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English Teaching Jobs in
Colombia

English Teaching Jobs in Colombia overlay
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tefl jobs in colombia

Though Colombia has its challenges, it’s still a vibrant, beautiful country for English teaching, and one brimming with opportunities.

Colombia is an incredible choice if you’re an English teacher searching for adventure. How about the Amazon rainforest, with its incredible wildlife, unbelievable ecology and once-in-a-lifetime views? Or, there’s the scarcely believable Tatacoa Desert, a vast collection of dizzying rock formations and surreal landscapes. That’s before we even get into the likes of Chicamocha Canyon or even scratch the surface of Colombia’s vibrant cities like Bogota, a transformed Medellin or the Old Town of Cartagena.

With the sound of Salsa, Cumbia or Vallenato ringing in your ears, Colombia can be your next amazing TEFL destination. Colombia has long-term aims to be a bilingual nation and have a more significant role on the international economic stage. There’s a significant demand for English teaching that is in alignment with these aims. Colombia may have problems, but it’s actively striving for a brighter future.

Colombia might not be the most lucrative market for English teacher jobs. Still, the cost of living is comparatively low, the people are extremely friendly, and teaching jobs are plentiful. So, how does a teacher set up to teach English in Colombia? What are the requirements for an ESL teaching career in Colombia, what are salaries like, and how quickly can you get freshly brewed coffee? Let's see what's on offer for fluent English speakers in one of the most interesting countries in South America.

Teaching English in Colombia: an overview

Unquestionably, Colombia is an exciting, challenging and gratifying place to teach English as a foreign language. That said, its linguistic landscape comes with immense challenges. Though Spanish is the national language, there are a range of indigenous languages in Colombia, and the linguistic map of the country is highly varied. English is taught in schools, and you might hear the language spoken fluently in some tourist hotspots.

Colombia’s Ministry of Education has tried to raise English proficiency levels, bringing in established institutions from English-speaking countries to help. However, in swathes of Colombia, poverty rates are sky-high, and accessibility to English lessons is practically nonexistent. There is also an ongoing combat situation in Colombia, which has seen millions displaced.

All of this is to say that you can point to Colombia’s ranking in the EF English Proficiency Index - 74th of 116 countries - and draw a quick conclusion. The standard of English proficiency is far from the best, but not quite the worst. To an extent, that’s true, but it’s essential to consider the vast differences in proficiency levels between rural and urban areas. These differences reflect the variances in standards of education in Colombia more broadly. These issues pose interesting questions for English teachers who are looking to teach abroad in a more under-represented location.

As a TEFL teacher in Colombia, you’ll have a choice: do you look for jobs in rural outposts with little infrastructure for teaching English? Or, will you head to where the demand is in Colombia’s most prominent cities? Both are entirely valid choices; both can be supremely rewarding, and either way, you get to live and work in a deeply fascinating country.

Download our teaching English in Latin America guide

Types of English teaching jobs in Colombia

Public schools

With the Colombian government making a real effort to improve levels of English education throughout the country, there are many opportunities for English teachers to teach English in Colombia through the public education system. 

Salaries aren’t outstanding, but with a low cost of living, you’ll be able to make a living. To teach in Colombia’s state education system, you’ll need to have a TEFL certificate and, in some cases, have a degree.

Requirements for teaching English in Colombia 

What requirements do you need to meet to teach English abroad in Colombia? 

If you can speak Spanish at any level, it's a considerable help. Even basic Spanish phrases will help teachers find jobs more readily.

  • Getting a work visa as a teacher in Colombia depends on receiving a firm job offer. There are no specific academic requirements for gaining a visa to teach English in Colombia.
  • Employers in Colombia will require a TEFL certificate (with at least 120 hours of training). TEFL certification is a must for teachers working across the world.
  • Some employers may also need a bachelor’s degree. This is especially true in state schools, private schools, and universities. It doesn't necessarily need to be an English language degree, though some jobs in Colombia may specify it.
  • Having further TEFL qualifications, like an advanced TEFL certificate in Business English or English for Academic Purposes is very useful.
  • Like other countries in South America, Colombia is an excellent place to find teaching jobs abroad without experience. Similar to Chile and Ecuador, enthusiasm and qualifications go a long way. 
  • However, it is more challenging to find work teaching English as a non-native speaker. You should be able to find work if you have an IELTS or TOEFL certificate or a degree from an English-speaking university. Employers may explicitly ask for a native English speaker to fill vacancies.

Salary

What kind of salary can you earn teaching abroad in Colombia? Typically, full-time English teaching jobs in Colombia pay between COL$3.4 million and COL$4.2 million (£667-£822/$848-$1,035).

Typically, only teaching jobs in private education come with additional benefits. These benefits can include paid vacation time and health insurance. Employers will usually help you with your work visa in terms of financial support, administrative support, or both. Sometimes, accommodation may be offered to foreign teachers at a discount or entirely for free, though the latter is rare for teaching jobs in Colombia. Again, this is usually only the case in private school jobs or international schools.

