Teach English in Nicaragua

Fun, adventurous and cheap, Nicaragua is one of the safer countries in the region. Only recently discovered by the tourist hordes, it is no surprise tourists are now making a beeline for this Central American country. Colonial architecture, white sandy beaches, volcanoes, lakes, and diverse flora and fauna are just a taste of what you can discover in Nicaragua.

With a multi-ethnic population of Europeans, Africans, Asians and those with Middle Eastern origins, Nicaragua is an interesting mix of cultures, architecture, food and music. Granada should be your destination if you enjoy wandering the streets admiring colourful Spanish buildings and churches; head over to San Juan del Sur to surf and hang out at a cheap bar on the beach; or go to Ometepe Island to hike a volcano.

Travelling can be difficult around Nicaragua at times. Not because of the actual transport systems but the directions and names of places. Let us explain first of all Nicaragua doesn’t have street names. Instead, it’s a unique address system where the addresses are contextual.

So if you were looking for your hotel you might approach someone and the response will be “head south past the post offices, turn left and go one block past the church and then at the museum you’ll find your hotel next door”. It’s a system the Nicaraguans are proud to have different to compare to the rest of the world and it doesn’t cause any inconvenience to the locals. For travellers be extra vigilant of your surroundings as the time those same landmarks could come in very handy when discovering new areas.

Lake Nicaragua is a stunning freshwater lake running the length of Nicaragua. It’s the 19th largest lake in the world and for decades it was believed to be landlocked until 1961 an influx of bull sharks helped identify that this wasn’t the case. The bull sharks interestingly were discovered to modify their physiology to cope with freshwater surroundings when entering from the usual saltwater ocean.

Don’t come to Nicaragua to get rich. Instead, Nicaragua should be considered if you are looking for a really special teaching experience and an adventurous lifestyle. There are language schools, universities and international schools where you can find a TEFL position, mostly in Leon, Managua, Granada, and San Juan del Sur. Schools hire year-round, except for December, when everyone is on holiday.

Employers prefer to do interviews face-to-face rather than on Skype so it is preferable to be in the country when you are looking for a position. It is common to arrive and work on a tourist visa, though this is not strictly legal.

When it comes to teaching English in Nicaragua, having a BA/BS degree is preferred but not always a strict requirement.

The typical contract length for English teaching positions in Nicaragua can vary from one to twelve months, providing flexibility for educators.

The peak hiring seasons occur in January-February and July, although opportunities are available year-round, allowing teachers to find positions at various times. In terms of visa requirements, teachers typically enter the country on a tourist visa and then obtain a work permit to teach legally.

While teaching English in Nicaragua, you can expect to work with both children and adults as your typical students, offering a diverse range of teaching experiences. In terms of the cost of living, the average monthly expenses range from 15,000 to 23,500 NIO, which provides a relatively affordable lifestyle.

Additionally, English teachers can anticipate an average monthly salary ranging from 15,000 to 70,000 NIO, depending on their qualifications and experience.

Teaching English in Nicaragua offers a rewarding opportunity to engage with a mixed student population, experience the vibrant local culture, and earn a competitive salary while enjoying a reasonable cost of living.

Great! You’re in the right place. The TEFL Academy provides the very best in accredited TEFL courses, meaning your qualification is recognised throughout the world. The TEFL Academy is the world’s leading TEFL course provider. We can help you acquire the skills needed to teach English as a foreign language. Check out our TEFL internships, volunteer placements and the thousands of jobs on our exclusive TEFL jobs board.