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Teach English in Jamaica

A fascinating island nation with an incredible cultural history and stunning landscapes, is Jamaica worth exploring for TEFL teachers?

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If you’re of a musical persuasion, and you’re looking to teach English abroad, Jamaica surely has to be in your thoughts. An island that’s given birth to reggae, ska, dancehall, dub, rocksteady and other distinct genres, the cultural history of “Jamrock” is just one fascinating part of its incredible allure.

An island nation, home to about 2.7 million people, Jamaica also has its share of breathtaking ecology and dramatic history. Linguistically speaking, the official language of Jamaica is English, owing largely to British colonisation. After independence in 1962, Jamaica remained a Commonwealth and English remained the official language. However, Jamaican Patois - which developed through the years of the slave trade - is the most spoken language, combining English Creole and a range of other languages. 

Linguistically, then, Jamaica is an interesting option for TEFL teachers. Jamaican English is the official language taught in schools, and certainly, there is room for English teachers from other countries to provide lessons, perspectives and cultural exchange in this vibrant Caribbean nation.

So how can it be done? What are the requirements, and how easy is it to get a visa? Are English teaching salaries liveable in a city like Kingston? What is the cost of living like? Let’s find out if you can make it as a TEFL teacher in Jamaica.

Jamaica: an overview

With a significant overhaul in its education system, Jamaica has made a real attempt to improve public schooling. This has included efforts to improve literacy - with the official language of the country being Jamaican English - which was only 87% in 2024. For those looking to teach English abroad in Jamaica, this means two things - the education system overhaul has made school enrolment universal up to grade 9 (age 14-15), and there’s a real focus on improving standards of English proficiency. To summarise: there are jobs.

That said, like other TEFL destinations around the Caribbean and Central America, you may find the most luck - at first - with volunteering opportunities. Similar to teaching English in the Dominican Republic, for example, or going to teach English in Puerto Rico, there are lots of social enterprises in Jamaica focused on English teaching. If you don’t plan on staying in Jamaica long-term and are new to teaching English, this can be a fantastic way to build experience.

As far as where you’ll find the most teaching jobs or volunteering opportunities in Jamaica, the cities and chief towns (towns with over 10,000 people) are your best bet. Kingston, Montego Bay, Portmore and Spanish Town are the busiest locales on the island.

Requirements 

So what do you need to teach English in Jamaica? Does previous teaching experience count? Do you need a TEFL certificate or two? A degree? Let’s see what you need!

TEFL certificate

To teach English in Jamaica, or really, to teach anywhere around the world, you’re best placed if you have a high-quality TEFL certificate. The industry standard is 120 hours of training, which will give you grounding in the methodologies and best practices of successful TEFL teachers. Your TEFL course should be conducted by a reputable provider, with multiple sources of accreditation. 

To give yourself an edge in the Jamaican TEFL jobs market, an advanced TEFL qualification might help. A lot of jobs will be in schools and kindergartens, meaning that a qualification in Teaching Young Learners will help. You can also help Jamaican entrepreneurs by teaching Business English, while there are plenty of Jamaican students looking to sharpen their essay skills, so a qualification in English for Academic Purposes ought to secure you some work!

Degree/no-degree 

The vast majority of teaching jobs in Jamaica - from our research - ask for at least a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree specifically in teaching or English language can be helpful, but most employers won’t ask for a specifically specialised bachelor’s.

If you’re looking to teach English abroad without a degree in Jamaica, your best bet might be through volunteering programmes. 

Experience 

If you want to teach English abroad without experience, Jamaica does have some opportunities, but it’s a very employer-specific situation. There’s no hard-and-fast rule here - each job has different requirements, so previous teaching experience may be enormously beneficial in some cases, and not necessary in others.

Additionally, if you want to teach English as a non-native English speaker, it is possible, albeit harder. Qualifications such as IELTS and TOEFL, or a degree from an English-speaking university,  

Visas

To work in Jamaica, you’ll need a Work Visa, approved by the Jamaican Ministry of Labour. To apply for one of these, you’ll need a job offer, so be sure to secure employment before you think about heading to Jamaica for the long term. 

For a Work Visa, new teachers need to provide:

  • A completed visa application form ‘J’
  • A valid passport
  • A letter from the Jamaican Ministry of Labour offering approval
  • One passport-size photograph
  • Visa fee 
Ask your prospective employer about gaining a letter of approval from the Jamaican Ministry of Labour. They should also be able to assist with fees, though this is not always possible.

If you want to teach English abroad in Jamaica for longer than six months, you’ll need a residence permit, which entitles you to stay legally for up to five years. What you’ll need to provide is:

  • A valid passport
  • Bank statements, investments, and other financial documents (to provide evidence of finances)
  • Birth certificate (original)
  • Evidence of marital status (marriage certificate, birth certificates of children, etc)
  • Medical certificate 
  • Criminal record from country of residence
  • 2x passport-size photographs (certified in Jamaica by a bank manager or Justice of the Peace)
  • A letter outlining your case for residence in Jamaica and two letters from references in Jamaica. Must be addressed to the Chief Immigration Officer from the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency.

