Chile

C oun try Gu i d e

Education Group
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| Chile

Chile snakes down the western coast of the South American continent,
with the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes Mountains to the
east. Peru and Bolivia are its borders to the north and northeast, with
Argentina sharing the Eastern border from Bolivia south to Patagonia.
Chile’s islands include Juan Fernández, Salas y Gómez, Desventura-
das and well-known, yet remote, Easter Island.

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Culture
Chilean geography, with an ocean border to the west and
mountains that range to the east, has provided the country with
a degree of cultural isolation that gives it an individual flavor.
Incan presence can still be felt in the architecture of the north,
and in central and southern Chile, the distinct dialects and
traditions of other indigenous peoples, such as the Mapuche,
remain.

Modern Chile, on the other hand, is best observed in capital

city Santiago, home of almost half the country’s urban pop-
ulation. It’s true that smog has a tendency to hover here, but
through it emerges a vibrancy that keeps the city buzzing.
During the day, grab a lunch of empanadas and coffee and
people-watch in centrally located Plaza de Armas. For dinner,
try one of Chile’s famed asados, (barbequed beef, pork or
chicken), accompanied by a glass of locally bottled wine or the
strangely refreshing mote de huesillos, a drink made with de-
hydrated peaches and caramel. Nightlife in Santiago starts late
and ends even later at the bars and clubs of barrios like Bel-
lavista and Brasil, and across the bridge in popular Pío Nono.

September 19th, Chile celebrates its independence from Spain

with traditional festivities in cities and towns throughout the
country. Parties are held under open-air ramandas, traditional
thatched-roof buildings made with tree branches, complete
with dance floors and beverage stands. Sit back and watch--
or get brave and join in—as Chileans hit the dance floor to
decide who’s best at la cueca, Chile’s national dance.

Things to Do and See

Chile’s unusual shape and size, running nearly the entire length
of South America, gives it a wide range of geographical and
cultural diversity. In the north, the Atacama is the world’s driest
desert and home to Chile’s largest salt flats. East of this region,
the Andes are at their widest, and the Altiplano, or high plateau,
features lakes such as enormous Titicaca, as well as numerous
active volcanoes.

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 Continue south to central Chile, home of capital city
Santiago, and you’ll find a more a mild, Mediterranean cli-
mate. Beaches in nearby towns, such as colorful Valpara-
iso and its neighbor, Viña del Mar, are the most popular
in the country. This region’s nearby ski resorts also offer
a cool escape to urban Chileans and sunburnt foreigners
looking for a change of pace. Keep heading south and
the climate of Chile changes even more dramatically. The
alpine tundra and glaciers of Patagonia’s national parks
attract backpackers, trekkers and other hearty adven-
ture-seekers looking to rewrite their own version of The
Motorcycle Diaries.

Freedom Square, the city’s buzzing center. Also in Bohe-

mia, the university town of Olomouc is another worthwhile
stop, and potential teaching destination, where tourists
mix with students while exploring large squares, Baroque
fountains and historic cathedrals. Charming Cesky Krum-
lov, on the banks of the Vltava River, is home to the Czech
Republic’s second largest chateau. When you finally tire
of castles, relax in the Bohemia brewery towns of Pilsen
or Ceske Budejovice and decide for yourself if Czech beer
is the truly the best in the world. Or, for a nature escape,
head north to another of Bohemia’s treasures, Macocho
Caves, where you can wind your way through tunnels of
stalagmites to an underground river.

Currency/Cost Sample Cost Guide,

of Living Santiago (in USD)
A small local beer- $2.25
The currency in Chile is called the Chilean Peso A gallon of milk- $4.20
(CLP). For the most up-to-the-minute conversion Lunch at a local restaurant- $7.50
rate to your country’s currency, click here: curren- Rent for a one-bedroom apartment- $400
cy converter. Public transport (one way fare)- $1

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| Teaching in Chile

Demand for Teachers

A strong economy fueled by foreign investment has led to great opportunity for qualified English teachers, especially
teaching adult professionals (i.e. business English).
There is also some demand for teachers of children, mostly because of the Ministry of Education’s push toward
English education for all students with the creation of the Inglés Abre Puertas (English Opens Doors) program. This
program places volunteers from native English-speaking countries into assistant teaching positions alongside Chil-
ean teachers in middle schools and high schools throughout the country.

