~ Mexico ~ Brazil ~ Argentina ~ Costa Rica ~ Chile ~ Colombia ~ Ecuador ~ Peru ~ Panama ~

Mexico

From the beautiful white sands of the coastal beaches to the lush green mountains, Mexico has something for everyone. Visit the ancient ruins of the Maya and Aztec civilizations; enjoy native art, dance, and culture. Immerse yourself in the sounds of the famous Mariachi and Marimba music as you saunter through street fairs and plazas, and take in the ritualistic dance between bull and matador in a true bullfight. This region is certainly a haven for adventure tourism.

Requirements	High School Diploma and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate
Typical Contract	Five months, six months, one year
Peak Hiring Season	January, June
Teaching Hours/Week	15-30
Monthly Salary*	6,000 - 10,000 MXN
Private Tutoring	80-200 MXN/hr
Exchange Rates**	As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 12.20 MXN 1.00 MXN = 0.08 CAD
Cost of Living †	Cost of a Big Mac = 33 MXN
Income Tax ††	3-35%
Accommodations	Sometimes included
Airfare	Usually not included
Health Care	Sometimes included
Holidays	Paid
Visa	Usually included

Brazil

Samba and Cerveza are the highlights of the famous Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. But Carnival is not the only time of year that Brazil parties. Known for its entertainment, nightlife, and beautiful beaches, Brazil is the place to be for those young-at-heart. Teaching opportunities exist everywhere, from remote villages to big cities. There are thousands of ESL schools scattered all over Brazil, the fifth largest country in the world. The growing economy allows for the opportunity to also teach in large corporations. The sunny weather and fun-loving people make this a popular teaching destination.

Requirements	Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate
Typical Contract	One year
Peak Hiring Season	January
Teaching Hours/Week	25
Monthly Salary*	1,500 - 3,500 BRL
Private Tutoring	20-40 BRL/hr
Exchange Rates**	As of 07-29-2010 1.00 BRL = 0.58 CAD 1.00 CAD = 1.70 BRL
Cost of Living †	Cost of a Big Mac = 8.02 BRL
Income Tax ††	15-30%
Accommodations	Employer assisted
Airfare	Not included
Health Care	Usually included
Holidays	Paid
Visa	Mostly tourist visa. Chain schools require a work visa.
Important Notes	Large ESL market; best to be in the country to find a teaching job.

Argentina

Argentina is one Latin American country where Europeans and Americans can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously. For cosmopolitan types, there's the elegant capital Buenos Aires and the wine regions of Mendoza and Salta. For nature lovers, two natural reserves and the Iguazu Falls will dazzle the senses. ESL teachers with a love of winter sports can get their fill skiing in the Andes or hiking in the Glaciers National Park.

Requirements	Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate
Typical Contract	Six months to one year
Peak Hiring Season	February/March - November/December
Teaching Hours/Week	10-20
Monthly Salary*	1,200-1,400 ARS
Private Tutoring	95 ARS/hr
Exchange Rates**	As of 07-29-2010 1.00 ARS = 0.26 CAD 1.00 CAD = 3.79 ARS
Cost of Living †	Cost of a Big Mac = 11.50 ARS
Income Tax ††	9-25%
Accommodations	Sometimes included
Airfare	Not included
Health Care	Usually included
Holidays	Paid
Visa	Employer assisted; degree not required

Costa Rica

Enjoy the exotic and natural beauty of Costa Rica while teaching ESL. Experience the colourful markets, warm climate and fabulous food offered in San Jose. The country of Costa Rica is partially made up of tropical islands and is estimated to be is one of the world's largest tourist destinations, including many visitors from the United States and Canada. Costa Rica may be a small country, but it is known for its biodiversity and its large portion of protected wilderness.

Requirements	Bachelor Degree and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate
Typical Contract	Six months to one year
Peak Hiring Season	May - September
Teaching Hours/Week	8-15
Monthly Salary*	226,700 - 566,750 CRC
Private Tutoring	3,000 - 6,000 CRC/hr
Exchange Rates**	As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 496.94 CRC 1.00 CRC = 0.00 CAD
Cost of Living †	Cost of a Big Mac = 2,000 CRC
Income Tax ††	10-15%
Accommodations	Employer assisted
Airfare	Usually not included
Health Care	Not included
Holidays	Sometimes paid
Visa	Usually not included
Important Notes	Preference is given to candidates who apply in person and who have a college degree and business experience. Visit lonelyplanet.com for more information about Costa Rica.

Chile

More adventurous teachers might enjoy the many incredible ski resorts in the Chilean Andes, which boast the best snow in the Southern Hemisphere; four of the top resorts are located right outside the Chilean capital of Santiago. Chile is also known for its abundance of national parks, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and gastronomic pleasures, especially cultivated fruits and vegetables. If travelling south of the capital, keep in mind that food portions only get bigger!

