Dominican Republic

With its miles upon miles of white sand beaches, groves of swaying palms, and crystalline waters of the Caribbean Sea as far as the eye can see, the Dominican Republic is tough to top. Home to 10.72 million people, the Dominican Republic is the second largest country in the Caribbean after Cuba. It shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and encompasses 48,442 square kilometers of pristine coastline, semi-desert plains, azure lagoons, and mountains blanketed in lush emerald forests. In 2018, the country’s Ministry of Tourism launched a campaign highlighting the motif of “Smiles” throughout the island, and in doing so neatly captured the expression that illuminates the faces of all those who visit the Dominican Republic. Whether you’re in the lively capital of Santo Domingo or the tranquil resort town of Cabarete, the nonstop merengue, warmth, and hospitality of this mesmerizing Caribbean nation is certain to bring a smile to your face. History By the time Christopher Colombus and his Spanish crew arrived on the island in 1492, Hispaniola had long been inhabited by the Carib and Taino people who sustained themselves on robust local economies of farming, fishing, hunting, and gathering. Spain quickly declared the island of Hispaniola a Spanish colony not long after Colombus’ arrival, and Santo Domingo in effect became the first official settlement of the New World. In the years that followed, Spanish colonizers enslaved and exploited the local population, decimating thousand…

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 the Dominican Republic. Education A bachelor’s degree is not required to teach in the Dominican Republic, but it is preferred by employers. Those who do not have a bachelor’s degree will still have options to teach in the Dominican Republic. Citizenship There are no specific citizenship requirements to teach English in the Dominican Republic, though some employers might prefer to hire citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. If you are not a citizen of one of these countries, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs. English Fluency The Dominican Republic, like many countries in Latin America, is a good teaching market for teachers whose first language is not English. That being said, you’ll still need to have a high fluency in English, and you might 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…

Although there are some ESL teaching positions available in the Dominican Republic, the island does not present the strongest market for English teachers in Latin America. Many Dominicans already speak the English language in order to communicate with the influx of tourists that flock to the country each year for vacation. In addition, relatively low salaries throughout the island make it difficult for teachers to earn a steady, sustainable living. English teaching jobs are most commonly found in densely-populated cities like Santo Domingo and Santiago. The majority of foreign English instructors in the Dominican Republic teach at private language schools, and/or work online or in-person as private tutors. Qualified English instructors bearing a teaching license or master’s degree will also be able to secure positions in international schools. Each of these job types comes with their own specific set of advantages, so you’ll want to understand the basic differences between them before you begin applying. Private Language Schools Private language schools are privately-run and typically for-profit language training centers that can cater to students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Many school-aged students will attend private language schools to supplement their public or private school language education, and adults will often attend private language schools to develop their foreign language competency and thereby advance their professional and career options. Unlike …

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in the Dominican Republic, and we have them all outlined below. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa may overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Dominican Republic Timeline , as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on top of your visa documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools 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, submit your draft 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! Do you have a preference when it comes to your daily routines and surroundings? Do you want to live in the bustling cities of Santo Domingo and Santiago? Or do you crave a picturesque, small town experience? Do you value having greater access to specific types of communi…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in the Dominican Republic 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 the Dominican Republic is 24,700 to 40,000 DOP 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 the Dominican Republic can be a part-time or full-time gig, depending on your school and work preferences. In general, most teachers work around 25-35 hours per week in the Dominican Republic, but there’s more than just the total number of working hours to consider. Will you …

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 the Dominican Republic, and then dive into a deeper look at the required documents for a business visa and residence permit 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 Dominican embassy or consulate to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Visa Types Business Visa for Employment Purposes What is it? A Business Visa for Employment Purposes is issued to foreigners who are travelling to the Dominican Republic for professional or business purposes and who have accepted an offer and signed a fixed-term contract with a Dominican school or employer. How do you get one? First, you’ll want to be in contact with your employer in the Dominican Republic, who will be there to assist you through the process of applying for and obtaining your Business Visa for Employment Purposes. You’ll need to procure the required visa documents (more on those below!), and then apply for this visa type at your local Dominican embassy or consulate. How long is it valid? Your Business Visa for Employment Purposes is typically valid for one year. You can apply to renew it before your original Business Visa fo…

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 Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. Health insurance is rarely included as part of the benefits package in the Dominican Republic. That being the case, you’ll want to look into private international health insurance options before jetting off, and thoroughly research which health insurance plan abroad 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 consult the ITA the Dominican Republic Alumni Group …

You have finally made it to the end of the Dominican Republic 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 the Dominican Republic. This timeline is not only for planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to the Dominican Republic to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance Please keep in mind that finding a job in advance of arriving in the Dominican Republic is certainly possible, though less common than it is to find a job on the ground in the Dominican Republic. Use this timeline to nail down your plan of attack, and remember that jobs in the Dominican Republic can be found year round as there is no one peak hiring season in the country. Just avoid applying to positions from late December to February, as many schools will be closed for the winter holidays and Carnival. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. 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. 4-5 months before departure: Begin your research ___ Read through ITA’s resources, attend Student Affairs webinar ___ List out your preferences and priorities ___ Chat with ITA alumni , read about alumni experiences ___ Rea…

If you want to work here legally, you need to get a work visa or enter on a residency visa and then go through the residency approval process. Very few employers want to hire someone without the proper paperwork, and if they are willing to work with you, they may take advantage of your lack of other options. Also, it is extremely difficult to obtain a visa while in country. Lastly, very few employers like to hire you before you arrive because that means sponsoring your visa which they don't want to do. Ideally, potential employers prefer you to be in-country and with valid residency. Leila T. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Food is cheap, if you eat like the locals. Rent is also cheap compared to the States, but remember the amount of money you bring in will be minimal. I'd say I made between $350 and $750 dollars a month, with perhaps $500-550 dollars a month on average. It's easy to get around, but a bit challenging in a sense. I had experience in the military which made it easier for me, but it is truly not exactly easy. Go with some money and Spanish language skill, and your time will be of higher quality, and easier in general. Bill N. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic