Teaching Jobs in Argentina

Mountains, coasts, cities, and jungles, oh my! You name it, Argentina has it. It’ll be up to you to decide where you would like to focus your time in such a stunning and exciting country!

Buenos Aires is the hands-down top location for teaching English in Argentina. As the capital city, many business people are looking to learn English, and there are a plethora of private language schools. For teachers who want to live in a big city that offers dancing, music, theater, arts, sports, and other entertainment, Buenos Aires is an ideal destination. You’ll also find a good amount of other foreigners living in Buenos Aires. 

Mendoza and Cordoba are locations that offer teaching jobs in Argentina in a smaller setting—you could check out towns such as Rosario, Bariloche, Tucuman, and Mar de Plata as well. These towns and cities have fewer opportunities than Buenos Aires; however, there are fewer individuals seeking ESL jobs in Argentina in these destinations. Depending on your location and lifestyle, smaller cities outside of the capital will also offer a lower cost of living than Buenos Aires.

Most of the teaching jobs in Argentina are English teaching jobs. The main times for hiring are February and March, as well as another round in July and August.

Local schools. In local schools, teachers will work with children or teenagers, either teaching their own classes or assisting local teachers. It is worth noting that the classroom culture in Argentina is very different than in the United States. In general, there is less structure, and punctuality is not as highly emphasized. Depending on the instruction students have experienced in the past, they might not know much English and could be very shy about speaking it. In some cases, the children may have only heard native English speakers in TV shows, songs, or movies.

Private institutions. Individuals who teach English abroad in Argentina at language institutes will work mostly with adults, many of whom are extremely motivated in learning the language. Classes at a private institute may have varying hours throughout the day and even take place on the weekends, since these are tailored for people who may already have full-time jobs or families. Expect to have some set hours but also be flexible in your schedule.

Salaries. While teaching in Argentina, you will find yourself in a “break even” scenario, meaning your monthly salary will be pretty close to your monthly expenses. Those who are incredibly frugal may be able to pocket a little money each month. As a teacher in Argentina you can expect to make between $700 to $900 per month.

Accommodations. Some teach abroad programs have housing built into their fees. Foreign teachers often live with other teachers in shared apartments; obtaining a long-term apartment can be challenging for foreigners as the owners may require a half-year payment up front. Living with a local roommate can be an excellent option, as you are not responsible for communicating with the landlord and you can pay rent month-to-month.

Visas. Most schools hire teachers on a tourist visa, but some will help their teachers obtain an official work visa. If you have a tourist visa, you will need to exit the country every three months to renew the visa, since there is a 90 day maximum.

Safety. Argentina is not particularly dangerous for those who keep their common sense about them. Avoid traveling alone at night, and keep a close eye on your personal possessions when in crowded areas.

Argentina is welcoming of foreigners, and teachers can live relatively comfortably on a local salary. However, landing a job in Argentina can be difficult. With a capital city that’s considered the Paris of South America, and a high volume of tourists and travelers who visit and decide they could live in Argentina, the teaching job market is competitive. However, with some flexibility and networking, it’s possible to find opportunities for teaching English in Argentina.

Working for private English schools can be a good way to balance earning an income while still having time to explore and travel, as you will give lessons for 20 to 25 hours per week. Be sure to understand the full process for getting paid from your employer—some institutes require a tax ID number or for you to get the check from a bank, which can be a process.

Some language schools require a TEFL certification for teaching in Argentina, so make sure you’re clear on whether or not you will need one before you jet off to your new home. Having a TEFL certificate can greatly increase your likelihood of getting hired for any teaching program in Argentina.