Job Discussion Forums

linjono · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

Hola! Are there any gringos/gringas out there teaching in the South of Chile? I am currently living in Puerto Varas, Chile, and teaching 2 (maybe 3 soon) classes in Puerto Montt, and I am just curious if there is anybody down here, or if most gringos stay around Santiago?
Chau!

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

...we're in the US now, but might be moving to Vina in the spring...ill keep touch --

mostly, depends on if i can get FT work ....i can't make less than $600 because i have a wife and baby...

whistle329 · Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 1

I'm thinking of moving to Puerto Montt after I graduate in May, and I would love to hear your input. I studied in Santiago last semester but I'm having trouble finding job opportunities in the South. How did you get your teaching job/are you liking it? Any other words of advice? Thanks!

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

..yes, there aren't many people in the south. there's another guy in Valparaiso who maybe can help you. i think the blog is "corrugatedcity"?? his old name here on the forum was "mattheboy"??

otherwise, ive researched this a ton. the best 2 cities outside of Santiago appear to be 1) Concepcion (many institutes) 2) Antofagasta (several international schools)

of course, you'll have to go in person for both interviews. one of the better ones in Antofagasta requires certification.

also, both are in Tsunami zones, if you're a paranoiac.

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

...here is the blog for the guy in Chile....

http://corrugatedcity.blogspot.com/

he's also an expert in Chile real estate

Insubordination · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 394 Location: Sydney

Wow! I love Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt. Didn't realise there'd be any work down there.

lemur13 · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 4 Location: California North

we're moving to Puerto Montt (hopefully) in January to start job hunting... is there much work? What kind of classes are you teaching? And just curious, what are the attitudes of the typical Chilean student to their teacher? Are classes relaxed and open or stiff and rigid? Hope I'm not asking too many questions, but I haven't heard much from anyone currently teaching in the south.

littlealtman1 · Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 11

So, I'm sitting in an internet cafe in Puerto Varas and let me tell you...Spring is awesome here. I am just finishing my volunteership with English Opens Doors and have decided to stay, probably until April, if not longer.

As for work, there is! There are a ton of privates to be had, if you ask around and show up at popular places looking like the gringo you are. Jaja. I am working at an institute part-time in Puerto Montt. It's worth a try here. I love it.

As for attitudes towards teachers, my students have been dreams. They were a little shy, but you just have to break them in.

Good luck!

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

...thanks for the update, littlealtman1. it's not easy getting people to write into Dave's from the South Pole. that's good news for you, plenty of work and a paradise to live in.

Insubordination · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 394 Location: Sydney

That sounds so good. I've been to Puerto Varas a few times. I always stay in a really cheap place in someone's loft. Wish I could walk along the pier right now (forget the Casino).

Man, I've got to get back to Chile this year. Love that place!

lemur13 · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 4 Location: California North

Hey thanks for the heads up! glad to hear there is work around PM, and also glad to hear your students are dreams... i can't wait to get down there...
should be early January...
oh and Littlealtman, if you don't mind me asking, what institute are you at?

littlealtman1 · Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 11

I'm at Instituto Chileno Norteamericano. I love it, because they are really open about cirriculum, but give you books and CDs to work with.

There are a fair amount of institutes to look into around town, specifically in Puerto Montt.

For anyone who wants to "know" someone down here, I will be back in the area from mid-January through the end of March. Let me know if you want to meet up. I know where all the good coffee and soy burgers are.

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

yes, people have told me Inst Chileno Nort. is solid, reliable, pays decent...

what about the summer in that institute? july - sep?

lemur13 · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 4 Location: California North

hey Littlealtman, thanks for the response... i'll look into the ICN... do they require a university degree? i've got a TEFL certificate, but am taking a leave of absence from my schooling to get some EFL experience... but i am glad to hear that there are a few institutes in Puerto Montt... I can't wait to get down there, and sure thing, it would be great to meet up with someone that's been in the area a while... My wife and I will be down there the first or second week of January, so we'll keep in touch!

Insubordination · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 394 Location: Sydney

Soyburgers. Cool! I'm veg too. Last time I was in Puerto Montt and ordered something vegetarian and got raw vegetables on a plate (and my Spanish is good). That was 10 years ago, guess things have changed.

I am seriously contemplating heading to Chile in the new year. Do you just go on the 3 month tourist visa?

I wanted the youth visa thing but am a year too old.