Chile Occupying a long and narrow coastal strip between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean,
the picturesque republic of Chile is a country of marvelous contrasts and extreme natural beauty.
Chile is on the leading edge of the push for English fluency in Latin America. In an innovative move to increase English competency among its youth, for example, the Chilean government has been placing native speaking teachers in classrooms around the country through its English Opens Doors program. While language skills are important throughout the nation, nowhere is the need for English more apparent than in the business world. A prime source of TEFL jobs in Chile is private and group classes for company employees and executives. Because Santiago is Chile’s economic, political, and cultural center, the majority of English teaching positions will be found in and around the capital. Your students will generally be adults and professionals who need to know English for their careers, their travels, and their personal growth.
Chile TEFL Facts:
Your English Students •Adults
Best Time to Get Hired •March – August
Typical Start Dates • March – August
Length of Commitment • 6- to 12-month contracts
Typical Teaching Schedules •Full-time and part-time schedules available
Average Pay •$500 - $900 USD per month
Average Cost of Living •$500 - $800 USD per month depending on lifestyle
Requirements •Bachelor’s degree •TEFL certification (see recommended courses above) •Native speaker of English
•Pass a basic training program, onsite
Placement Fee • FREE!
Benefits may include
• Visa assistance
• Free Spanish lessons
• In-country orientation
• Travel stipend for off-site classes
• Reimbursement of Emergency Travel Insurance
• Reimbursement of airport pick up
Chile Overview
Chile is a land of extraordinary extremes and stunning natural beauty. The country boasts over 2,700 miles (4,300km) of coastline and encompasses a wide variety of geography. Chile is bounded by the Andes Mountains to the east, the Atacama Desert to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Patagonia region to the south. Journeying from the lush vineyards of central Chile to the snowcapped volcanoes of the south, you’ll find it hard to believe that all this variety—and all this beauty—can be found in one place.
Against this striking natural backdrop exists one of the most stable economies in South America. Chile has one of the lowest rates of unemployment on the continent, and in recent years has negotiated free-trade agreements with nations worldwide. The country’s dependable financial system, modern facilities and general receptivity to foreigners make it a great place to teach English.
Volunteer! Short-Term
English Teaching Opportunities Learn More
Notes from the Field
David Tompkins Teaching in Santiago, Chile
“I always wanted the adventure of living and working in a foreign country as a means of meeting some of my global neighbors. My favorite thing about teaching English as a second language in Santiago, Chile has been getting to know the students. Through BridgeTEFL, I have had the opportunity to teach some of the best and brightest executives in the world. At a time in my life when my earlier careers had begun to seem old and stale, my adventure teaching English has re-invigorated my life and given me a fresh perspective on the modern world.
“By working here in Santiago I have come to know the country as a resident and not just as a tourist. Though I entered this adventure with some apprehension, after teaching here for over a year, I know that I made the right choice for a new career. It has been a rewarding time in many ways and I feel proud that I have lived up to the challenge of living successfully in a different culture and learning to speak the local language. When I look back I can’t imagine not having taken this step in my life.”
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Chile at a Glance
Capital:Santiago Population:16,136,000 Currency:Chilean Peso Language(s):Spanish Literacy Rate:96% Life Expectancy:76 years
Chile Fun Facts
• Chile is home to the driest place on earth—the Atacama Desert. •In 2006, Chile elected Michelle Bachelet, only the second woman elected president in South America. •Easter Island is part of Chile even though it is located in Polynesia, over 2,200 miles (3,600 km) away. •Chile’s Juan Fernandez Island inspired the famous novel Robinson Crusoe. •Chile was the last country in the Americas to be occupied by the Spanish.
Regions & Weather
Most of the country’s population lives in Central Chile, which has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, moderately wet winters. Frost and snow occasionally occur inland, but are rare on the coast. In Santiago, average temperatures range from 58ºF (14°C) in June to
85ºF (29°C) in January. Northern Chile is a desert and one of the world’s driest regions with cloudy and cool weather patterns. The southern part of the country is rugged and densely forested with a chilly, wet, changeable climate. Most of the rest of Chile has a mountain climate with perpetual snow and glaciers in higher areas.