Colombia—the motherland of coffee, Shakira, and adventures. Boasting diverse landscapes of the Andes Mountains, two different coasts, and jungles, you can be rest assured that you’ll wake up to stunning surroundings every day while you teach English abroad in Colombia. From SCUBA diving and whale watching to ancient ruins and colonial cities, you’ll also have plenty of things to do and see in your free time. With a relatively low cost of living and a safer environment, you can’t go wrong with exploring new sites and relishing hearty soups, plantains, arepas, and other national dishes.

Teaching in Colombia, AKA meeting amazing people, eating tasty foods, adventuring daily, and stocking up on treasured souvenirs.
As Colombia is a Spanish-speaking country, teaching English in Colombia is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the language while practicing with hospitable and friendly locals. (Hola, resume booster!) Colombia’s government recognizes the economic and cultural importance of a bilingual country, and more and more ESL jobs in Colombia are available every year. Several teaching jobs are offered, such as fellowships and assistantships from a few weeks to a year in rural and urban settings. GoAbroad has gathered teaching jobs in Colombia that we recommend to help you choose an experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life!
Here’s a sneak peek at our list of the best teaching jobs in Colombia this year:
- International Volunteer HQ
- Minga House Foundation — 2-4 weeks Teacher’s Assistant
- Connections — Teach English in Colombia with Spanish, salsa, and more!
- Teaching House CELTA — Bogota
- International TEFL Academy: Get TEFL Certified & Get Paid to Teach English in Colombia
Recommended programs for teaching jobs in Colombia this year
Editor’s note: This information was accurate at the time of publishing. Please refer to each individual program for current data.

1. International Volunteer HQ—9.53
“Volunteering in Colombia for two weeks was the best experience in the world. I had an incredible time and met so many incredible people along the way. I loved getting to spend time working with and getting to know like-minded people. The projects I worked in involved children who were sweet as can be and made it extremely hard to leave. The only bad part of my trip was when I had to say goodbye.”—Read more reviews of IVHQ.
- Where? Bogota, Colombia
- When? Year round
- Why? For over 10 years, International Volunteer HQ has placed over 90,000 volunteers in a plethora of locations—you won’t be disappointed when you teach English abroad in Colombia through their popular program. IVHQ boasts safety, affordability, variety, and experience. Whether you’re interested in teaching in Colombia for a week or 6 months, you’ll have plenty of program support that will assist with any needs you may have and join a large volunteer network.
- More program info

2. Minga House Foundation — 2-4 weeks Teacher’s Assistant—9.5
“I am a teacher and came to Minga House during my school vacation time. I had the opportunity to work on developing English curriculum and teach several classes in a local school. Everyone could not have been more welcoming and kind. The accommodations were extremely comfortable. The staff was really focused on fulfilling my needs and desires from the program. I taught a few days of English in the local primary school and was given a lot of authority to teach whatever I wanted, though they are working on developing a more standardized curriculum. Furthermore, coffee country is beautiful and well worth a visit.”—Read more reviews of Minga House Foundation here.
- Where? Manizales
- When? 2-4 weeks, 3-6 months, year round
- Why? Minga House offers an opportunity for you to gain experience as a teacher with the guidance and support of a Colombian certified teacher. Teaching jobs in Colombia are plentiful: You can also choose the grade level, subject material, and rural or urban setting. If you have teaching experience, you can lead classes as a co-teacher as well. The program’s fee is low, and you’ll have 24/7 staff support and opportunities to attend workshops and events in a mountainous city with volcanic views.
- More program info

3. Connections—Teach English in Colombia with Spanish, salsa, and more!—Be the First to Review
- Where? Ibague
- When? 1-2 years, multiple years, year round
- Why? Here’s your opportunity to gain international experience as a teacher for 20 hours a week with a quality-certified English institution. You’ll learn salsa with professional dancers, receive free meals and Spanish classes, and try out activities like rappelling and rock climbing. Plus, Ibague lies in the Andean mountains in western Colombia, and with a strong musical heritage and surrounding volcanoes, you’ll immerse yourself in a beautiful setting to experience a true Colombian lifestyle.
- More program info

4. Teaching House CELTA—Be the First to Review
- Where? Bogota
- When? Year round
- Why? Gain the skills necessary to be a rockstar English teacher while earning your CELTA certificate in the heart of Colombia. With small class sizes, practicums, and job placement assistance, you’ll benefit two-fold with this program. The school is also within walking distance of the Simon Bolivar Plaza, where you’ll view panoramic views of governmental palaces in downtown Bogota.
- More program info

5. International TEFL Academy: Get TEFL Certified & Get Paid to Teach English in Colombia—Be the First to Review
- Where? Armenia, Bakar, Barrancabermeja, Barranquilla, Bogota, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartagena, Cartago, Cucuta, Gidarot, Ibague, Leticia, Manizales, Medellin, Monteria, Neiva, Palmira, Rural Areas, Santa Marta, Turbo, Uraba, Villavicencio
- When? Year round
- Why? As GoAbroad's 2018 People's Choice Award Winner For Best International Education Organization, it’s no wonder why we recommend this program for teaching English in Colombia! ITA offers an advisor, housing assistance, lifetime job placement, and a competitive salary. You can earn your TEFL certificate online on in person, and you’ll have access to plenty of social and networking events. Program durations also vary from a few months to a few years, so you can jump start or continue your teaching career abroad.
- More program info
[Browse ALL Teaching Jobs in Colombia]
You’re ready to teach abroad in Colombia!

Give students a brighter future while teaching English in Colombia.
The majority of teaching jobs in Colombia will provide an extensive amount of program support with your visa, accommodation, and placement orientation. Accommodation options usually range from host families, guest housing, apartments, or dormitories. For requirements, most programs look for participants that have a bachelor’s degree and speak English as a native language. Additionally, many programs offer unique cultural events, where you could learn salsa, visit landmarks, and network with other volunteers and professionals. Grade levels, subjects, and placements vary depending on the program, but you have a wide array of options and flexibility!
While most ESL jobs in Colombia are on a volunteer basis, most programs offer a stipend every month to cover living costs. Program fee varies, but ones with government funding are usually more affordable. You can also look into fundraising through FundMyTravel to help you cover airfare and program fee costs. Teaching English in Colombia is a wise investment to gain international experience, Spanish language acquisition, and professional skills. Most of all, you’ll be making a difference in the lives of Colombians by helping them improve their English skills that will immensely benefit their personal and professional lives!
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