JTC/Teaching license

Before you start to teach in Jamaica, at least at a school, you’ll need to register with the Jamaican Teaching Council. This functionally serves as your “teaching license” while in Jamaica, and it’s extremely straightforward. The process for application is all online, and in terms of documentation, you’ll need:

  • Identification (Electoral I.D., Drivers’ License, Passport) 
  • Birth Certificate
  • Tax Registration Number (TRN) and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) number  
  • Certified passport-sized photo 
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • Two stamped references (JP, Principal, Board Chair, Lawyer, Doctor, Police, Clergy, etc) 

Before you officially teach English, you’ll also need to provide your training qualifications (certificates, a copy of your diploma and/or a degree), and your professional portfolio (CV, evidence of previous employment etc).

Download our guide to teaching English around the world

Salary, benefits and cost of living  

So what’s the average salary for someone teaching English in Jamaica? How well does it compare with the cost of living? What about the cost of accommodation? Are there any bonuses typically included in Jamaican teaching contracts?

Let’s find out how much you can make teaching English in Jamaica, and what it costs for educators to live in Jamaica.

Salary 

Looking at the job market in Jamaica for English teachers, the current average teaching salary falls between 100,000 and 150,000 JMD per month ($640-$960/£507-£760). Salary can vary depending on experience, qualifications and where you teach English in Jamaica.

Benefits 

Teaching opportunities in Jamaica typically offer health insurance incentives and assistance with visas as part of their job offer. More prestigious institutions, such as international schools, may help with travel costs and accommodation.

Cost of living 

What about the cost of living in Jamaica? The first thing you’ll need to think about is rent. If, for example, you want to live in Kingston, and would prefer to live in the city centre, a typical monthly rent is about $736/£580 per month. If you venture a little outside the main metropolitan area, that cost reduces to $422/£333.

Utilities usually cost about $160/£126 - not bad considering that you will absolutely need air conditioning! As for sampling the Jamaican cuisine, you can have an inexpensive solo meal for about $6/£5, but a three-course meal for two in a mid-priced eaterie is usually about $64/£51.

Types of teaching jobs in Jamaica 

So, where can you teach in Jamaica? Are local schools the best bet, or are you best served teaching English in different kinds of institutions?

Public schools 

While English teaching jobs at the state school level typically go to Jamaican teachers, that’s not to say there aren’t school opportunities if you're teaching in Jamaica. You’ll usually need at least a bachelor’s degree, at least two years of experience and a TEFL certificate, and in return, you’ll usually command a decent wage (nearer to the 150,000 JMD ($960/£758) end of the scale) and classrooms of enthusiastic students.

Despite Jamaica putting significant investment into its state education system, the difference in standards between schools can be extreme. While some schools will be well-funded and equipped, there may be other schools where you’ll be expected to provide teaching materials and lesson plans. 

The Jamaican academic year runs from September to July, with the busiest hiring season being the summer.

Teach English in Kingston 

Home to over 660,000 people, Kingston is undoubtedly the cultural, political and economic hub of Jamaica. Nestled in the Blue Mountains, a famous agricultural spot with particularly gorgeous coffee, Kingston's history is punctuated by disaster and rapid expansion. Disaster in the form of earthquakes - one in 1692 that formed the city, and another in 1907. However, expansion came when reggae music boomed in the 1960s and 1970s. This and Caribbean political factors helped Kingston reimagine itself as a modern, international city.

For TEFL teachers, this history informs a couple of things. For one thing, Kingston is where the bulk of Jamaican English teaching jobs are, especially outside of state schools. Universities, language schools, the very few international schools - they’re mostly in Kingston. Another thing is that, through its cultural history and the immense pride Jamaica takes in its distinct form of English, TEFL teachers from other countries will have to adapt when they enter a Kingston classroom.

Kingston, as Jamaica’s centre of commerce, also provides ample opportunities for private tutoring. Like anywhere else, Jamaica is full of businesses that want to be part of the global economy. Therefore, Business English knowledge is a must, and there are opportunities for educators who want to help small businesses become players.

In terms of lifestyle, Kingston has fantastic music (obviously), a penchant for a good party on the weekends, but also a very hard-working and attentive base of students who are a joy to teach. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. How to become an English teacher in Jamaica?

    To become an English teacher in Jamaica, you’ll need a work visa, and that means securing employment before you head over. You can also enrol in volunteer teaching programmes, which do not have such strict criteria - as long as you have language skills!

  • Q. How much money do teachers make in Jamaica?

    The average salary for an English school teacher in Jamaica is between 100,000 and 150,000 JMD per month ($640-$960/£507-£760).

  • Q. What qualifications do you need to be a teacher in Jamaica?

    Usually, to meet job requirements as an English teacher in Jamaica, you’ll need a degree, a TEFL certification and some previous teaching experience. Requirements vary depending on the employer, but generally speaking, to teach in a classroom in Jamaica, these are the qualifications you'll need.

  • Q. How do I get a teaching license in Jamaica?

    Getting a teaching license in Jamaica is simple - apply online when you begin your contract there, and provide relevant documentation, including your degree, training certificates, passport and tax details.