Paid TEFL Internship in Peru 2027: Teach in Lima or Arequipa | ESLstarter
Experience teaching English and learning Spanish in Peru with this TEFL internship. Gain a qualification, earn a salary, and immerse yourself in Peruvian culture with full support provided.
TEFL internship in Peru
Teach English in Lima or Arequipa, earn a 170-hour TEFL qualification and learn Spanish, with training, airport pick-up and a local team supporting you throughout.
Teach English and learn Spanish in Peru
This paid internship is built for first-time teachers. You'll lead your own small classes of primary or secondary students, gain a 170-hour TEFL qualification with 20 hours of assessed teaching practice in Peru, and learn Spanish along the way.
Most placements are in Lima, around the coastal district of Miraflores, close to the beaches of the Costa Verde and the bohemian streets of Barranco. Others are in Arequipa, Peru's “White City”, set beneath the El Misti volcano.
You'll come home with a qualification, real classroom experience and a CV that opens doors to teaching jobs worldwide.
What's included
Everything you need to qualify, settle in and start teaching, for a £699 programme fee.
Local salary plus performance bonuses each month
Combined qualification with 20 hours of assessed practice in Peru
Free online lessons before you go, then in person in Miraflores
Training on arrival, with accommodation included
Met on arrival in Peru
Q&A with our in-country experts before you fly
Support finding somewhere to live after orientation
A local team on hand throughout your internship
Arrival groups every month, for 3 to 6 months
Who can apply?
- Native or near-native English
- A bachelor's degree in any subject is preferred, but not essential
- A passion for teaching and cultural exchange
- No teaching experience needed
- No Spanish needed
Not included: flights, visa costs (approximately US$200), accommodation after orientation, meals and personal expenses. Most interns bring some savings to cover their first month, before the first pay arrives.
Travel insurance is required for the whole of your internship. Without other health cover, SafetyWing's Complete plan is designed for people living and working abroad.
Compare insurance plansA team on your side
You won't be on your own. Our friendly local team meets you at the airport, runs your orientation and is there for you from your first lesson to your last, whether you need help with your classes, your flat or your Spanish.
How it works
Apply with ESLstarter
Send the form below and an advisor will contact you with next steps.
Reserve your place
Sign your agreement and pay the £350 deposit.
Prepare to go
Start your online Spanish lessons, join the pre-departure webinar and pay the balance a month before you fly.
Arrive in Peru
Airport pick-up, then a 3-day orientation with accommodation included.
Start teaching
Lead your own classes, complete your assessed practice and explore Peru.
Ceviche by the Pacific, the White City beneath a volcano, and Machu Picchu within reach. Peru is an unforgettable place to start teaching.
3 to 6 months is the perfect length to teach, learn and travel. · Read teacher stories
Your weekends in Peru
Peru packs an extraordinary amount into one country. From Lima or Arequipa you can reach the old Inca capital of Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, the striped slopes of Rainbow Mountain and the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world.
Closer to home, there are markets full of Andean textiles, Lima's famous food scene and Arequipa's colonial streets to explore. Your Spanish lessons mean you'll be chatting with locals sooner than you think.
Peru internship questions, answered
Where will I teach in Peru?
Placements are in Lima, mainly in and around Miraflores, and in Arequipa. You'll teach primary or secondary students at one of our partner schools, with small classes of around 10 to 20 students. Your school is confirmed during the placement process, and we take your preferences into account wherever we can.
How much does the Peru TEFL internship cost?
The programme fee is £699. You pay a £350 deposit to reserve your place, and the balance is due one month before you travel. The fee includes your 170-hour Combined TEFL qualification, Spanish lessons, a 3-day orientation with accommodation, airport pick-up and ongoing in-country support. Please note that payments are non-refundable once made, so ask us anything you're unsure about before you book.
Do interns get paid?
Yes. You receive a local salary plus performance-related bonuses, which can total up to US$600 a month. Peru's cost of living is low compared with the UK, so this covers a modest, comfortable lifestyle. We recommend bringing some savings for your first month, as you'll have set-up costs such as a rent deposit before your first pay.
What isn't included?
Flights, visa costs (approximately US$200), accommodation after the 3-day orientation, meals and personal expenses. We help you find housing, and you'll need health and travel insurance for the whole internship.
Do I need to speak Spanish or have a degree?
You don't need Spanish to apply. Free online Spanish lessons start before you arrive, with more in-person lessons in Miraflores. You need native or near-native English. A bachelor's degree is preferred but not essential.
How long is the internship and when can I start?
Internships last 3 to 6 months, and there are arrival groups every month, so you can choose a start date that suits you.
Ready for Peru?
Arrival groups leave every month. Applying takes five minutes.
