TEFL jobs in Peru
A complete guide for TEFL teachers on teaching English in Peru
Overview
Other than being famous for being the home of Paddington Bear, Peru has many other attractions, including the Inca ruins. You will also find Machu Picchu, and the country remains steeped in traditional Peruvian culture. The meeting of this ancient history with new modern lifestyles creates a fantastic destination and an excellent choice for those who want to teach English abroad.
The great news is while spending time as an English teacher in Peru; you will have plenty of spare time to explore the fantastic local area, so be sure to take a trip on a rainforest riverboat where you can feed macaws as you pass, climb to the top of the Andes or swim in the Pacific. It is also an amazing place to taste some of the finest cuisines, often as you explore the many city-wide festivals that take place throughout the year. Although you may not have enough expendable income to hoard away vast savings, the salary offered to English teachers in Peru will give you a comfortable lifestyle and enough spare cash to do some exploration and enjoy yourself.
Since 1993 the economic growth has continued in Peru, and now the area is more financially stable, which has led to a higher demand for TEFL teachers. From international schools to business classes, the demand for highly skilled English teachers in Peru is definitely on the rise. Even if you are a newcomer or have little to no experience, the voluntary organisations that teach English to locals in the rural mountains will be delighted to see you. The tourist industry is booming, so many locals understand the importance of good English skills. From a business point of view, English is needed to participate in a global market, and Peru has many natural resources that it can export.
In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about teaching English in Peru, including the types of jobs on offer, visa requirements, the qualifications you need and fitting in with the lifestyle and culture so that you can decide whether this country is the next destination of choice for your English teaching adventures.
Types of teaching jobs
Schools
From state schools to private schools, there are plenty of opportunities for English teachers in Peru to find work. Provided you meet the requirements, Peru has one of the easiest starter processes, as there are no particularly complicated visa rules to deal with. You will often find that you are offered a six-month contract which is perfect for many people, but they are also happy if you choose to renew your contract and stay longer. If you have a Masters’s level qualification, you may want to consider teaching at the university level, and these are the most prestigious jobs on offer. For that reason, the requirements are very strict, and a lot of people will apply. They tend to be awarded to people who are looking to make a more permanent life for themselves in Peru on a longer-term basis.
English Language Schools
In Peru, international schools tend to be found in Lima. In order to apply to an international school, you will need to be a qualified teacher with around two years of experience under your belt. Schedules can be fairly busy, and generally, you will be working five days a week teaching around six classes each day in order to make ends meet. But, it will still allow you a good amount of time to explore the local area.
Private Language Lessons
Another option is to set yourself up as a private language tutor, but of course, this is less stable, so it depends on your situation. Teaching English in Peru on a part-time private basis could be the perfect arrangement for those backpacking through the area, giving you some spending money for your travels. You could make a living as a freelance English teacher in Peru, and in this case, you should offer discounts if your students are prepared to book blocks of lessons. Be clear on your cancellation rules, and make it known that you charge for those who cancel; otherwise, you will lose money if people don’t turn up. If you can get a stable enough Internet connection, you could also teach English online and then your students could be located anywhere in the world. Many people have full-time jobs and still take on private language lessons in their spare time to make ends meet.
Volunteering
If you have little to no experience teaching English abroad, then you could consider volunteering in one of the outreach programs. They tend to be located in rural areas, but you will get food and accommodation provided.
Living costs
Peru has relatively cheap living costs when compared to the rest of Latin America. it is less expensive than approximately 67% of countries in Latin America. This makes it a very appealing destination for travellers and a great location for English teachers abroad. There is a lot of voluntary work on offer, which attracts gap year students looking for a CV-boosting experience. If you do voluntary work, you will get your food and living for free but won’t have much spending money. That said, there is certainly plenty to see and do for free. Peru loves a good festival, and they need no excuse to throw another one. It is a culturally significant country, and there are archaeological sites and museums aplenty. Peru is also something of a surfers paradise, and if you prefer dry land, you can watch from the awesome beaches.
In order to provide the most accurate cost of living figures, we use numbeo.com, the world’s largest cost of living database, updated regularly.
Key facts
Language: Spanish
Population: 34.6 Million
Currency: Sol (PEN)
Capital: Lima
TEFL job demand: High
Our TEFL rating: 3.5
Popular locations for TEFL jobs
Lima, Cusco, Sullana, Arequipa, Trujillo
Average salary for EFL teachers
The basic monthly salary for full-time positions is likely to be in the region of 1,890–2,640 Sol (€800-€1000) per month. Freelance teaching can earn you around 1-75 Sol (€5-20) per hour.
TEFL qualification requirements
A 120-hour TEFL qualification will be required for most positions
Prerequisite university degree
Having a degree is preferred but not required for all jobs
Term times
March–December
Teaching programmes
Freelance, Voluntary, International Schools, Business English, Private Language Schools
Age restrictions
None
Previous teaching experience
Not usually required
Key Points
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Got Questions?
Get clear answers about TEFL courses, certification, teaching jobs, and everything in between.
English teachers in Peru can expect to earn around €500-€1000 per month.
Not really, it is considered one of Latin America’s cheaper countries, and everything is relative, so your wages should cover your lifestyle.
Yes, it is possible to find jobs teaching English in Peru if you don’t have a degree; they want a TEFL certification, though.