Admittedly, if you're looking to save money, teaching jobs in Colombia aren't likely to make you wealthy. However, TEFL teachers will find that they can teach English in Colombia and live reasonably well, based on the average salary.

Country Avg. monthly salary Degree required Start of term Teaching experience Housing & flights included Suitable for non-native English speakers Age restrictions
Teach in Colombia 4,225,277 COP
£822 GBP
$1,035 USD		 January/February under 62

How to find English teaching jobs in Colombia 

Considering a move to Colombia to teach English? While the demand for English teachers is high, finding the correct position requires research, thought and some hard work. Here’s how you can find great teaching jobs in Colombia.

Offline

Traditional job search methods remain highly effective while teaching in Colombia. A crucial first step is directly contacting local language schools and universities with your resume. Yes - teachers do turn up at schools and find jobs in the old-fashioned way. This is more common in major metropolitan areas, like the capital city, Bogota, but it's something you can do across Colombia.

Using your existing network is also important while teaching in Colombia. Inform your Colombian acquaintances of your job search. Their professional and social connections may present unexpected opportunities. Believe us when we tell you that word of mouth can be extremely valuable in Latin America.

Jobs boards  

If you want to teach English in Colombia, check out The TEFL Org Jobs Centre for teaching jobs there, online and across the world!

Berlitz has a range of opportunities for TEFL-certified teachers seeking work in Colombia. 

Darlington English prefers ESL teachers who are already in Colombia and have completed one or more TEFL courses. Contracts are for two years at one of their five branches, teaching English immersion to adults or Business English.

Minga Teachers features a variety of teaching jobs in Colombia, with salaries ranging from 3 to 5 million pesos per month.  To teach English in Colombia through the Universidad Del Norte, you need to be a native speaker with a master’s degree in Linguistics, Education, English, or other related areas, a TEFL certificate, and experience gained outside the USA.

Read our Colombia Country Guide for info about salaries, living costs & requirements

Colombia Country Guide

Teaching programmes in Colombia 

The YMCA runs a “COLead3rs” programme for teaching and travel across Colombia. You must be between 21 and 39, have graduated from a technical school, college, or university, have C1-level English, and have some experience teaching teens.

TheBritish Council, with their partner organisation ICETEX, sends TEFL teachers into Colombian schools as Language Teaching Assistants (LTAs).

The Nuluka Programme helps connect teachers with rural schools around Colombia.

International Volunteer HQ is one of Colombia's most popular volunteer teaching programmes. Programmes start at $355, with accommodation and meals provided. The English Teaching Fellowship Programme was founded by the Colombian National Ministry of Education. Applicants must be 21-55 years old, fluent English speakers, degree holders, and holders of TEFL certification.

Challenges and tips for success 

Adjusting to the Colombian lifestyle can require some time. The country has had to overcome decades of violence and still faces issues. Depending on where you are, it’s crucial to exercise caution. That said, the same is true for anywhere in the world, and it’s possible to be open-minded and excited while also being mindful of the dangers of a particular country.

As an English teacher, there’s plenty of scope to make a difference in Colombia. English teachers are in high demand, and that’s largely due to Colombia’s relatively low levels of proficiency in English. Colombians are eager to practice their English where possible in a Spanish-speaking country, but you’ll need at least some Spanish knowledge to overcome the language barrier.

Immersing yourself in Colombian culture, speaking to local people, and engaging with your students will help you settle more quickly. Networking is very helpful - Colombia offers plenty of opportunities for TEFL teachers to meet up and join communities, so it’s possible to enjoy home comforts, make English-speaking friends, and the best of authentic Colombian culture.

Related articles for teaching English in Colombia

 

Teach English in Colombia

Colombia used to be branded as a no-go area for TEFL teachers due to the dangers involved with travelling and living there. However, since a peace agreement in 2016, Colombia has started to shake off its previous reputation, and those wanting to teach English abroad have been flocking there in ever greater numbers.

Read More

English teaching jobs available in Colombia

Unfortunately we don't currently have any jobs available in colombia. We update our job centre daily so check back soon!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. Are English teachers in demand in Colombia?

    Yes, English teachers are in demand across Colombia. Colombia has ambitions of establishing bilingual education as the norm, but the country's levels of English proficiency are low.

  • Q. How much do you make teaching English in Colombia?

    English teachers in Colombia can earn salaries of around COL$3.4 million - COL$4.2 million (£667-£822/$848-$1,035).

  • Q. Which country has the highest demand for English teachers?

    China has the world's highest number of English learners and, therefore, the highest demand for English teachers. However, Latin America, South America, and much of Asia also greatly demand TEFL teachers.

  • Q. How much do international school teachers make in Colombia?

    Teachers working in private international schools can make excellent salaries in Colombia, usually around £1,000- £1,145/£1,308-$1,500 monthly. With a low cost of living, these salaries are high by Colombian standards.