Teaching English in Bolivia

Bolivia, being the small and poor country that it is, fails to provide much of a competition as a major English-teaching job market to some of its more established and larger neighbors such as Argentina, Peru, and Chile. However, increased integration into the world economy and a major tourism growth has led to an increase in demand for the English language. This place is a good choice for anyone who wishes to perfect their Spanish language skills. While some may consider to be one off the beaten path, the opportunity Bolivia provides to TEFL certified teachers to dive into the local culture is parallel to none.

The job availabilities typically show up in the months of February-March and July-August. Teachers are mostly recruited locally by in-person job interviews in Bolivia. While such things as citizen or degree requirements do not necessarily exist, it is a must to possess a TEFL certification. Modest wages are the norm and one cannot quite expect to get rich while teaching English in the country. However, Bolivia has a low cost of living so the expenses typically get covered allowing candidates to lead a comfortable life. Major cities such as Santa Cruz, Oruro, El Alto, Cochabamba, and La Paz are the ones having the strongest job markets for English teachers.

Though a Bachelor’s degree is not a requirement for securing an English-teaching job, many employers tend to give it a strong preference. A more competitive job search will become necessary for those without a degree.