COUNTRY GUIDES: CHILE

Chile has a turbulent history of colonialism, dictatorship and political instability, but is looking to the future with fervor and optimism. Its astounding 3,000-mile coastline covers every terrain imaginable, from forests and mountains to beaches and the mysterious Easter Island, all with a natural beauty that’s hard to beat.

You can experience the driest deserts, Mediterranean heat in Santiago and cool, wet weather in the South, but the warmth of the people will make you welcome whatever the weather.

TEFL in Chile (Contracts, Salary, Work)

Demand for teachers

High.

The Ministry of Education launched the 10-year “English Opens Doors” program in 2003 and with a relatively stable economy, the market for English teachers is flourishing.

Main TEFL regions

The big cities of Santiago, Concepcion, Valaparaiso and Talca, and countless smaller places such as Arica, Punta Arenas, Iquique, and Vina del Mar.

Busiest TEFL periods

Demand for teachers is highest during the academic year of March-December, but most schools recruit from October onwards.

Contract lengths

3 months to 4 years

Types of teaching

• High schools: General English

• Private language schools: General English, Business English

• In-company: General English, Business English

• Private tuition: General English, English for Specific Purposes

Accommodation

Unless you’re volunteering, your employer is unlikely to include accommodation in your contract.

You can find a room in a shared house for €100 - €170 per month, or get your own apartment from €214 plus bills.

Flight reimbursement

The only benefit your employer is likely to offer, if any, is health insurance.

Currency

Chilean Pesos (CLP)

Symbol: $

Salary

Between €420 and €1,400 per month. This depends on your level of experience and where you work: high schools tend to pay less, private institutes pay more, while private lessons are the most lucrative.

Taxes

Income tax is complicated in Chile, as it’s levied on “tax units” which the government revalue every month depending on current prices.

However, at the lower end of the salary range, don’t expect to pay any tax at all; at the higher end you’ll still only pay about 6% tax.

Cost of living

While the cost of living is cheap compared to developed countries, it is relatively expensive for South America. You can still get by cheaply, though: weekly groceries for one person are about €14 and city bus fares are less than a euro, while a budget cell phone will cost about €50.

Potential to save money

This depends on your lifestyle and how many home comforts you need. Once you’re settled in a reasonably-paid job you could save as much as €714 per month.

How much TEFL training is recommended?

There’s lots of competition for jobs here, so you should get a recognized TEFL qualification – such as those available through us - or make sure you have some experience before you arrive.

Common teaching conditions

25 classroom hours is the norm. You’ll struggle to cover your costs with anything less than 15 hours and you may end up working for several schools.

As in most countries, class sizes vary depending on your employer: you could be teaching a few businessmen or a room full of boisterous teenagers!

How do I find work?

ESLemployment.com and TEFL.com are good places to start your job search, or you could speculatively send resumes to the language schools direct.

Can I find work while in-country?

With lots of jobs available, it should be easy to find something when you arrive. There are plenty of big schools in Santiago, and many have branches in smaller towns. Have a look in the Yellow Pages and ask around to find out which are the best employers.

What is the usual hiring process?

It’s the usual process of sending off resumes then going for interviews. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to do a three-month probation before you’re taken on permanently.

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

Yes. Although some teachers simply exit and re-enter the country every ninety days to renew their tourist visa, the best schools will require a work permit. You can apply for one from home if offered a job prior to arrival, or come to Chile on a Tourist visa and send off the form in country, which is usually easier.

Residents of New Zealand and Australia can also apply for a working holiday visa.

Work Visa requirements:

• Job offer

• Valid passport

• Medical certificate

Why Choose Chile?

• Beautiful, varied landscapes

• Endless coastlines

• Plenty of culture and nightlife

• Lots of job opportunities

• The chance to save money

Be Aware…

Avoid arriving during January or February if you haven’t already arranged a job, as most schools will be on summer holidays and therefore not looking for staff.

The high volume of traffic in the big cities equals lots of smog and slow journeys between classes. Although you’ll make less money, you may have a better quality of life in smaller towns and rural areas.

Before you go

Read this…

Travels in a Thin Country: Journey Through Chile by Sara Wheeler – interesting commentary from an epic journey along the length of Chile

Watch this…

Machuca – profoundly human story of how two boys from differing backgrounds become friends, set against the backdrop of political instability in 1970’s Chile.

A Few Fun Facts

• Chilean news stations show the weather forecast for Antarctica. Most days it’s, er… cold!

• Despite being more than 4,300km long, it is never more than 430km wide and is only 90km across at its narrowest point

• 90% of the population is of mixed ethnic origin

• Robinson Crusoe is based on the story of Alexander Selkirk, an 18th-century mariner who was marooned on one of Chile’s many desert islands.