Major TEFL Cities

Santiago and nearby coastal towns of Viña del Mar and Valparaiso, as well as Chile’s second largest city, Concep-
ción, are good places for TEFL teachers to find work. Teaching opportunities can also be found in many other towns
throughout Chile, including in La Serena, Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta, Talca, Valdivia, Osorno and Punta Arenas.

Typical Students
Teachers who work at language institutes will mainly teach adult professionals who are taking classes to improve
their English for their job or the goal of career advancement. These students can be high-level executives, manag-
ers, or general employees. Children may also be students at language institutes, especially during after-school hours
or during the summer.

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Volunteer teachers in the Chilean government program called
English Opens Doors work as assistants teaching middle and
high school children alongside a Chilean teacher, in exchange for
room and board.

Typical Salary
Teachers at language institutes in Chile typically make the
equivalent of around $700- $1,200 USD per month, depending
on the city where they are teaching and the particular institute.
Sometimes teachers can make a higher salary range when
teaching courses at companies, or teaching on weekends. Uni-
versities also pay more, but often require higher credentials such
as a state teaching license or a master’s degree in education or
teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).

Typical Benefits
Your teaching contract at a language institute in Chile usually
won’t include housing or other benefits, but new teachers are
often assisted in locating suitable accommodations.

Teaching Hours
At a language institute you will work about 15-30 hours per
week, usually Monday through Friday and sometimes Saturdays.
Teaching schedules often include some early mornings and eve-
nings, since classes cater to adult professionals.

Contract Length
Employers tend to prefer hiring teachers for one-year contracts,
though it’s possible to find six-month contracts as well. Those
wishing to stay for even less time could consider working on a
freelance basis, without signing a contract.

Peak Hiring Season

The peak hiring months for EFL teachers in Chile are from Feb-
ruary to August.

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 Preferred Hiring
Requirements
Some language institutes prefer that you have an onsite TEFL
certificate and a college degree (in any subject). However, online
TEFL certificates of at least 100 hours are also widely accepted
in Chile. If you do not hold a bachelor’s degree, you can still find
teaching opportunities, since demand here is high.

How to Find Jobs

While you may see some teaching vacancies advertised on
online TEFL job boards, the majority of language institutes
hire teachers from within the country. Therefore, to get teach-
ing jobs, it’s a good idea to contact schools directly before you
go to Chile, in order to make contacts you can visit personally
when you arrive. It’s important to plan your arrival for peak hiring
months, such as January through August. Expect to spend a
couple of weeks interviewing before landing a job. Bring enough
money to support yourself until your first payday, which may be
at the end of your first month of teaching.

Interview Tips
Dress professionally and come prepared with resume, photo,
and a copy of your degree and TEFL certificate. It’s helpful to
present yourself as flexible toward teaching onsite at company
locations throughout the city (common in Santiago), as many
institutes focus on teaching business English.

Work Visa Process

Since most teachers get their jobs in Chile after they arrive, they
first enter Chile on a tourist visa (valid for 90 days) then apply for
a Temporary Residence Visa once hired by a school. To qualify
for this visa, a written, notarized contract of employment must
be presented. The Residence Visa is usually good for a year,
and schools will often help teachers with the process, especially
those who sign a one-year contract.

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 Recommended Courses
One good option is to take the Bridge IDELT, a 4-week, onsite TEFL course at the Bridge center in Santiago, Chile.
Getting certified in Santiago can make getting a job easier, since most language institutes in Chile hire teachers who
are already in the country. Also, Bridge in Chile often hires IDELT graduates to work as teachers at its English center,
and Bridge staff is also available to personally assist you in finding other local teaching jobs, too.

Another option is to complete an online TEFL certificate of at least 100 hours before you arrive; this certification
is accepted by most language schools in Chile. If you decide to get certified online, you might also consider a uni-
versity-level online TEFL course, in order to stand out more in a more competitive job market such as Santiago.

| Contact Us

If you have additional questions about teaching in Chile and would like to speak to an advisor, call 1-800-437-0413.
You can also visit our TEFL Resource Page for other helpful information about teaching abroad or to message an
advisor online.

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registered trademarks of Bridge Education Group, Inc. in the United States. All other trademarks
held by their respective owners. This brochure, or any portion thereof, may not be reproduced
without the express written permission of Bridge Education Group, Inc.

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