Job Discussion Forums

[Alix]

The above problem turned out to be because I had the wrong skype ID, we've been in touch and I'm trying again. I've read some other forums where people seem to have real trouble getting a work visa from this end, and apparently the school will suggest you come on a tourist visa, but then help you go to Peru to get a work visa later. This might sound sketchy but it wouldn't surprise me if it was true.
I do have a safety net in that country so I will at least go for the interview; if it does turn out bad I'll say so here but I feel ok about it so far.

[swimweh]

In general:
I loved my time there. I thought classes were incredibly fun and easy. I felt like the schedule could be as demanding as you were willing to make it. The social life was great. The pay was enough to have fun, and if you needed more money you could always pick up more classes.

Class:
They use the Elevator series books, which I thought were nice. They let you have reigns of the class and do more or less what you want. The school defines itself in contrast to its more serious competitor (can't remember name) as the more fun alternative for learning English. I do think those students who wanted to learn were able to do so, although those who weren't interested usually got passed anyway. I didn't think it hindered my classes at all. Most kids participated because it was easy to make class fun, and the one or two who didn't join in, just didn't. It's Ecuador. Once I got over wanting them to be like I was in school, looked around, and started expecting them to be what's normal in their culture... everything was great.

The administration:
I was lukewarm on this. There are two managers, one I really like and the other was a bit cold. I thought they were often not organized, sometimes tried to pressure teachers who couldn't say no into taking on more classes, and in general were not very supportive. On the other hand, they left me alone to have fun and teach. In the spirit of flexibility, I didn't care that the exams hadn't been printed in time for class... we could take the exam the next day and do a review game instead or start the next chapter. This was something that did bother some other teachers, but I think if you know yourself you can decide how you would handle these situations. It made little difference to me.

Loja:
I loved Loja. There's a fun group of Ecuadorians that always are ready to party, have dinner, hang out... the other teachers when I was there were equally fun. Also important, it's an inexpensive city. Testing my limits of austerity I lived on $5 per week for a while. Not during that time, I went out on the weekends, drank too much, stayed up all night, and had an all around amazing time for $25-$30 per week (I had free living in a different house thru a volunteer job I had, so this is not including living expenses which the CHC provides)

Visas:
I was there for 4 months last Fall. They could get you renewed tourist visas, so you could be there for 6 months. I never felt worried about it. They seemed to be more than willing to help other teachers get work visas if they planned on staying for a year or more. I say 'seemed' here because I left after 4 months and at that time those expecting a work visa didn't seem worried. I don't remember the exact details on one case, but I do remember one teacher slipping into the hole of having been there for more than 6 months and not yet having a work visa, but considering that that person is still there I guess it was never a huge issue. I would just demand that I get the work visa before my 6 months were up. I think this person got into that hole by being indecisive and then choosing to stay in town to have fun rather than get her tourist visa renewed. Or something like that.

Extras:
When I was there the CHC provided free or nearly free housing... it wasn't for everybody. The rooms were fine, I think, but the kitchen wasn't much of a kitchen. On the other hand, it had an amazing third story balcony which was beautiful to spend time on.

On other posts:
I haven't read them, sorry. If people complained they probably had every right to. I think you just have to be a good fit for the school. If you're flexible and don't have a problem going with the flow, I'd say you'll have an incredible time. If you're thinking about bringing family, enjoy a very structured environment, or in general have more needs than others, I'd steer clear.

It should be noted that I'm a young male adventure enthusiast who likes to challenge himself, knows little of the effects of stress and enjoys adapting to new situations. So, reinterpret my comments through that lens.

I will also add that Cheryl is awesome! I'm sure it's stressful being somewhere else and dealing with the CHC's lack of organization, but once I got there it was a non-issue. Hope this helps.

[swimweh]

Amendment:

In the story of the quasi visa trouble the person had been there for 3 months, not 6, so she could have renewed her tourist visa.

And my self description sounds lame upon reading it a second time, but I was very much that type of person while at the CHC.

[Alix]

Thanks,
I don't mind taking the odd risk myself as it goes, now I'm 42 and my son has left home.
I don't have a degree so I fear that the only way I will get there is on a tourist visa. I'm new to teaching but more than used to working my way around problems, making do and being resourceful (not to mention being skint!)
I have spoken to Cheryl and she seemed genuine and I liked her. Just need to save up the air fair - not less than £700!

[HLJHLJ]

Thanks swimweh, it's really good to hear the other side of it. I think the main thing for me is if they are being honest with people. If people know the risks of going on a tourist visa, and aren't being told they can just change it to a work visa later, then they can decide for themselves if they want to go for it. It was all the stories about misinformation that worried me. Thanks again for taking the time to post about it.

[Coloradita]

I would avoid working for them. They promised to sponsor me, and most of my colleagues for work visas, and never came through with it. I don´t think they´re offering to provide work visas for their teachers anymore, from what I´ve heard they´re encouraging teachers to come over on a regular tourist visa.

[just_a_mirage]

I would not come on a regular tourist visa. They are limited to 90 days, and in most cases are NOT being renewed for an additional 90. You dont want to try and make a border run, and then be denied re-entry because your time is up. It happens. Its better to put in a little more time and effort to get the 12-IX which gives you six months and allows you to work LEGALLY. If you can work legally you have many more options than just that one place, if it doesnt work out. The 12-IX doesnt require a sponsor, and provides some protection for you from unscrupulous institutions that want to take advantage of you.

[samadablam]

Alix,
just wondering if you ended up going or not? I'm on the verge of committing to them also.
Cheers, Sam.

[eevanvleet]

Loja is pretty close to some nice places like Zamora, Vilcabamba and Parque Nacional Podocarpus. There are some universities and bookshops (if you read Spanish) and tasty food. Still, you are pretty really far from Quito, far from Guayaquil and about five hours from Cuenca. Provincial is a perfect world for it in all the ways that it could be good and bad. This Canadian institute has signs all up around the downtown and the few times I've walked around, I haven't seen any other institutes, though it sounds from what others are saying like they exist. They buy enough advertising to seem like the game in town, but four dollars is pretty bad. Loja is a lot cheaper than other cities, but with all these visa difficulties and only four dollars an hour, unless they are giving a lot of hours and you're willing to teach those hours.

[idiggs]

[liverpool lass]

it would be nice if we got $5+ per hour but Isuppose it depends on where the school is and what they charge students. I have been a esl teacher before and I used to think the same then I saw some of their ad bills once, radio, tv etc I think we forget to take those type of costs into the equation and just do calculations on what students are charged, how many there are etc. