Teaching English in Colombia: The Ultimate Guide - 2025

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Teach English in Colombia

A country striving for bilingualism, Colombia is brimming with opportunities for qualified TEFL teachers.

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Colombia has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades, and for adventurous TEFL teachers, it’s full of opportunity. Colombia offers a diverse backdrop for teaching English abroad, from the Amazon rainforest to the dramatic Tatacoa Desert,Chicamocha Canyon and colourful, buzzing cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena.

With a national ambition to become bilingual, the demand for English education is growing. Colombia is actively working to improve its English proficiency and strengthen its position in the global economy. While experienced and qualified teachers are in high demand, it’s also an excellent destination for newly qualified TEFL teachers. In many cases, a degree or previous experience isn’t required.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about teaching English in Colombia. We’ll discuss job requirements, salaries, and what to expect from daily life (freshly brewed coffee included).

Teaching in Colombia: an overview

Teaching English in Colombia is rewarding, varied, and often challenging. Spanish is the official language, but the country is also home to many Indigenous languages. English is taught in schools, and you may hear it spoken in tourist hotspots. However, overall proficiency remains low.

The Colombian Ministry of Education has improved English language standards, but access to quality education still varies greatly. In rural areas, poverty levels remain high, and English instruction is often limited or completely unavailable. This situation is reflected in the country’s EF English Proficiency Index ranking of 74th out of 116 countries.

In cities like Bogotá and Medellín, English education is more accessible, and demand is higher. Opportunities exist to impact more remote areas, but resources and support may be limited. There is also an ongoing combat situation in Colombia, which has seen millions displaced.

ESL teachers in Colombia often choose between two very different experiences. Usually, it means finding English teaching jobs in major cities with well-established infrastructure and demand, or heading to underserved regions where your work can be significant.

Requirements for teaching English in Colombia

What requirements do you need to meet to teach English abroad in Colombia?

A work visa depends on an ESL teacher receiving a firm job offer. This means there aren’t specific academic requirements. If you can speak Spanish at any level, it's handy. Even basic Spanish phrases will help you find English teaching jobs in Colombia.

You don't necessarily have to be a native English speaker to teach English in Colombia. Still, proof of fluency (IELTS, TOEFL or an English-language degree) will help you find English teaching jobs more easily.

What else do you need for job opportunities in Colombia?

TEFL certification

Employers in Colombia will require a TEFL certificate (with at least 120 hours of training). TEFL certification is a must for teachers working across the world.

Further TEFL qualifications are beneficial, like an advanced TEFL certificate in Business English or English for Academic Purposes. This is especially true in cities like Bogotá and Medellín, where competition is high, and there are more Colombian students and young professionals.

Teaching without a degree

While you can teach English abroad without a degree in Colombia, many employers will insist on hiring ESL teachers with a bachelor’s degree and TEFL certification.

Private language institutes typically advertise teaching jobs without the need for a degree.

Teaching with no experience

English teachers who have previous teaching experience are highly sought-after in Colombia. Generally, teachers with prior experience will find more lucrative and secure jobs.

However, there are plenty of teaching opportunities for new ESL teachers in Colombia, with words like “dedicated” and “qualified” appearing in job adverts rather than “experienced.” Private language businesses will hire inexperienced teachers more readily than public or private schools.

Visas for teaching jobs

To teach English legally in Colombia, you must apply for the Migrant (M) Work Visa. This specific visa is designed for foreign professionals, so you’ll need a job offer from a Colombian employer to apply.

To be eligible for this visa, you require:

A confirmed job offer from a registered Colombian institution
A valid passport (with at least 6 months remaining)
Degree certificate (if applicable)
A TEFL certificate
Proof of private health insurance valid in Colombia
Proof of accommodation in Colombia

Your employer must submit various documents, including bank statements, proof of tax payments, and an “employer motivation letter”.

Salary and cost of living for English teachers in Colombia

What salary and teaching benefits are offered to TEFL-certified educators in Colombia? Let’s take a look.

Salary

What kind of salary can you earn teaching abroad in Colombia?

Typically, full-time English teaching jobs in Colombia pay between COL$3.4 million and COL$4.2 million (£667 - £822 / $848 - $1,035) per month.

Teaching jobs in Colombia won’t make you wealthy. However, TEFL teachers will find that they can teach English in Colombia and live reasonably well, based on the average salary.

Country	Avg. monthly salary	Degree required	Start of term	Teaching experience	Housing & flights included	Suitable for non-native English speakers	Age restrictions
Teach in Colombia	4,225,277 COP £822 GBP $1,035 USD		January/February				under 62

Other benefits

Typically, only teaching jobs in private education come with additional benefits. These benefits can include paid vacation time and health insurance. Across the board, employers will usually help you with your work visa.

Sometimes, accommodation may be offered to foreign teachers at a discount or entirely for free. Again, this is usually only the case in private school jobs or international schools.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Colombia is relatively low compared to many Western countries, making it an attractive option for TEFL teachers. While prices vary between cities, Bogotá, Colombia’s bustling and exciting capital city, is a helpful benchmark.

Let’s start with the cost of accommodation. Property rental sites say rent for a one-bedroom apartment in central Bogotá starts at about £550 / $745 monthly. However, shopping around Bogotá or finding apartment shares can help reduce costs. Monthly rental prices drop to about £231 / $313 outside the city centre.

Basic utilities average at around £59 / $79 per month. If you’re keen to boost funds by teaching English online, monthly internet access costs approximately £19 / $26.

Colombian cuisine, with staple dishes like bandeja paisa, arepas and empanadas, is one of the best parts of teaching ESL in this part of South America. A simple meal at a local cafe costs around £3.65 / $5, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is typically £23 / $31.

Consult the table below for more cost-of-living information:

Restaurants	COP	USD	GBP
Inexpensive restaurant meal
Domestic beer (0.5 litre)
Regular cappuccino
Water (0.33 litre)
Markets	COP	USD	GBP
Regular milk (1 litre)
Loaf of white bread
Regular eggs (1 dozen)
Apples (1 kg)
Transportation	COP	USD	GBP
One-way ticket (local transport)
Monthly pass (regular price)
Taxi start (normal tariff)
Gasoline (1 litre)
Utilities	COP	USD	GBP
Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage (for a regular apartment)
Regular prepaid monthly mobile tariff with 10GB+ data
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited data, cable/ADSL)
Clothing and shoes	COP	USD	GBP
Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or something similar)
Summer dress in a chain store
Nike running shoes (mid-range)
Men's leather business shoes

Download our teaching English in Latin America guide

Culture and customs in Colombia: key facts

As a location to teach English, Colombia is one of the most exciting places in the world. Understanding the culture will help you settle in and connect with your students and local community. Here are five key things to know:

Late = “on time”?

In Colombia, meeting times tend to be more relaxed. Events often start later than advertised, and arriving up to half an hour “late” is common in most social situations. However, don’t expect this to happen in professional environments, including schools. As a teacher, being on time is being late!

Festivals mean everything

Colombia has a busy social calendar for English teachers to enjoy, with festivals and celebrations celebrating its diverse and unique culture. For example, the Carnival of Barranquilla is world-famous, with dancing, colourful parades and dazzling costumes. Like Spain, Semana Santa (Holy Week) is widely observed, with Colombia being predominantly Catholic. Popayán is particularly famous for its Holy Week celebrations.

Festivals can be disorientating at first, but if you have a sense of adventure and are keen to integrate into the local culture, they’re an essential part of life in Colombia.

Meals

Food plays a central role in Colombian culture. If lunch is your favourite meal, you’re in luck, as it’s also Colombia’s favourite. Meals are seen as a time to relax and talk, and are a great way to get to know your colleagues.

In Spanish-speaking countries like Colombia, the slow, social aspect of dining is referred to as la sobremesa. While you might be inclined to get up and put your dishes away after you finish a meal, wait and keep chatting.

Politeness

This is true everywhere, but how you present yourself and talk to people while teaching ESL in Colombia is extremely important. You don’t necessarily need to be fluent in Spanish, but friendly greetings like “Buenos días” or “Buenas tardes” matter to Spanish speakers. Formal titles also matter, especially when meeting someone for the first time.

Best cities for English teaching Jobs in Colombia

Any experienced teacher will tell you that starting with the cities is the best route to an English teaching job in most countries. Colombia’s major cities, Bogotá and Medellín, are two of the most exciting places to start.

Bogotá

Colombia’s capital city, Bogotá, is the most popular destination for intrepid TEFL teachers. It’s where most of Colombia’s private and international language schools are located, and there’s immense demand for English.

If you like heights and inspiring views, Bogotá’s location will delight you. The city is 2,640m above sea level, nestled in the Eastern Hills of the Andes. Moving from geography to culture, there’s a wealth of things to see and do in Colombia’s capital. You’ll find colonial-era architecture galore in La Candelaria, while Zona Rosa is where all the best clubs, bars and shops can be found.

As for tourist attractions? The Museo del Oro (Gold Museum), with over 55,000 artefacts, is a must-see. So, too, is the Centro Cultural Gabriel García Márquez, an ampitheatre celebrating Colombia’s best-loved author, and the hugely compelling Museo Histórico Policial.

Bogotá is the centre of Colombian culture and academia. The city has a range of top universities, state schools, private institutes, and language centres that hire ESL teachers across the academic year.

Medellín

Medellín is a city transformed. Colombia’s second city has become one of Latin America’s most welcoming and culturally essential destinations. Due to its mild, welcoming climate, Medellín is called the “City of Eternal Spring.” Not only is it hospitable weather-wise, but it’s also a growing TEFL market.

If you want an example of how rapidly Medellín has changed, look at Comuna 13. Once one of the most dangerous areas in the world, it’s now a creative hub and a centre of street art. Fernando Botero's sculptures in Botero Plaza are also well worth a look, while Pueblito Paisa gives a strong feeling of what ancient Colombia was like.

The reliable Metrocable connects hillside neighbourhoods to the city centre, meaning commuting isn’t a problem for TEFL teachers, who will find countless opportunities in Medellín across the public and private sectors. Private language institutes are relatively common, with jobs going year-round.

Teaching English in Colombia: key takeaways

Deciding to teach English in Colombia isn't the most common route for TEFL teachers. However, modern Colombia’s education sector is rapidly evolving, with a growing demand for English.

Here are some key takeaways from our guide to teaching English in Colombia:

Requirements: To teach English in Colombia, you must have a 120-hour TEFL certification. While some teaching jobs require a bachelor’s degree (usually public schools, international schools and private schools), many private language institutes are happy to hire teachers without one. Previous teaching experience is preferred. Additional TEFL courses, like exam preparation and Business English, are also valuable when you teach English in Colombia.
Salaries: The average monthly salary for TEFL teachers in Colombia is COL$3.4 - COL$4.2 million (£667 – £822 / $848 – $1,035). Thanks to Colombia’s low rent, food, and transport costs, teachers usually enjoy a reasonable standard of living.
Visa: You need a confirmed job offer to gain a Migrant (M) Visa.
Culture: Social events often start late, though punctuality remains vital in professional settings. Mealtimes are highly social, with an emphasis on conversation.
Opportunities: Most ESL jobs are based in Bogotá and Medellín, where demand is highest. However, volunteering or teaching in underserved rural areas can be especially valuable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's it like to teach abroad in Colombia? The internet has plenty of questions about the teaching experience in this intriguing part of South America - here are our answers:

Q. Do I need Spanish to teach English in Colombia?

Some basic Spanish language abilities will help you settle into any Spanish-speaking country, including Colombia. Alongside a TEFL certificate and experience (and in some cases, a degree), Spanish proficiency looks great on a CV.

Q. How long does the visa process take to teach English in Colombia?

The visa process for Colombia usually takes around 2-4 weeks.

Q. How long are typical teaching contracts for when you teach English in Colombia?

Contracts to teach English in Colombia usually last at least a year, and can be renewed upon completion.