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teach english in paraguay

Teach English in Paraguay

Like a lot of South America, Paraguay is underrepresented in the TEFL world, and people don’t realise there are great jobs available to talented teachers.

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One of the real highlights of South America, landlocked Paraguay is a truly interesting place to teach English as a foreign language. If you love nature and ecology, Paraguay has an immense amount to offer, from the plains of the Gran Chaco to Cerro Corá or Ybycuí national parks, with achingly beautiful waterfalls aplenty. Animal lovers can rejoice - nearly 700 species of birds and nearly 120 reptiles live within Paraguay’s borders, making the country a hotspot for naturalists.

From an architectural and historical perspective, metropolitan areas like the capital city, Asuncion, are teeming with sights that remain somewhat bafflingly undervalued by international tourism. Paraguay doesn’t welcome many guests, and more's the pity. They miss out on delights like the Palacio de los Lopez, Casa de la Independencia, and neighbourhoods like Loma San Jeronimo.

The low tourist numbers are an important factor for English teachers to think about. Linguistically, and certainly in terms of English, Paraguay is an interesting country. Its rates of English proficiency are actually pretty high, especially for South America as a whole, but English isn’t very widely spoken. Paraguayan Guarani and Spanish are the official languages, yet there’s still some demand for English teachers in Paraguay.

So, let’s take a look at a really underrated South American gem. What does Paraguay have to offer English teachers? Are there teaching opportunities to be had in “Corazón de América”? What about the average teaching salary in Paraguay, and the cost of living? It’s time to put teaching English in Paraguay under the microscope.

Paraguay: an overview

Understanding Paraguay's linguistic culture better can help us get an idea of what it’s like to teach English there. Moreover, it can help us understand what teaching opportunities exist for ESL teachers. Paraguay's linguistic situation stands out even by Latin American standards.

The official languages of Paraguay are Spanish and Paraguayan Guarani. Nearly 90% of the country can speak Spanish, and about 90% can speak Guarani. In rural areas, Guarani is dominant. A range of indigenous and minority languages are also spoken in Paraguay. So, how does English fit into the picture?

Typically, English is only taught in private and international schools or by tutors. It’s not always taught at the state school level, though it can be an option for students at high school. Yet, despite this limited availability, English proficiency rates are surprisingly high. Paraguay ranks 45th out of 113 countries on the EF English Proficiency Index. Proficiency rates are highest among 26-30 year olds.

Requirements for teaching English in Paraguay

To teach English in Paraguay and find rewarding teaching jobs, it’s better to have a degree and prior teaching experience alongside your TEFL certificate. However, it’s not mandatory. Broadly speaking, Paraguayan requirements are similar to those of neighbouring countries like Brazil, Argentina, Chile or Ecuador - employers set the tone in terms of requirements rather than visa regulations. If you’re looking to teach abroad without much in the way of experience, or you don’t have a degree, it is possible.

Before we get into specifics about the requirements for job opportunities in Paraguay, it’s worth noting that you don’t need to be a native English speaker to teach abroad in Paraguay. While some employers might prefer a native speaker for their teaching jobs, non-native speakers are usually welcome to apply for all sorts of different roles. Teaching skills, as demonstrated by qualifications like a TEFL certificate (a degree also helps) and evidence of English fluency, such as an IELTS or TOEFL certificate, are normally enough.

TEFL certification

ESL teachers need TEFL certification of at least 120 hours to teach English in Paraguay.

Usually, Paraguayan students will either look for basic English lessons or have specific goals. Learning outcomes will typically revolve around career progression or educational opportunities in English-speaking countries. So it’s helpful to have an advanced TEFL certificate. Completing a TEFL course in Business English, English for Academic Purposes or Exam Preparation, for example, can really help your students. It can also be crucial in helping you to find work.

Degree

A bachelor’s degree isn’t always a strict requirement to teach English in Paraguay, but it does improve your chances of finding teaching opportunities. As a rule, the more qualifications you have on your CV, the better your chances, especially if you have a degree in education or English. That said, you can teach English abroad without a degree in Paraguay, particularly in private language schools.

Experience

Much like having a bachelor’s degree, teaching experience can certainly help you find teaching jobs, and there will undoubtedly be employers who insist upon it. However, it isn’t always mandatory, and it depends on the employer - not all teaching jobs are the same. Prior teaching experience will be held in particular esteem by elite institutions like private schools and international schools, who are also insistent on degrees.

Visa

The conditions for an initial visa in Paraguay are incredibly straightforward. You’ll need to supply a range of documents, including your passport, flight itinerary and visa application form. An initial visa is valid for 90 days.

You'll need a valid work visa to teach English in Paraguay. The process for obtaining a work visa involves providing the following documents:

A valid job offer from a Paraguayan employer
A clean criminal record
A birth certificate
A valid passport with at least six months remaining before expiry
A valid police clearance certificate
A degree or professional certificate in the field of work

Download our teaching English in Latin America guide

Salary, benefits and cost of living

Like teaching abroad in other parts of South America, Paraguay’s teaching salaries aren’t the highest, but that’s contrasted against a low cost of living. On average, Paraguayans earn about £293/$380 per month, but in Paraguay, teaching jobs—especially in private institutions—can offer 2 to 3 times as much.

So, what is the average salary for an English teacher in Paraguay? What kind of benefits should teachers expect to receive throughout the school year, and what’s the cost of living like? Let’s take a closer examination.

