Finding English Teaching Jobs in Colombia
Colombia’s job market supports both remote pre-arrival applications and in-person ground-level search — more flexible than Guatemala or Peru. International schools recruit remotely; language schools prefer in-person or video. Here’s the full strategy.
When to apply and arrive
Colombia’s school year starts in January (February in some schools). The peak hiring window for K-12, bilingual, and international school positions is November–January. Language schools hire year-round, with secondary peaks in July–August ahead of second-semester starts. Unlike Guatemala or Peru, many Colombian language school positions can be secured remotely before arrival — making Colombia more flexible for teachers who want a confirmed position before travelling.
| Period | Market activity | Best move |
|---|---|---|
| November–January | Peak — all school types hiring | Best window for all positions; arrive November |
| July–August | Language school secondary peak; semester 2 | Good for language school positions |
| February–May | Some language school openings; quieter | Possible but expect slower search |
| September–October | Int’l school pipeline building for January | Submit int’l school applications now for Jan |
| Year-round | Language schools always have some openings | Roll with it; peak timing helps significantly |
Online job search resources
General job boards
Dave’s ESL Café — Colombia section; one of the most reliable job boards for Colombia · TEFL.com — Colombia listings · TES — international school positions · Computrabajo — Colombia’s largest local job board; “profesor de inglés” search · LinkedIn — Bogotá and Medellín international school positions · Indeed Colombia — language school listings
School websites
Most major Colombian language schools post vacancies on their own websites. Berlitz Colombia, British Council Colombia, Colombo Americano — all post job listings. International schools post vacancies September–November for January positions. Direct application to school HR departments is both possible and often effective in Colombia — more so than in Guatemala or Peru where in-person is the overwhelming norm.
Facebook groups
Teaching English in Colombia · TEFL Jobs in Bogotá · Expats in Medellín · Bogotá Expats · ESL Teachers in Colombia. These groups carry job listings, school reviews, and real-time teacher community information. The most reliable source for current school reputation and visa sponsorship practices — far more useful than any official description.
Government programme applications
TEC (Teach English Colombia) — applications via the official TEC programme website; deadlines vary annually but typically September–November for January starts. US citizenship required. SENA — contact individual SENA centres directly. Colombia English Ambassador Programme — through official Colombian government education channels.
The in-person search in Colombia
Colombia’s language school market supports both remote and in-person applications more evenly than Peru or Guatemala. Large chains (Berlitz, EF, British Council) conduct initial applications online and hold video interviews; in-person visits are for smaller independents and follow-up interviews. The ground-level approach remains useful but is not as essential as in Guatemala. A combined strategy — apply online to major chains before arrival, visit smaller schools in-person during the first week — is the most effective approach.
Apply remotely to major chains before arriving
British Council, Berlitz, Colombo Americano, EF, Wall Street English — all have formal online application processes that work well remotely. Apply 4–6 weeks before your intended arrival, especially during November–January. Video interviews are standard. Confirm M visa sponsorship in the application process, not after receiving an offer.
Visit smaller independents in-person
Prepare printed CV, TEFL certificate, and degree copies. Walk the school landscape in your target neighbourhood — in Chapinero (Bogotá) or Laureles/Poblado (Medellín), a day of in-person visits can cover 8–12 schools. Ask to speak with the coordinator académico or director de estudios. Leave your CV regardless of immediate openings — turnover creates positions regularly throughout the year.
Build the community network
Facebook groups, language exchange events, expat teacher meetups — Colombia’s established teacher community in Bogotá and Medellín is a practical resource for current job leads. Teachers already established in-country know which schools have openings, which pay reliably, and which to avoid. This community intelligence is more valuable than any job board.
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Specialist recruiters for international school positions
Colombia’s international school positions are filled through specialist international teacher recruiters — the same channels used for international school recruitment globally. TES (Times Educational Supplement), Search Associates, ISS (International Schools Services), and Schrole are the primary platforms. Applications for January starts begin September–October.
For international school positions in Colombia specifically, it’s also worth contacting schools directly — Colegio Gran Bretaña, American School of Bogotá, Colombo Americano — alongside recruiter platforms. Colombia’s international schools recruit both through global platforms and through their own direct application processes.
Colombia teaching contract checklist
| Item | What to verify |
|---|---|
| M visa sponsorship | Confirmed in writing; who covers application fee ($282 USD) |
| Salary | Monthly COP amount; whether USD or COP; payment date |
| Health insurance | EPS (Colombian system) enrollment; who covers contribution |
| Cedula assistance | Does HR guide you through the 15-day cedula registration process? |
| Teaching hours | Minimum guaranteed hours per week; pay for preparation time |
| Exclusivity | Can you take private students or work at other schools? |
| Contract duration | Fixed-term or indefinite; renewal terms; notice period |
| Holiday pay | Colombian public holidays (numerous); paid or unpaid? |
| Social security (SIRE) | Employer must register hiring in SIRE; confirm compliance |
SIRE compliance: Under Colombian labour law, employers must register the hiring of foreign workers in the SIRE (Sistema de Información para el Reporte de Extranjeros) system. Employers who fail to do this face heavy fines. As a foreign teacher, you should confirm your employer registers in SIRE — it’s a sign of a legally compliant employer and directly affects your employment protection.
Finding jobs FAQ
How long does it typically take to find a language school position?
During November–January peak: 1–3 weeks for a TEFL-certified teacher with good qualifications, using both online and in-person channels. During quieter periods (March–May): 2–5 weeks. In Bogotá and Medellín, the large volume of schools means that persistent daily effort — online applications + physical school visits — generates responses within 1–2 weeks in most cases. Arrive with 4–6 weeks of savings to cover the search and waiting period before first paycheque.
Can I secure a position before arriving in Colombia?
Yes — more easily than in Peru or Guatemala. Major chains (Berlitz, EF, British Council, Colombo Americano) all run formal remote application processes and conduct video interviews. International schools recruit entirely remotely through specialist platforms months in advance. Many language schools will do video interviews and extend conditional offers before you arrive. Having a confirmed position (and ideally a confirmed M visa sponsorship) before travelling gives you a cleaner financial and legal start. Arrive with savings regardless — even confirmed positions may have delays before first payment.
Ready to teach English abroad?
Colombia is one of Latin America’s most exciting and fastest-growing TEFL markets. TEFL Heaven places teachers across Southeast Asia, Europe, and Latin America — browse our full program range to find your best fit.
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