Job Discussion Forums

[Unodostres]

Hello! I could really use some help in deciding which Latina American country I want to teach in, there are just too many enticing choices for me to choose by myself!

I am 26 with some college and no certification. I am in contact with a local adult learning center that also does ESL and I will start volunteering with them soon. I would like to get certified in the country that I would be teaching in. After paying for the certification and flight, I would have about $2000 saved up and I won't be ready to start until January 2012.

Here is what I'm looking for in my TEFL experience: I'm only looking to teach for one year, my primary objective is to improve my Spanish, I'd like to work about 15-20 hours per week, I'd like to take about 10 hours of Spanish per week and I'd like to volunteer about 4-5 hours per week.

So far, I'm torn between Southern Mexico (I've heard good things about Cuernavaca as well as Chiapas), Costa Rica (I've been looking at Intesol CR) and Ecuador (EIL Ecuador).

Mexico would be the least in terms of culture shock and probably the best match food wise but it doesn't feel as "exotic" as the other two choices. Costa Rica would be perfect for me but 90% of the teaching jobs are in the central valley and I'd like to have more options in terms of location. Ecuador seems like a decent choice as well, the Spanish is clear, the weather is nice and there are several cities to teach in (I want a medium city like Cuenca or Loja).

So, where should I go? Is there anything that I haven't considered? How is the job outlook in those areas? Any input would be appreciated!

[lydia.bainbridge]

Have you looked at the information on the boards for each country you are interested in? I think your question is pretty broad for people to want to tackle. Make sure you've done your homework and then come back with specific questions.

[Unodostres]

Yeah, I'm trying to narrow it down, but it's proving to be difficult!

I'm going to wait until I hear back from EIL Ecuador before I make up my mind. Today has been an Ecuador day and I've been reading up on Cuenca, but who knows where I'll want to go tomorrow!

But I guess, I could always do 6 months in one place and 6 months in another

[MotherF]

[Unodostres]

Thanks for the comments! I started looking at volunteer type programs but many of them were pretty expensive with accommodation and Spanish classes, I would only be able to make it about 5 or 6 months. Whereas, I figure with teaching part time, it would help me stretch my funds for a whole year.

So far I've looked at the following volunteer organizations:
http://www.ecuadorvolunteers.org
http://volunteerhq.org/
http://www.interculturacostarica.com/activities/volunteer-program-costa-rica

EIL Ecuador has a cultural exchange program, but I'm still waiting to hear back from them.

[HLJHLJ]

The job market in Cuenca is very competitive, less so in Loja, but then there is less work there in general as well. In either place you will be lucky to earn $6/hr. 15-20 hours a week on those wages is not realistic, especially not if you have to pay for Spanish lessons as well. You might want to look at some of the bigger schools like English First or Inlingua, they don't pay much but you get free or very cheap Spanish classes as well, and those savings can really add up.

[lydia.bainbridge]

During my master's program, I spent 10 weeks teaching English to Spanish teachers in exchange for 20 hours a week of Spanish classes in Guatemala. Homestay was $150 a month, three meals a day six days a week.

Best experience of my teaching career! You don't have to pay to volunteer.

[Unodostres]

Thank you HLJ and lydia. You've given me several more things to consider. That's why I joined, to have a sounding board to bounce around ideas. You guys have "been there, done that" and can give much needed advice.

Edit: If I was in a larger city and was taking free Spanish classes, the 20 hours of teaching would be ok right?

[naturegirl321]

[naturegirl321]

[Isla Guapa]

[naturegirl321]

[Isla Guapa]

[naturegirl321]

[Irish Lad]