Job Discussion Forums

[teachertomthailand]

I have been studying Spanish now for a year and I am wondering if Americans can now work in Havana, Cuba. I would even volunteer there if it would include some Spanish classes. A little about me: I have a TEFL, a CELTA and I am currently working on getting a masters in ESL. I taught for 2 years in China. I love Cuban music and dancing and I would like to become fluent in Spanish.

If anyone has any suggestions about working or volunteering there I would appreciate it.

[nomad soul]

Since your priority seems to be learning Spanish via language immersion, there are other Spanish speaking countries and opportunities you could focus on instead. For example, the Peace Corps has projects in Latin America that include Spanish lessons.

Otherwise, start with a Google search on: volunteer teach english cuba for links to volunteer organizations. You could also email the US Embassy to ask about upcoming government-funded English projects and for names of NGOs that might be operating in Cuba.

Cubans are serious about education and tend to be well-educated; Cuban teachers are highly-qualified. For a snapshot of English in Cuba, check out:

The Times They Are a-Changin
Cuban entrepreneurs build network of private schools
Peace Corps in Cuba? You Heard It Here First

.

[teachertomthailand]

I just contacted the Cuban embassy, this looks like my best bet.

[nomad soul]

The Cuban Embassy? I meant the US Embassy in Cuba (since you're a citizen). Contact the RELO via the embassy's English Language Teaching & Learning page.

[EFL Educator]

I understand from some British colleagues of mine currently teaching in Cuba that there are a lot of homeless and unemployed "bilingual" EFL teachers doing volunteer teaching in Havana....mostly coming from the north of Cuba...from a place called "Little Havana".