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[cradler]

Hi,

I just wanted to post this, because I never found this information when I was researching Chile before moving there to find work. There is a LOT of work, if giving private lessons for a language institute is what you are looking for. Many institutes don't pay for your travel time or prep, although there are exceptions.

The thing that shocked me was the immense number of English teachers in Santiago.There is an institute on every other corner in Providencia. I once went to a hostel at the beach, and everyone who was staying there was an English teacher. On the bus ride home I sat next to a Chilean teacher of English.

I have taught in two other countries in South America, (Uruguay and Venezuela) and I was shocked by the contrast. I usually make a better salary outside of my job with private lessons, but I found Santiago super intimidating in its competition for clients. I am just not used to having to hustle- in Venezuela I actually didn't know any English speakers besides my boss, and in Uruguay the only other English teachers I knew were the ones I worked with. I never had to compete for clients and I always had more work than I wanted.

Also, the visa is now prohibitively expensive in my opinion. It changed right after my arrival in March 2015.

I had a fantastic time in Chile. There are English-Spanish intercambios almost every night of the week at different bars, great dance parties, art shows, hiking clubs, and excellent food. If you are just looking to travel and have fun while teaching English, you will love it there. The industry is designed for backpackers. I was looking for a job like I've had in the past, full-time with a decent salary, and I think it would have taken me a year to find something like that. Instead, I found one in Mexico, and I'm there now.

I have to get back there some day, there is so much more to see. Hope your experience in Chile is everything you're looking for. It's a great place to live.