFL teachers who want to get some experience under their belt […]
As one of the poorest countries in the Caribbean, most TEFL positions in the Dominican Republic are voluntary rather than paid roles. While this isn’t good news for those looking for long-term teaching positions, it makes the Dominican Republic a great place for newbie TEFL teachers who want to get some experience under their belt before committing to a longer contract.
Also, travellers who want to do a bit of teaching while on a gap year or backpacking trip will be drawn to this destination, which is a popular tourist spot. In fact, it's the most visited destination in the Caribbean. The rising tourism industry in the Dominican Republic has led to increased demand for TEFL teachers, but wages remain modest. The low cost of living makes it easy to get by without earning much, and many voluntary positions will offer room and board in exchange for language skills.
While many positions in the country are voluntary, it is possible to find paid positions, but bear in mind that many paying positions are at faith schools, where successful candidates will be chosen for their commitment to supporting students spiritually as well as academically.
Before the formation of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the island was jointly named Hispaniola. The oldest cathedral in the Americas, which dates back to 1540, is located in the Dominican Republic and is called the Catedral de Santa Maria La Menor. In the Bay of Samana you can catch a glimpse of humpback whales during mating season, or visit the sanctuary for injured animals. There is much to see and do in this idyllic setting; read on to find out how to get a teaching job in the Dominican Republic .
Key Facts
- Popular locations for TEFL jobs : Santo Domingo, San Juan de la Maguana and Santiago
- Average salary for EFL teachers : In the Dominican Republic, TEFL teachers usually earn between $740 and $1,000 USD / £600 and £800 per month, with experienced teachers or those in urban centres potentially making up to $2,000 / £1,600 monthly (Source: Finders Teachers , Serious Teachers )
- Benefits: While additional benefits like housing or flight stipends are rare, the cost of living is reasonable, offering comfortable living conditions.
- TEFL qualification requirements:
To teach English in the Dominican Republic, a TEFL certification is required, with a 120-hour TEFL certificate being the industry standard. A bachelor’s degree is mandatory, although experience is preferred, it is not always essential. Employers usually require native English proficiency and a clean criminal record. A valid passport and work visa are also mandatory.
- Term times : The school year begins in mid-August
- Currency : DOP (Peso)
- Language : Spanish
- Teaching programmes : Public School, Private Language Schools, Business English, International Schools, Private Tutoring, Online Teaching, Volunteering
- Age restrictions: None
- Previous teaching experience: Beneficial but not required for most jobs
Locals aren’t known for their punctuality, so don’t be surprised if your students are often late for class. While there is a need for teachers to instruct school aged children, there are also plenty of adults who want to learn English to prepare them for university studies or to help them succeed in business. People are quite relaxed about their studies and their skill level can be variable.
In a warm location like the Dominican Republic, teachers will need to think carefully about their wardrobe before travelling – you don’t need to be as modestly dressed as in other locations, but your teaching outfits should be cool to wear in warm weather but also look professional. Many teachers decide to use a scooter or motorbike to get around but be aware of what the roads are like. Motorbikes are popular because it makes it easy to get around, but accident rates are high. Something else to be aware of is that the Dominican Republic is one of the few countries in the world that has a complete ban on abortion. It’s illegal both for women to seek an abortion and also for health professionals to provide it, with punishment of up to ten years in prison .
Requirements for teaching English in Dominican Republic
Living Costs
One of the cheapest countries in Latin America, the cost of living in the Dominican Republic is cheaper than in 80% of countries in the world, making it an attractive destination for teaching English abroad. When it comes to spending your free time in this destination, hitting the beach is the obvious choice. Apart from a moderate stormy season, temperatures and weather don’t vary much throughout the year, and can be described as an ‘endless summer’ of warm, sunny weather. As well as beaches, there are swamps, tropical rainforests, and mountain ranges to explore. Golf is also highly popular in the Dominican Republic. Other popular activities include surfing, kayaking, swimming, kiteboarding, fishing, and horseback riding. If you’d rather spend your time visiting vibrant colonial cities and quaint villages, there will be plenty for you to do on your days off, not to mention the fascinating history and numerous museums there are to discover.
| Restaurants | DOP | USD | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | |||
| Domestic beer (0.5 litre) | |||
| Regular cappuccino | |||
| Water (0.33 litre) | |||
| Markets | DOP | USD | GBP |
| Regular milk (1 litre) | |||
| Loaf of white bread | |||
| Regular eggs (1 dozen) | |||
| Apples (1 kg) | |||
| Transportation | DOP | USD | GBP |
| One-way ticket (local transport) | |||
| Monthly pass (regular price) | |||
| Taxi start (normal tariff) | |||
| Gasoline (1 litre) | |||
| Utilities | DOP | USD | GBP |
| Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage (for a regular apartment) | |||
| Regular prepaid monthly mobile tariff with 10GB+ data | |||
| Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | |||
| Clothing and shoes | DOP | USD | GBP |
| Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or something similar) | |||
| Summer dress in a chain store | |||
| Nike running shoes (mid-range) | |||
| Men's leather business shoes |
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