Honduras

Honduras is a diverse Central American nation known for its Caribbean coastline, mountainous terrain, and vibrant culture. It shares borders with Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua while also boasting coastlines along the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The country’s landscapes range from tropical rainforests to picturesque beaches, making it an attractive destination for nature lovers and adventurers. Climate & Geography Honduras has a tropical climate with a distinct dry season from November to April and a rainy season from May to October. Coastal areas remain warm year-round, while highland regions like Tegucigalpa experience cooler temperatures. The Bay Islands, home to the second-largest coral reef system in the world, are a popular destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. History The ancient Maya ruins of Copán provide a glimpse into one of the most advanced civilizations of pre-Columbian America. Honduran culture is a blend of indigenous, African, and Spanish influences, reflected in its music, traditions, and cuisine. Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken in the Bay Islands due to British historical influence. Culture Local cuisine includes staples like corn tortillas, plantains, and beans, with popular dishes such as baleadas (flour tortillas with beans, cheese, and cream) and sopa de caracol (conch soup). Visiting local markets and taking a cooking class are great ways to experience authentic Honduran flavors. While Honduras o…

Each country has its own 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 Honduras. Education A bachelor’s degree is not required to teach in Honduras, but is preferred by employers. Those who do not have a bachelor’s degree will still have options to teach in Honduras. Citizenship There are no specific citizenship requirements to teach English in Honduras, though some employers typically prefer to hire citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. English Fluency If you are not a citizen of one of the above countries, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a near-native level to be considered for English teaching jobs. Background Check A clean background check is not necessary to teach in Honduras on a tourist visa (most English teachers work on a tourist visa in Honduras – more information in the Applying for the Visa section). TEFL Certificate A TEFL certificate is highly advantageous for all positions and may be required by individual schools. Age Teachers of all ages can find opportunities in Honduras, though teachers over the age of 60, which is the national retireme…

The ESL job market in Honduras is still developing. However, like many other countries in the region, its growing tourism industry is contributing to economic stability and increasing the demand for English instruction. As a result, more private language schools are opening and seeking native English speakers. However, the demand for paid teachers is not as strong as in other Central American countries like Costa Rica or Panama. Plan to focus your job search in Honduras’ larger cities for the best opportunities. Tegucigalpa, the capital and largest city, offers the biggest job market, but San Pedro Sula, a major economic hub, and La Ceiba, a popular coastal destination, may also have available positions. 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. Most TEFL-certified English teachers will find jobs at private language schools in Honduras, teaching mainly business professionals and adult students. Many school-aged students will attend private English 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 public schools or international schools, private language schools specialize solely in the teaching of foreign languages. Class sizes at private …

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 Honduras, 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 Honduras 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. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Resume and Cover Letter section! 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 for your daily routines and surroundings? Would you like to live in the vibrant city of Tegucigalpa, with its dynamic energy? Or do you envision a more laid…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Honduras 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 & Severance The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Honduras is 10,000 – 15,000 Honduran Lempira (HNL) 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. Upon the successful completion of a full teaching contract, some employers might offer a completion or re-signing bonus. Not all schools will offer this perk and some schools will determine your bonus amount via a performance review. You’ll want to make sure that any bonus details are clearly stipulated i…

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 Honduras and then take a look at the required documents for a tourist visa. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Honduras consulate or embassy to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Visa Types Tourist Visa What is it? A tourist visa allows you to stay in Honduras temporarily for purposes of rest or recreation for up to 90 days for most nationalities. The majority of English teachers work in Honduras on a tourist visa, especially if they are working in a private language school. Many English teachers in Honduras 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, in Honduras it’s a fairly standard routine for schools and teachers. How do you get one? First, check whether your citizenship allows you to enter Honduras visa-free, or if you need to apply for a tourist visa in advance of arriving in Honduras. If you need to apply for your tourist visa in advance, you’ll have to submit a visa application form — as well as any other required application documents such as your passpo…

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 (very rare in Honduras), it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. Honduras’s public healthcare system is universal and free for residents, but tourists are only allowed to utilize it in the case of emergencies. Thus, you’ll likely want to look into private health insurance options before traveling to Honduras, and do your own research in order to determine 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 ab…

You have finally made it to the end of the Honduras 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 Honduras. 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 Honduras to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Use these timelines to nail down your plan of attack, and remember that the peak hiring season for English teachers in Honduras is April – August. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. Finding a Job on the Ground The peak hiring season for English teachers in Honduras is April – August. If you are looking to secure a job on the ground in Honduras, you will want to be there during one of these months. Avoid applying to jobs in Honduras in late December to early February, as well as the Easter holiday, as most schools will be closed for the holidays. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. 4-6 months before departure: Begin your research ___List out your preferences and priorities. ___Chat and network with ITA alumni . ___Read through ITA’s resources, watch a Student Affairs webinar . ___Read about Honduran culture. ___Reach out to your Student Aff…

DO IT! It's only a year of your life and the experiences you'll have, along with the people you'll meet are priceless. Plus, it's a cool story to tell people when you return to your motherland. Degen H. ITA Alum Do it. You only live once so why not go outside your comfort zone and try something new. If you do not like it you can always go back. I do not regret my decision at all. But once you start, give yourself a few months to really settle. The first two months teaching, I would describe as a transition period if this is your first teaching experience. Once you get the hang of your students, your teaching approach and lesson planning everything is pretty laid back and fun! But the first two months can be stressful adjusting. Overall, DO IT! Nicky I. ITA Alum