Job Discussion Forums

[latinamericaorasiaorbust]

Hello. I’m American and have taught in South Korea for one year followed by approximately 8 years of teaching EFL in various Middle Eastern countries. I would like a change in scenery and am strongly considering Colombia. I have a Master of Science (not an MA) in Education and a CELTA (6 years experience post CELTA). I have a few questions and would greatly appreciate any feedback that can be provided.

1. What types of institutions could I work for? (I am debt free so I would consider all types of learning institutions as long as I could save some money.)

2. What pay should be expected at each type of institution? (college, high school, after-school and after-work language schools, etc, etc)

3. How much should I be able to save even if working at a low-scale institution? (don’t really need to go out a lot as I am past that age)?

4. With my credentials, could I work at a Colombian K-12 school, or MUST I be licensed?

5. Do most jobs in Colombia include medical coverage? If not, which EFL jobs do, if any?

6. Is there a preference for Caucasian instructors? Do you know of any native English teachers that aren’t Caucasian?

7. For most jobs, is it better to arrive as a tourist and then apply, or is it possible to find a job before flight?

8. Would an international school consider me or is a license required?

9. Is it possible to change employers after starting a position? Or is it difficult without leaving the country and returning?

10. Is there a certain time of year that is better to apply?

11. Am I correct in assuming flights are not paid for nor reimbursed? If only some institutions, may I ask the names of institutions that you know of which do pay upfront or reimburse?

I sincerely thank you for any feedback you can provide. Please feel free to PM me. And if anyone has considered the Middle East, I would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have as I have worked in the U.A.E., Saudi, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. Thank you again.

[The Internationalist]

There are only two types of "teachers" in Colombia. (This assumes you have at least a 4 year Uni degree)

1) Certified / Licensed
2) Not Certified / Licensed

Jobs one can get with each category

1) International Schools
2) Language Institutes, Colegios, & Universities

As for your questions

1) Answered it above
2) Pay ranges from 500-1,500 usd a month
3) Save shouldnt even be in your vocabulary when mentioning Colombia or LA. This isnt Korea or the ME. You come here for the experience. Generally speaking you dont make enough to save, just enough to live decently on a budget.
4) You can work at a colegio, not an International School
5) Not sure
6) Yes
7) Finding a job before flight is very rare. This a a boots on the ground beat down doors operation
8 ) No they would not
9) Most people work without a visa as they are not easy to come by.
10) Yes, November and June
11) Yes, again this is not Korea

Decent thread talking about teaching in Colombia

http://www.rooshvforum.com/thread-5141.html?highlight=colombia

[windowlicker]

[The Internationalist]

@window

I think you read my post wrong or misunderstood me.

When I said certified I meant in a elem-high school sense. Not a ESL sense.

To get a real international school job one must me licensed.

For the rest generally all you need is a degree. (experience for Uni's generally)

Yes, having an ESL cert helps but it is not a must. (Minus 1-2 Institutes that do the CELTAs)

Technically I suppose I could have said 3 types of teachers in Colombia.

1) Licensed (International Schools)
2) Random Degree + ESL Cert (Institutes, Colegios, Universities)
3) Random Degree (Institutes, Colegios, Universities)

Hell, Id wager there are people teaching in Institutes and Colegios without even a degree.

[latinamericaorasiaorbust]

Just wanted to say thank you to the people who replied. The info helps. Thanks again. I will continue to observe this thread in case of any future replies.