TIPS FOR GETTING A JOB TEACHING ENGLISH IN NICARAGUA
Education: Preferably a BA/BS though for teaching English in Nicaragua it’s not required
TEFL Certification: Necessary TEFL/TESOL certification obtainable by the 4-week in-person course at one of 20 worldwide locations or 170-hour online TEFL class.
Peak hiring months: Middle of January to February and again in July but contract turnovers take place every month to keep the hiring process running all through the year
Types of Jobs: Private students, positions in universities and English language schools
Citizenship Requirements: Preference given to citizens of South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Canada, UK, and USA though this is not always a requirement
Typical Hiring Process: Local in-person interview in Nicaragua only
Average teaching hours per week: 20-25 hours in the classroom plus preparation hours
Types of Students: Business professionals and adults
Cost of Living per month: $300-$600 USD (9,400-18,800 NIO)
Visas: Tourist visa
Potential to save: Break-even market
Average Monthly Pay: $300-$600 USD (9,400-18,800NIO)
Unlike countries such as Panama and Costa Rica, Nicaragua is a place that is left largely undiscovered by retirees and tourists. A booming English-teaching job market, Nicaragua also stands out as the safest country in the region. There is high demand for new teachers with hiring typically taking place all through the year except during the Christmas holiday period of December-mid-January. Local, in-person interviews are the norm for the hiring process.
Modest wages are offered to English teachers in the country, but the extremely low local cost of living compared to Europe of the USA allows a comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle. Monthly rent rarely goes beyond a maximum of $150 monthly while other basic necessities such as public transport and food are very much affordable. Weeks consist of 20 to 25 hours of work which leaves plenty of time for pursuing other interests and in travelling and exploring the place.
A bachelor’s degree for teaching in Nicaragua, though not necessary, is usually preferred. TEFL certification is another typical requirement. Bilingual schools usually offer the maximum number of teaching opportunities with children making the bulk of the student population. Larger cities such as San Juan del Sur, Granada, Managua, and Leon usually have the most teaching opportunities. English teachers typically work on a tourist visa renewable every 90 days by means of a short trip to Costa Rica.
While it is not necessary to hold a Bachelor’s degree for securing a job in Nicaragua, many employers tend to prefer candidates with one. Those without a degree should brace themselves for a competitive job search process.
