COUNTRY GUIDES: ARGENTINA

Argentina is a composite of picture postcard images. There are the imposing Andean peaks, grassy plains of the Pampas, the Iguazú waterfalls, and huge glaciers to contend with. For all its natural beauty its soul lies in its people who hail from across the globe thanks to the swathe of migration during the 19th century. Buenos Aires lies at the country's core, home to almost half of the country's population, and has strong French, Italian and Spanish influences.

Buenos Aires’ bustle contrasts sharply with the sprawling barrenness of Patagonia and the expansive plains of Pampas, that both give a different slice of Argentine life. Patagonia has its Welsh-speaking communities, while the Pampas region is home to Argentina's cowboys, known as gauchos. It's perhaps no accident that the country gave rise to two of the 20th century's most enigmatic political characters, Che Guevara and Eva Perón.

TEFL in Argentina (Contracts, Salary, Work)

• Demand for Teachers

• Main TEFL Regions

• Busiest TEFL Periods

• Contract Lengths

• Types of Teaching

• Accommodation

• Flight Reimbursement

• Currency

• Salary

• Taxes

• Cost of Living

• Potential to Save Money

• How Much TEFL Training is Recommended?

• Common teaching conditions

Finding Work

• How to find work

• Can I find work in-country?

• What is the Usual Hiring Process?

Work Visas

• Is a work visa needed to find paid work?

• Work Visa Requirements

Why choose Argentina?

Be Aware

Before you go

• Read this

• Watch this

A Few Fun Facts

TEFL in Argentina (Contracts, Salary, Work)

Demand for teachers

High

As the country continues to recover from its economic crash, the TEFL market is flourishing.

Main TEFL regions

Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata, Mendoza, Cordoba, Santa Fe, Salta, La Plata

Busiest TEFL periods

March-December. If you’re applying from overseas, October/November is a good time to start arranging interviews for your arrival.

Contract lengths

Usually 9-12 months

Types of teaching

• In-company: General English, Business English

• Language institutes (culturas): General & Business English

Accommodation

You will usually have to arrange accommodation yourself. Unless you want to pay tourist prices, many rental agencies will request a local guarantor, but this is almost impossible when you first arrive. You can get around this by finding house-shares with other teachers, in which case you’ll pay about 750 Pesos (€178) per month.

Flight reimbursement

It’s rare but if you don’t ask, you won’t get!

Currency

Argentinean Pesos (ARS)

Symbol: $

Salary

Pay ranges from 15-20 Pesos per hour, which translates to 1,500-2,000 Pesos (€357 - €471) each month.

Pay is commensurate with your qualifications and experience.

Taxes

On a teacher’s salary, you’ll pay about 11-13% of your earnings as income tax.

Cost of living

Your apartment will be by far your biggest expense as, other than that, the cost of living is low.

Bus fares cost less than €0.15 within city limits, a bottle of beer is about €0.70 and one of the famous steaks starts at €2.50

Potential to save money

If you get a well-paid job, you should be able to save enough money to travel around Argentina in your spare time, but you won’t be taking much back home with you.

How much TEFL training is recommended?

It’s possible to get a job here without either a degree or a TEFL certificate. However, you’ll seriously dent your earning potential by not having a recognized TEFL qualification, such as those offered by us.

Common teaching conditions

If you can get a full-time contract, you’ll be teaching for 25 hours per week. However, it can be difficult to get enough hours and you may end up working for more than one school.

Many schools work on a split-shift pattern, with classes early in the morning and later in the evening, so you’ll have lots of spare time during the day.

Finding Work

How do I find work?

A few of the big chain schools, such as International House, have branches in Argentina; while Dave’s ESL Café has a good list of schools in the country. A quick Google search should find quite a few more.

Most schools will only arrange an interview for your arrival in-country.

Can I find work while in-country?

This is the best option simply because so many other teachers do the same. Although it does happen, it’s rare for a school to offer you a job over the phone when there are so many native English speakers in country. You could either compile a list of language schools before you leave home, look in the Buenos Aires Herald, or ask around one you’ve arrived.

What is the usual hiring process?

Some of the bigger schools conduct interviews in English-speaking countries, but most will take place in Argentina upon your arrival.

Work Visas

Is a work visa required to find paid work in Argentina?

Yes, but most teachers work on visitor’s visa then leave and re-enter the country every three months. If you do want a work visa, you’ll have to set up a job before you leave home and get your employer to arrange it for you.

Work Visa requirements:

• Job offer

• Certificate of good conduct from your country’s police

• Birth certificate

Why Choose Argentina?

• Beautiful country

• Wonderful mix of Latin America and Europe

• No degree necessary

• Lots of jobs

Be Aware…

Although it’s a much safer country than we’re often led to believe, be careful in certain areas (La Boca, Constitucion, Av Florida) late at night.

Before you go

Read this…

Sultry Moon by Mempo Giardinelli – excellent mystery about an Argentine man who returns to his homeland only to be accused of rape and murder.

Watch this…

The Motorcycle Diaries – well-told, inspirational story of Che Guevara’s journey through South America with his best friend.

A Few Fun Facts

• The Rio de la Plata is claimed to be the world’s widest river, measuring an astonishing 220km across at its widest point!

• The President and Vice President are required by law to be Roman Catholic

• Argentina means “Land of Silver”.

• The Tango dance comes from Argentina and originally referred to a meeting place for freed African slaves.