Teach English as a Language Assistant in Argentina
'You will be able to fully immerse yourself in Argentinian culture'. Photo ©
ArtTower used under license and adapted from the original.
Teach English as an Language Assistant in Argentina
The Argentina programme is due to go ahead as normal in 2021/22. Applicants should note that the programme was cancelled for 2020-21 by our partners in Argentina due to Covid-19.
To be a Language Assistant in Argentina, you must:
hold a UK passport. Holders of other EU passports are not eligible for a post in Argentina
priority will be given to undergraduates studying a dual-language degree
have B1-level Spanish.
Posts in Argentina run from March to September.
For 2021/2 there will be no induction course in the UK. There may be an induction held for assistants by the Ministry of Education or the British Council in Argentina. This will be confirmed nearer the date.
Language Assistants in Argentina can expect to work approximately 18 hours per week. This is divided into 12 weekly hours of class time, and six hours preparation time.
Please be aware that the number of hours and your specific timetable can vary depending on the region and institution that you are allocated to.
How many posts are available in Argentina?
Every year there are 10 posts available in Argentina. As a result, places are very competitive, and candidates may be placed on a waiting list.
Argentina is the only Spanish-speaking country to offer six month placements. Priority will be given to undergraduates on their compulsory year abroad who are studying Spanish on a dual-languages degree, so please ensure you state this on your application.
All placements in Argentina involve working in a university or teacher training institution ('profesorado´) where the students are training to become English teachers. Some of the language assistants´ time may also be dedicated to teaching at additional institutions, for example at secondary school level.
Individuals applying to be language assistants in Argentina must be flexible and adaptable. Please note that some placements involve working at multiple institutions and working for one institution for a period of several weeks, before changing to work for a different institution. Some placements may also involve travel within the province where the assistant is based, to teach for a period of time in a different institution and part of the province.
Timetables involving both early morning and evening classes are also common.
Argentina experiences high levels of inflation (approximately 40%), so the monthly allowance changes considerably each year. As a result, the monthly allowance will be confirmed nearer the time of appointment.
Assistants in the Patagonian Region (including the provinces of La Pampa, Río Negro, Neuquén, Chubut, Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego) may receive a slightly higher allowance due to the higher cost of living in the area.
Yes, all assistants will be required to apply for a visa.
The Ministry of Education in Argentina manages the visa process in conjunction with the Argentine Embassy in the UK. The Ministry will give you instructions regarding obtaining the visa and put you in touch with the Embassy to carry out the process.
At this stage you should check the expiry date in your passport to ensure that your passport will not require renewal until at least six months after you will return to the UK.
In Argentina the academic calendar runs from March to December. The Language Assistant placement starts in mid-March and ends in early September. Typically, assistants can expect to receive the same school and national holidays as their institution.
Holidays vary by institution, however, all assistants receive two weeks holiday during July, with the exact dates depending on the institution as well as public holidays.
Please note that these dates are not confirmed but have been provided to help give you an idea of what the academic calendar may look like. Your institution will give you full details of your term dates when you begin your post.
Where can I go in Argentina?
As we do not expect to find out the location of the posts until shortly before departure, flexibility is essential when applying for an assistantship in Argentina. Argentina is a very culturally and geographically diverse country and, as a language assistant in Argentina, you could be based in any part of the country.
An ability to adapt to a very different culture, flexibility and resilience are essential for anyone considering a placement in Argentina.
Most posts in Argentina tend to be in towns or cities. However, you may find yourself allocated to a smaller town or more rural area. You may also find that you spend time during your placement travelling to and working in different parts of your allocated province.
Applicants should be aware that there are often no posts available in Buenos Aires.
You can specify a preference as to the region where you would like to be based. While all efforts will be made to meet your choice, we cannot guarantee your preferred region. Before applying, it is advisable that you research thoroughly the different provinces and think carefully about where you feel you would best be suited to being based.
I've worked as a Language Assistant in Argentina – can I apply again?
Unfortunately, Language Assistants in Argentina cannot apply for a consecutive year in the same country, although they are welcome to apply to work in a different country.
Argentina country notes for English language assistants 2019-20 (Adobe PDF 455KB)
The Welsh language in Patagonia: a brief history