Job Discussion Forums

Regi · Joined: 18 May 2014 Posts: 11 Location: Halifax, UK

Hi everyone

I recently finished my CELTA course and would like to go to either Bogotá or Santa Marta to teach. Could someone please tell me if there are any types of teaching positions or schools which wouldn't be open to a newly-qualified teacher with no degree?

Many thanks for your help.

rollerblader · Joined: 01 Jul 2014 Posts: 20

My friend, The world is littered with educated hopefuls. Your options are going to be quite limited. If you show up in country with a decent hair cut and professional clothing your chances of finding a ground level job teaching at hole in the wall institutes will brighten somewhat. The days of hiring backpackers to teach the English language are long gone.

esl_prof · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 11:22 am Post subject:

A degree, obviously, increases your odds of finding work. But at least one forum member has found work with a Celta and no degree and seems to be doing quite well, so it can be done if you plan ahead.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=107685

Before you go, make sure you have enough of a savings cushion to support yourself while looking for work as well as pay start up costs like rent deposits, etc. when you get settled. And, most importantly, have enough cash on hand for a return ticket home should things not work out for you.

Be sure to read through the old threads on this forum as we've discussed these issues in-depth before. Good starting points include:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=109537

and

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=108685

and

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=109031

Regi · Joined: 18 May 2014 Posts: 11 Location: Halifax, UK

The info is much appreciated, esl prof. My partner is Colombian and lives there, so accommodation, etc. isn't really a problem. I'm off to Cucuta in September as that's where she and her family live.

Rollerblader, thanks for the info, but please don't assume things about me - I'm not a shoddily-clothed backpacker. I'm a forty-year-old well-presented man who has worked full-time all his life.

esl_prof · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 12:22 pm Post subject:

Regi · Joined: 18 May 2014 Posts: 11 Location: Halifax, UK

I'll be sure to do that, and thanks for the advice.

Xie Lin · Joined: 21 Oct 2011 Posts: 731

esl_prof · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 1:17 am Post subject:

spanglish · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 742 Location: working on that

CELTA matters more than the degree in Colombia from my experience. Eventually, lack of degree will close off some options.

International House in Bogota would take you and they seem to hire from abroad, decent as a first gig.

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

I think that you would find work after a bit of job hunting... Yes, use the family connections and mention them in the interviews (you will look more of a safe option). CELTA is a big plus!

I would teach anywhere else but Bogota personally (too big, lots of commuting for teachers, and quite cold).

spanglish · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 742 Location: working on that

Ya, certainly talk to your contacts. If you want to work in Cucuta, they'll be able to recommend the 'best' high schools there, some of which may hire foreigners.

Regi · Joined: 18 May 2014 Posts: 11 Location: Halifax, UK

Thanks again everyone for your helpful advice.

As a bit of an update, through her contacts, my girlfriend has found an apartment (currently being refurbished) for 500.000 pesos in a decent area.