Argentina

Located on the southern tip of South America is Argentina, the second-largest country on the continent. Known for its abundance of silver while also boasting the nickname, “river of silver,” Argentina's name fittingly stems from argentum , the Latin word for the element of silver..  “ En union y libertad ” meaning “in union and in liberty” is the nation’s motto which refers to the unity of its 23 provinces and one autonomous city, Buenos Aires. Despite its varied languages (there are at least 40!), regions and cultures, Argentina is a unified booming country that has a deep and rich history. Climate & Landscape Argentina is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, covering an area of 1.074 million mi²! This vast geographical area can be divided into four regions: the Andes, the North, the Pampas and Patagonia. Depending on which region you decide to live in, the climate could vary drastically from below freezing to extreme heat or a more temperate ambiance. Economy The Argentine economy is one of the largest in Latin America thanks to its many natural resources including fertile lands, gas and lithium reserves, agriculture, and the potential for renewable energy. As large as the economy may be, high inflation, economic crises, and a growing external global debt have been significant contributors to Argentina’s past and present.. The country has also seen its share of political unrest with several military coups occupying the country at various points in time althoug…

Each country has its own unique requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Argentina. Education A bachelor’s degree is not required to teach in Argentina, but it is preferred by employers. Those who do not have a bachelor’s degree will still have options to teach in Argentina. Citizenship There are no specific citizenship requirements to teach English in Argentina. English Fluency Argentina, like many countries in Latin America, is a good teaching market for teachers whose first language is not English. However, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a near-native level to be considered for English teaching jobs. You may also need to be more flexible about your school and location preferences to compete with native English-speaking candidates. Nevertheless, non-native speakers of English qualify for teaching positions in Argentina. Background Check A clean background check is not necessary to teach in Argentina, unless you are a citizen of a country which requires you to apply for your tourist visa in advance. Be sure to check with your local Argentina consulate or embassy page here . Medical Check A medical check is not requ…

Argentina’s strong demand for teachers stems from its tourism sector where many international businesses, restaurants, tour guide companies and hotels seek English speaking employees to accommodate their global clients. Because of this, there are ample opportunities to teach English to Argentinian business students. ESL teachers typically make around 30-35 Argentine Pesos (ARS) an hour . It is also common for English language professionals to tutor individual students on the side to make more money. In Argentina, you can secure English teaching positions in private language schools, as a tutor, or in public schools via the government-run program Fulbright . Private Language Schools For the most part, jobs at private language schools in Argentina will be centered in larger cities such as Buenos Aires, though you’ll certainly be able to find positions scattered throughout smaller Argentinian cities like Cordoba, Mendoza, or Rosario. The majority of your coworkers will be other foreign English speakers and you could work with a wide array of students, from young children to teenagers to adults. Many ESL teachers also spend a lot of their time traveling around the city or town  to their different jobs as most work at two different schools to support their lifestyle. As a teacher at a private language school, you should expect your hours to be concentrated in the afternoon and evening to accommodate students coming directly from public school or work — you might even have to teach…

Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the English teaching market in Argentina, it’s time to start the application process. There are several steps you’ll need to take to start the application process for Argentina. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa will overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Teaching in Argentina Timeline , as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on track with your documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are key to connecting with employers and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards and proofread both documents, submit your drafts to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Some potential questions to consider: Do you want to live in a more temperate climate with the bustling backdrop of a big city? Check out Buenos Aires! Is it your dream to wake up in a place full of stunning 17th-century architecture? Cordoba could ju…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Argentina and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you . To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Argentina is 60,200 – 110,300 Argentine Pesos (ARS) per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like you’ll be in a rural location with a low cost of living or working longer than average hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching English in Argentina can be a part-time or full-time gig, though the latter is more common. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week (typically 25-35 hours) to consider. Will you have to work in the morning for a few hours and then come back for more in the ev…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this process like a pro. Below, we’ll outline the most common visa routes for foreign English teachers in Argentina, and then dive into a deeper look at the required documents for temporary residence permits there. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Argentina consulate or embassy to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! ITA grad, Todd R. , taught in Buenos Aires and says “ I entered with a 90-day tourist visa . I actually love this because I have to exit the country every 90 days. What a wonderful way to ensure that I travel around South America. I’ve traveled to Peru, Chile and Brazil to renew my visa.” Visa Types Tourist Visa First, figure out which visa you are eligible for: The most common visa for teaching English in Argentina is a tourist visa . What is it? Many English teachers in Argentina are hired by an employer “under the table” on a tourist visa. Though this might sound like a slightly questionable practice if you’re unfamiliar with it, this is a fairly standard routine for schools and teachers in Argentina. How do you get one? You will receive a stamp in your passport upon entry to Argentina that allows you to stay in the country for 90 days. No actual document/visa…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance If you are working under the table on a tourist visa, health insurance is typically not provided to you by your school. If this is the case or if you want to supplement your public health insurance with a more comprehensive private insurance option, you will want to do your own research in order to determine which plan might be the best fit for you, your health needs, and any dependents you might be bringing along. With so many insurance options to choose from, picking out a good provider can be daunting for some teachers. One easy hack? Check out this article about insurance options abroad, and use the ITA Argentina Alumni Group to connect with past ITA teachers who have taught or are teaching in Argentina, and ask them which providers they recommend. Savings & Banking In Argentina, it may take up to four weeks before you receive your first paycheck. Therefore, you’ll want to plan accordingly! We recommend having anywhere between 150,500 to 250,800 Argentine Pesos (ARS) in your b…

You have finally made it to the end of the Argentina section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Argentina. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Argentina to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job on the Ground The peak hiring season for English teaching jobs in Argentina is February through March and July through August, so plan to arrive in Argentina during one of these months. Hiring slows to a halt from late December through early January during the winter holidays and Carnaval. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible . 4 months before departure: Begin your research ___ Decide which schools you might want to apply to using our Argentina School Finder ___ List out your preferences and priorities ___ Chat with ITA alumni , read about alumni experiences , and watch Instagram takeovers in Argentina ___ Ensure your passport will be valid six months past your anticipated return date or order a new passport __   Read through ITA’s resources, and watch a Student Affairs webinar ___ Read about Argentina and Argentine culture, etc. ___ Start saving up so y…

I have one 10-year-old elementary student, but all the rest are adults at various English learning levels. I really enjoy the challenge, and teaching adults is my favorite thing. My students are honestly so lovely, and classes are fun. I'm also learning a thing or two about business, since many of my classes are Business-English focused. In terms of saving, am just breaking even - but I do spend quite a bit on Spanish and dancing lessons on top of the ordinary monthly expenses, so I am a bad example. There's no official vacation time, but I'm working 'under the table', so there is flexibility when it comes to taking (unpaid) leave. Mikhaila S. Buenos Aires, Argentina The experiences that Buenos Aires brings you are absolutely one-of-a-kind. There’s an abundance of art and culture, amazing nightlife, great food and the people here are the most warm and friendly you will ever meet. Its large community of expats will make you feel right at home, and there are plenty of other English teachers that you’ll be able to share ideas with and gain some mutual support. All in all, I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to do what I love in such an incredible place. Yes, I’m teaching, but I’m also learning and gaining valuable experiences every step of the way. Rebecca S. Buenos Aires, Argentina While the personal life in Buenos Aires is fun, we must not forget our work life! What a lovely place teaching in Argentina is. The students here are dedicated, fun, engaging, conversational and …