britishcouncil.org) and the TEFL website (tefl.com) each has a list of English-teaching vacancies. Most jobs are in the larger cities.Opportunities for volunteer and non-profit work abound, but be prepared to pay something towards your upkeep. Paid opportunities are few and far between, and some are likely to be illegal.
Qualified English teachers with a CELTA, TEFL or TESOL should be able to find work, but you are strongly advised to arrange a placement before you travel. Qualified schoolteachers from English-speaking countries can also find teaching opportunities, and if you have a Master’s degree, you can teach at university. However, turning up and looking for work is likely to leave you frustrated and/or violating local laws – officially you will require a work permit. The British Council (britishcouncil.org) and the TEFL website (tefl.com) each has a list of English-teaching vacancies. Most jobs are in the larger cities.
South America has long been a hugely popular destination for people wishing to brush up on their Spanish: Cusco, Peru; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Sucre, Bolivia; and Quito, Ecuador, are the most popular destinations and a huge variety of courses and levels is available. In Brazil, most of the large cities are great locations for learning Portuguese. You can also learn indigenous languages such as Quechua in Bolivia or Guaraní in Paraguay. Typically, three types of course are on offer: a classroom-based course, a more active learning course through activities and excursions, or the live-in option with a host family.
Academía Latinoamericana de Español latinoschools.com. Spanish classes in Quito, Cusco and Sucre.
Amerispan amerispan.com. Spanish courses and volunteer opportunities across Latin America.
Apple Languages applelanguages.com. High-quality Spanish schools throughout South America.
Bridge Linguatec bridge.edu. Spanish and Portuguese classes in Argentina, Chile and Brazil.
Don Quijote donquijote.org. High-quality, internationally recognized courses offered in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Escuela Runawasi runawasi.org. Quechua, Aymara and Spanish-language and literature lessons in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Latin Immersion latinimmersion.com. Spanish immersion courses throughout the continent.
Simón Bolívar Spanish School bolivar2.com. Based in Cuenca, Ecuador, with courses based on a study of the country.
Spanish Study Holidays spanishstudyholidays.com. Courses from one week to nine months in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru.
Volunteer opportunities are available in social, environmental and conservation work in many South American countries, though you will be expected to pay for the privilege. You can easily volunteer in Chile, but you’ll often have to pay for the privilege. Many organizations target people on gap years (at whatever stage in their lives) and offer placements on both inner city and environmental projects. For free or low-cost volunteer positions take a look at the excellent volunteersouthamerica.net.
While many positions are organized prior to arrival, it’s also possible to pick something up on the ground through word of mouth. Noticeboards in the more popular hostels are always good sources of information.
AFS Intercultural Programs afs.org. Intercultural exchange organization with programmes in more than fifty countries.
Amerispan amerispan.com. Highly rated educational travel company that specializes in language courses, but also runs volunteer programmes all over Latin America.
British Council britishcouncil.org. Produces a free leaflet which details study opportunities abroad. The website has a list of current job vacancies for recruiting TEFL teachers for posts worldwide.
Council on International Educational Exchange ciee.org. Leading NGO offering study programmes and volunteer projects around the world.
Earthwatch Institute earthwatch.org. Scientific expedition project that spans more than fifty countries with environmental and archeological ventures worldwide.
Rainforest Concern rainforestconcern.org. Volunteering opportunities protecting threatened habitats in Latin America.
Raleigh International raleighinternational.org. Volunteer projects across the world for young travellers.
Volunteer South America volunteersouthamerica.net. Free and low-cost volunteering opportunities across the continent.