Requirements	Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate
Typical Contract	Six months, nine months, and one year
Peak Hiring Season	February/March
Teaching Hours/Week	25-30
Monthly Salary*	500,000 - 700,000 CLP
Private Tutoring	5,000 - 7,000 CLP/hr
Exchange Rates**	As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 501 CLP 1.00 CLP = 0.00 CAD
Cost of Living †	Cost of a Big Mac = 1,720 CLP
Income Tax ††	5-45 %
Accommodations	Rarely included
Airfare	Not included
Health Care	Usually included
Holidays	Paid
Visa	Most use a tourist or temporary work visa

Colombia

Colombia's capital, Bogota, is a fascinating place to visit as it lies at the base of a mountain range that includes the breathtaking shrine-topped peaks of Monserrate and Guadalupe. ESL teachers will also enjoy must-see destinations like the Amacayacu National Park in the Amazon rainforest or Isla Gorgona. Colombia has become much safer for foreigners in more recent years, which makes all that this country has to offer even better.

Requirements	Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate
Typical Contract	One year
Peak Hiring Season	January, September
Teaching Hours/Week	25-40
Monthly Salary*	1.5 - 4.5 million COP
Private Tutoring	25,000 - 30,000 COP/hr
Exchange Rates**	As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 1700 COP 1.00 COP = 0.00 CAD
Cost of Living †	Cost of a Big Mac = 7,000 COP
Income Tax ††	10-38.5%
Accommodations	Rarely included
Airfare	Sometimes included
Health Care	Sometimes included
Holidays	Paid
Visa	Employer assisted

Ecuador

Nationals believe that Ecuador is nature's greatest achievement. The Andean highlands are a tapestry of colour and the Amazon rainforests are a surplus of lush vegetation and exotic wildlife. In your spare time, take the opportunity to visit the enchanting Galapagos Islands. Having risen from the floor of the Pacific Ocean millions of years ago, the remote islands offer unique species of plants and animals that are not found anywhere else in the world. Just outside Quito, the country's capital, ESL teachers can visit the Avenue of the Volcanoes and the Mitad del Mundo, a monument marking the equator. Don't miss your chance to stand in two hemispheres at once!

Requirements	Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate
Typical Contract	Ten months to one year
Peak Hiring Season	January, September
Teaching Hours/Week	25-40
Monthly Salary*	400 - 900 USD
Private Tutoring	10 USD/hr
Exchange Rates**	As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 0.96 USD 1.00 USD = 1.03 CAD
Cost of Living †	Big Mac = 1.50 USD
Income Tax ††	5-25%
Accommodations	Employer assisted
Airfare	Usually not included
Health Care	Usually not included
Holidays	Not paid
Visa	Most use a tourist or temporary work visa

Peru

The people and places of Peru, with their colourful traditions, are wonderfully refreshing. One of the modern Wonders of the World, the intriguing ruins of Machu Picchu call out to those with a thirst for ancient history and a spirit of adventure. Likewise Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, will fascinate the beholder. Spectacular varied scenery, preserved beauty, and mysterious places make Peru a welcome teaching destination.

Requirements	Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate
Typical Contract	One month, six months, and one year
Peak Hiring Season	February/March
Teaching Hours/Week	10 - 35
Monthly Salary*	1,200 - 2,000 PEN
Private Tutoring	14 - 50 PEN/hr
Exchange Rates**	As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 2.72 PEN 1.00 PEN = 0.36 CAD
Cost of Living †	Cost of a Big Mac = 8.50 PEN
Income Tax ††	15-27%
Accommodations	Sometimes included (homestays common)
Airfare	Usually not included
Health Care	Sometimes included
Holidays	Sometimes paid
Visa	Sometimes included

Panama

Panama's landscape is about as diverse as it gets. This small isthmus can be traversed quickly, and in just a couple weekends visitors could take in the Panama Canal, Panama Viejo (founded by the Spanish in 1519), Casco Antiguo (Panama's artistic centre), and the tropical rainforests. The consistent temperatures and wide array of cultural adventures make the 'Crossroads of the Americas' an ideal teaching destination.

Requirements	Bachelor Degree and Oxford Seminars' TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate
Typical Contract	Six months - one year
Peak Hiring Season	January, September
Teaching Hours/Week	25
Monthly Salary*	600 - 1,000 PAB per month
Private Tutoring	15 - 25 PAB/hr
Exchange Rates**	As of 07-29-2010 1.00 CAD = 2.72 PEN 1.00 PEN = 0.36 CAD
Cost of Living †	NA
Income Tax ††	7-27%
Accommodations	NA
Airfare	NA
Health Care	NA
Holidays	NA
Visa	Usually tourist visa
Important Notes	In person hiring or missionary opportunities

* Wages vary depending on the economy of the country.
** Exchange rates are subject to change. Check www.xe.com for current rates.
† The Big Mac Index is a credible, reliable, third-party cost-of-living index created by The Economist. For comparison purposes, it lists the cost of a Canadian Big Mac at $4.16.
†† Income tax rate is based on the amount of yearly income. Most TESOL/TESL instructors will be charged no more than the minimum percentage.