TEACH ENGLISH IN PANAMA

About Teaching English in Panama

In order to teach English in Panama, you will need a TEFL certificate. A 4-year college degree is preferred but not required. Native English proficiency is also expected to find a TEFL job. The average salary for an English teacher in Panama is about $900 - $1,300 USD per month.

The heavy tourism and development of other resort destinations are pleasantly absent in Panama. With seemingly endless beaches, rainforests, and mountains to explore, it is easy to fall in love with this country. 

Jobs for English teachers in Panama are typically found in February through March and again in July and August. English teachers should expect to interview in person and are responsible for airfare and housing costs. Most English teachers live in apartments recently vacated by previous teachers, and many share an apartment with coworkers.

A solid hourly wage affords English teachers the ability to live a comfortable lifestyle. Schools typically offer around 20 to 25 hours of work per week, leaving plenty of time to travel and explore. Most teachers supplement their income by teaching English online or through private tutoring.

How to Teach English in Panama: Requirements

TEFL Certification for Panama

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

English teachers in Panama typically interview in-person in Panama. 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 Panama, 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 Panama

While a bachelor's degree is not required to secure a job in Panama, 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.

How to Find English Teaching Jobs in Panama

English Teacher Jobs in Panama

The most common teaching jobs in Panama consist of:

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

TEFL Jobs Panama: Hiring & Visa

English teachers in Panama can expect to find jobs during the peak hiring seasons of February-March and again in July-August. While there are some opportunities to interview in advance over the phone and via e-mail, most English teachers interview on the ground, in person.

It's most common for English teachers to teach on tourist visas. Depending on your citizenship, your tourist visas will need to be renewed every 90-180 days. 

TEFL Panama: Hours

English language schools in Panama 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 Panamanian Students

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

Panama Teacher Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $1,350 - $2,000 USD. These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Panama 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. 

How Much Does a Teacher Make in Panama?

A solid hourly wage enables English teachers in Panama the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle. Teachers can expect to earn $900 - $1,300 USD per month. It is common for teachers in Panama 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. 

TEFL Panama: Cost of Living & Savings

The cost of living typically ranges between $900-$1,300 USD per month.

English teachers in Panama can expect to break-even month over 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.