How does the programme operate in Colombia?
The Language Assistants Programme is a bi-lateral mobility programme. We work with our partner organisation, ICETEX, to send English Language Assistants to schools and Universities in Colombia.
You can find a timeline of what to expect if you apply for Colombia in the lifecycle document at the bottom of this page.
Am I eligible for a placement in Colombia?
To be a Language Assistant in Colombia, at the time of application you must:
- fulfil the general eligibility criteria
- have B1-level Spanish
- be aged over 20
- have a minimum of 6 formal or informal months teaching experience
- not have only a Colombian passport or hold dual citizenship with Colombia.
When will I start my placement?
Posts in Colombia run from 1 August 2025 - 31 May 2026.
Will there be an induction course?
ICETEX will inform you of the details of the in-person or online induction nearer the time of your placement start date. Past induction events have been held in Bogotá with all assistants from the British Council and other international programmes being invited.
How many hours will I work per week?
Language Assistants in Colombia can expect to work approximately 18 contact hours per week. Please be aware that the number of hours worked, your specific timetable and working pattern can vary depending on the region and institution that you are allocated to. You may be expected to work in the evenings, at weekends and some of your hours may be online.
What holidays will I have?
In Colombia the academic calendar is divided in two semesters. The first semester runs from the last week of January to the last week of May. The second semester runs from August to the first week of December.
Typically, assistants can expect to receive the same school and national holidays as their institution.
Holidays often vary by region and sometimes institution, however as an indication, it is likely that you may receive:
- between two and four weeks during December-January
- recess week in October
- Holy week during Easter celebrations
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, but you should be aware that some institutions will have longer holiday periods than others.
You may also wish to view the calendar of national holidays in Colombia.
What type of institution will I be working in?
Most placements in Colombia are at university level, teaching English to students who are eager to develop their proficiency in the language.
You may also be offered opportunities to take on more responsibility in the classroom, which will add to your professional development.
Your pupils will likely be young adults who are students at your allocated university.
How many posts are available in Colombia?
Every year there are approximately 25 posts available in Colombia. The strongest applicants for a post in Colombia will have a minimum of six months of teaching experience and priority will be given to applicants who have studied a language at university.
Where can I go in Colombia?
The location of placements in Colombia varies from year to year depending on the host institution’s business need for an English Language Assistant. As a guide all applicants can select their regional preferences based on previous regions that have hosted a Language Assistant.
Exact locations of the placements are subject to change, and we cannot guarantee that there will be placements available in your preferred area. Applicants must therefore be flexible and willing to accept a placement in an area they may not have considered.
Medellín and Cali are highly popular destinations. There are usually very limited places available there, and so applicants need to be willing to include other locations as alternatives.
Posts will not be offered in unsafe areas of the country following a risk assessment between the British Council and ICETEX.
As an indication, in previous years, assistants were allocated to posts at universities in the following cities:
- Barranquilla
- Bogotá
- Bucaramanga
- Calí
- Choco
- Cartagena
- Manizales
- Medellín
- Neiva
- Quibdo
- Sincelejo
- Tunja
- Villavicencio
How much will I be paid?
Assistants can expect to earn around COP $3,000,000 per month.
ICETEX is responsible for setting the salary of language assistants and this amount should therefore be treated as indicative and may be subject to change.
What are the costs involved?
Applicants should also be aware that there are significant costs associated with moving to Colombia. However, these costs will occur at different stages of the process, from pre-departure administration to arrival in Colombia. Costs are likely to include:
Pre-departure (April to July):
- International Child Protection Certificate (£99)
- Travel to nearest Colombian consulate to administer the visa application (The ICETEX visa is currently free, although this is subject to change).
- Flights to Colombia (£1,000-£1,500 return)
- Travel costs to placement location (£160- £300)
In post (before receiving first payment):
- Accommodation costs including initial temporary accommodation and deposit for permanent accommodation in Colombia (£160- £300)
- Residency permit costs on arrival (£60)
- Costs for initial few months – your first payment may be delayed until September or October, so you will need sufficient funds for this time. Previous assistants have recommended budgeting for at least two months without pay (£600-700)
We encourage you to read more about the monthly allowance and how much money we recommend budgeting for Colombia in section 9 of the destination guide (available at the bottom of this page).
Will I need a visa?
Assistants going to Colombia will have to apply for an ICETEX courtesy visa to cover the duration of their time in Colombia.
ICETEX will issue with a visa supporting letter around June/July time which is needed to apply for your visa. To be issued with the supporting letter, you must provide a colour copy of your passport ensuring that it is valid for at lest 6 months after your return date to the UK.
The Colombian courtesy visa is currently free. The visa application is an online process, although, some Language Assistants in previous years were required to travel to their nearest Colombian embassy to process their visa.
Please note that visa requirements can change at short notice, the British Council cannot be held responsible for any changes to the visa process.
I've worked as a Language Assistant in Colombia – can I apply again?
If you are currently working as a Language Assistant in Colombia, you can apply for a consecutive year through the British Council. Language Assistants are not able to participate in the program in Colombia for more than two school years, consecutive or not. For more information and to find out how to apply, please follow the guidance for consecutive year Language Assistants.
If you have previously been an Assistant in Colombia but are not currently and would like to apply to the programme again, please follow the guidance for returning applicants.
Where can I get information about my placement from?
The guide for Language Assistants in Colombia 2024-25 is available below. This information has been provided for reference and is subject to change each year. Updated guidance for Assistants going out on placement in 2025-26 will be available in summer 2025.