TEACH ENGLISH IN ARGENTINA

Everything you need to know to get a job teaching English in Argentina.

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About Teaching English in Argentina

To teach English in Argentina, you will need a TEFL certificate. A 4-year college degree isn't required but is strongly preferred. Native English proficiency is also expected to find a TEFL job. The average salary for an English teacher in Argentina is about $600 - $1,100 USD per month.

Argentina has always been one of the largest job markets for teaching English in South America.  English teachers in Argentina typically find work February through March and again in July and August. English teachers are expected to interview in person, and they are also responsible for airfare and housing costs. 

Though wages are not high, English teachers can afford a comfortable lifestyle in Argentina based on the relatively low cost of living. English language schools typically offer approximately 20 to 25 hours of work per week, leaving plenty of time to travel, and explore all that Argentina has to offer.  

a group of English teachers in Argentina a group of ESL teachers in Argentina


It is not common to obtain a work visa in Argentina.  English teachers typically work under the table on a tourist visa.  This is common practice, but it is technically not a legal work visa.  Should you choose to work under the table it is your responsibility to be informed of the potential consequences of working on a tourist visa. Many English teachers in Argentina also teach English online and/or take on private students to make extra money for travel. 

Most available English teaching positions are in the major cities of Buenos Aires, Rosario, Mendoza, Cordoba, Tucuman, Bariloche, and Mar del Plata.

How to Teach English in Argentina: Requirements

TEFL Certification for Argentina

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Argentina. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired. 

Teachers typically interview in person in Argentina. Therefore, it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below.

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Argentina, however, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs. Citizenship from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa is typically preferred but not always required.

Degree Requirements for Argentina

While a bachelor's degree is not required to secure a job in Argentina, it still can be strongly preferred by employers. If you do not have a degree, you should be prepared for a more competitive job search.

Read More: What are the Basic Requirements for Teaching English in Argentina?

How to Find English Teacher Jobs in Argentina

TEFL Jobs in Argentina

The most common teaching jobs in Argentina consist of:

  • Teaching adults in English language schools.
  • Private tutoring adults.
  • Teaching Business English to adults.
  • Teaching English Online.

English Teaching Jobs in Argentina: Hiring & Visa

English teachers in Argentina can expect to find jobs during the peak hiring months, February-March & July - August. 

Teachers in Argentina typically teach on a tourist visa. For American English teachers, no paperwork is required to get this tourist visa, it is just a stamp in your passport that you get upon arrival in Argentina. That stamp in your passport means gives you 90 days to work. Teachers then do what we call border hop, or leave Argentina and visit a neighboring country to "renew" their tourist visa and get a fresh set of 90 days. 

For example, if you're teaching English in Buenos Aires, Argentina, many teachers will cross the border into Uruguay for a weekend excursion, or even just for lunch, then head back home to Argentina with a fresh 90 days on his/her tourist visa.

While it may seem to be a bit of an inconvenience, many view this as an opportunity to travel and explore nearby countries!  

Read More: What Type of Visa Can I Use to Teach English in Argentina?

TEFL Argentina Jobs: Hours

English language schools in Argentina offer approximately 20 to 25 hours of classroom work per week plus additional hours for prep time. This allows for plenty of time to travel and explore. 

Teaching Argentinian Students

It is most common that your students will be adults and business professionals. 

Teaching English in Argentina Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $1,500 - $2,500 USD. These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Argentina until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like rent, apartment supplies, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 

English Teacher Salary in Argentina

A solid hourly wage enables teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Argentina. English teachers in Argentina can expect to make $600 - $1,100 USD per month. It is common for teachers in Argentina to also teach English online to supplement their income.

There are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided so you will need to remember to account for accommodation or temporary housing for your first few weeks in your start-up costs until you find an apartment to rent.

Read more: How much can English teachers make in Argentina?

Cost of Living & Savings

The cost of living typically ranges between $800-$1,200 USD per month.

English teachers in Argentina can expect to break even month after month. This means you can cover your rent and bills, support yourself, live comfortably, and enjoy your life abroad to the fullest, but you shouldn't expect to save money at the end of the month. If you are hustling and taking on private tutoring lessons and/or teaching English online in addition to your regular teaching schedule, you may increase your ability to save.

 

What Does Teaching in Argentina Look Like?

Watch ITA alumna Adrienne Glenn show us a day in her life living and teaching English in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Want more? We've got you covered! Visit our Video Library to watch day-in-the-life videos from our alumni and get a glimpse into what your life as an English teacher in Argentina and Latin America could look like!

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Teaching English in Argentina FAQs

Do I need a degree to teach English in Argentina?

To teach English in Argentina, it's important to understand what is and is not required:

Required:

  • A TEFL certification
  • Knowing the types of English teaching jobs that are available in Argentina.
  • Savings for start-up costs

Not Required:

  • A four-year college degree is not required to get hired in Argentina, however, it is still strongly preferred by employers. If you do not have a degree, you should be prepared for a more competitive job search.
  • You do not need to be a native English speaker, but you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs. Citizenship from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa is typically preferred but not always required.

Read More: What are the Basic Requirements for Teaching English in Argentina?

How much money can I make teaching English in Argentina?

The average salary for English teachers in Argentina is $600 - $1,100 USD per month. Argentina is a break-even market, meaning you earn enough to live comfortably and pay for your basic living expenses like food, rent, and transportation. 

It's common for teachers in Argentina to teach English online or private tutor to boost their income. 

Read More: How much money can I earn teaching English in Argentina?

What type of visa can I use to teach English in Argentina?

Teachers most commonly teach on a tourist visa in Argentina, which is really just a stamp in your passport. When you arrive in Argentina, you'll get a stamp in your passport and this is your tourist visa. 

Typically this tourist visa is good for 90 days and then you'll have to leave the country or "border hop" to renew the visa and get an additional 90 days. This may sound like an inconvenience but many teachers view it as a great opportunity to take additional trips!

Read More: What Type of Visa Can I Use to Teach English in Argentina?

Are English teachers in demand in Argentina?

Argentina has always been one of the largest job markets for teaching English in South America. English teachers in Argentina typically find work from February through March and again in July and August. 

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Reviews From ITA Students Who Now Experience TEFL in Argentina

Mikhaila Steenkamp

Teaches English in Argentina

Mikhaila Steenkamp

I really enjoyed the course! I was worried that there would be a lot of overlap between my Post-Graduate Certificate in Education and my TEFL course, but I actually found it so valuable and practical. Emily Ricklefs was my instructor, and she gave me such great in-depth feedback and was supportive, approachable, and understanding.

Adrienne Glenn

Taught English in Argentina

Adrienne Glenn

I often read that Buenos Aires is the Paris of South America. I disagree. It is the New York City of South America. The hustle, the bustle, the extremes, the constant construction, the strange experiences you have on the subway… it all points me more to the feel of The Big Apple than The City of Lights. 

Todd Ritz

Taught English Argentina

Todd Ritz

When I first arrived, I hustled. I walked around the city with resume in hand and would go into different schools. I searched online and asked friends if they had any leads. I currently have four jobs; teaching online, working at brewery, working at a language institute, and private classes. I started teaching English online before arriving to Buenos Aires.