Salary

The average salary for an English teacher in Paraguay is between PYG 3,971,355 and 7,942,710 (£385-£770/$500-$1,000). English teaching salaries can vary based on experience, qualifications and where in Paraguay you’re based. Cities like Asuncion and San Lorenzo will typically yield higher teaching salaries and more opportunities.

In terms of private tutoring, you can normally expect clients to be able to pay around £3-8/$4-10 per hour, based on average monthly income.

Benefits

What kinds of benefits can you expect while teaching English in Paraguay? Though salaries are modest, as is often the case while teaching English in South America, you’ll find that teachers are treated well. Typically, English teachers can expect to see paid leave, health insurance, sick days, and even lesson plans included in their contracts.

International schools may include perks like accommodation and performance bonuses, but this is far less common.

Cost of living

Now we know what English language teaching jobs in Paraguay will pay, and what kinds of benefits are included, it’s crucial for ESL teachers to know the cost of living. Let’s take a look at the capital of Paraguay, Asuncion. Do teaching jobs cover the cost of living? Can you live well on a teaching salary?

On average, a single person’s monthly costs come to about £333/$432 before rent. So, let’s start with accommodation costs: in Asuncion, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is approximately £325/$422. Outside the city centre, rents fall to £258/$336.

Basic utilities cost about £34/$44 per month, while internet access costs around £14/$18, depending on the provider - great if you plan on teaching English online!

There isn’t a rail network in Asuncion, where bus is king. So, you’ll need to buy a Jaha card or a Mas card. These cost 25,000 PYG (£2.60/$3.30). You can use the bus to find excellent Paraguayan cafes and restaurants so you can try out the local cuisine. A solo meal at an inexpensive restaurant averages £3/$4, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs about £18/$23.

Country	Avg. monthly salary	Degree required	Start of term	Teaching experience	Housing & flights included	Suitable for non-native English speakers	Age restrictions
Teach in Paraguay	3,971,355 - 7,942,710 PYG £385-£770 GBP $500-$1,000 USD		February to December	Preferred			None

Jobs

Where can English teachers find rewarding, exciting work in Paraguay?

The best opportunities for teaching English in Paraguay can be found in the major cities. In rural areas, English is barely spoken, but you can find some international schools, private schools and private language schools teaching English in cities like Asuncion, Ciudad del Este and San Lorenze.

Public schools
Private language schools
International schools
Private tutoring

Public schools

It’s less common for English to be taught in public schools. However, it is provided as an option in some high schools, usually in the bigger cities, and when that is the case, there are jobs.

You’ll need to have your ear to the ground and be available locally to find work in public schools in Paraguay, as these jobs aren’t normally widely advertised online. Usually, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certificate and some experience.

Private language schools

Largely based in Asuncion, private language schools are a useful option for anyone hoping to teach English in Paraguay.

You don’t necessarily need a degree to teach in most private language schools, but you will need a TEFL certificate and, ideally, some experience. Proficiency in Spanish is super helpful, but don’t worry if your vocabulary is limited.

International schools

Like private language schools, international schools are mostly found in and around Asuncion. They offer the highest salaries and, unlike language schools, have strict entry requirements for English teachers.

You’ll need at least a master’s, usually in English or education, as well as considerable teaching experience and completion of at least one TEFL course. In return, expect high wages and excellent benefits, as well as small class sizes.

Private tutoring

If you’re keen to work with adults who are keen to explore career and educational opportunities or young people who want to take up English, private tutoring is an excellent option. You’ll need a permanent teaching job to teach English in Paraguay more broadly, but as a way to boost your income, private tutoring is tough to beat.

Students will be looking for either basic English lessons or something specific. Usually, Business English or English for Academic Purposes are the biggest draws since students will be keen to increase their earning potential or will be seeking a space in an English-speaking university.

Teach English in Asuncion

One of the biggest appeals of teaching English abroad in South America is the blend of cultures that can be found in major cities. Asuncion, Paraguay’s buzzing capital city, is an amazing example of this. While it doesn’t boast the size of Brasilia or the international tourism of Buenos Aires, it does have a unique blend of Guarani and Spanish culture. Moreover, there are some amazing sights, like Ypacarai Lake, Palacio de Lopez and Museo del Barro, while at night, you can enjoy the vibrant underground electronic music scene.

As for the classroom, the most prevalent English teaching jobs in Asuncion are in language schools, private tutoring, and international schools. Public school teaching jobs in Paraguay are extremely limited, let alone in Asuncion, but there are people seeking English lessons for career advancement and educational opportunities. You'll need at least a TEFL certificate to land a job teaching English in the capital.

It’s also a pretty cheap place to live, compared to other major cities in South America. Rent is cheaper than Buenos Aires, for example, as is food and drink. The quality of life is also worth considering - health care performs strongly, and the climate is good, though pollution and traffic are negative factors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much does an English teacher make in Paraguay?

A typical salary for an English teacher in Paraguay is between PYG 3,971,355 and 7,942,710 (£385-£770/$500-$1,000). Teaching jobs in international schools typically pay the highest wage.

Q. Is English widely spoken in Paraguay?

English isn’t widely spoken in Paraguay, but where it is spoken, it’s articulated to a high level. Middle-class Paraguayans aged between 26 and 30 have a good level of English proficiency.

Q. What currency is used in Paraguay?

The currency used in Paraguay is the Paraguayan Guarani. Many teaching jobs in Paraguay advertise wages in US dollars to attract teachers from overseas.

Q. Can foreigners work in Paraguay?

Yes, foreigners can work in Paraguay. There are teaching jobs in Paraguay available to talented English teachers who have a TEFL certificate. Some jobs will require teaching experience and a degree. You don't have to be a native English speaker to apply.