While Spain is undoubtedly a top TEFL destination in Europe, drawing teachers globally, Latin America presents unique offerings that might align better with some educators' preferences. Beyond the allure of Spain's sunny coast, Latin America boasts diverse cultures, rich histories, and often a lower cost of living in many of its countries. Delving into the specifics, some teachers find that Latin America's advantages provide a more fitting and fulfilling teaching experience.
Table of Contents
Where is the best place to learn the Spanish language?
What is the cost of living in Spain compared to Latin America?
How do work visas differ between Spain and Latin America?
What about hiring seasons and getting a job in advance?
What other advantages does Latin America have over Spain?
Where is the best place to learn the Spanish language?
When seeking the ideal location to master the Spanish language, many understandably gravitate towards Spain. However, Spain offers diverse dialects and accents, such as in the Basque Region and Catalonia, which might pose comprehension challenges even for native Spanish speakers from other countries. On the other hand, many Latin American countries are hailed for having clear and neutral Spanish, making it a better choice for learners. Moreover, Spanish acquired in Latin America tends to be widely understood across the region, suggesting its adaptability and broader usefulness.
What is the cost of living in Spain compared to Latin America?
When comparing the cost of living between Spain and Latin America, Latin America consistently emerges as a more economical choice. Spain's urban centers, like Madrid and Barcelona, are notoriously pricier in terms of rent, transportation, groceries, and entertainment. In contrast, even Santiago, known as one of Latin America's costlier cities, remains approximately 20% cheaper than Barcelona. Opting for a metropolis like Mexico City not only avails a plethora of teaching opportunities but also presents a cost of living nearly half of Madrid's. Factoring in exchange rates, your money stretches further in Latin America, ensuring you retain more savings compared to residing in Spain.
How do work visas differ between Spain and Latin America?
Navigating work visa regulations varies notably between Spain and Latin America. In Spain, securing official work visas poses challenges for non-EU citizens. Consequently, many foreign teachers often resort to working under tourist visas - a common yet legally ambiguous practice. On the other hand, several Latin American countries, including Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico, streamline the process of acquiring work visas. Even in places like Costa Rica and Nicaragua, where formal work visas might be elusive, legally working under a renewable tourist visa is accepted, typically requiring a border hop every three months.
What about hiring seasons and getting a job in advance?
If you want to get a teaching job in Spain you really need to be on the ground job hunting during the peak hiring seasons in September or January. Outside of these times it can be much more difficult to find a suitable position. Latin America is largely open to teachers at anytime of the year, so there is no need to wait until September comes around. Also, unless you sign-up for the Cultural Ambassadors Program, it is very unlikely that you will find a teaching job in Spain in advance from within your home country. Almost all employers will want a face-to-face interview so you will need to travel to the country to interview for jobs. In Latin America there are many options for advance recruitment in several countries including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Mexico.
What other advantages does Latin America have over Spain?
One big advantage that applies to teachers from the USA and Canada is the difference in time zones. Latin America falls within the same time zones as these countries making communication with friends and family much more straightforward than if you are living in Spain. Also, the physical distance is generally less which makes it more practical for teachers from North America to head home for a visit during holiday times than it is when coming all the way from Europe.
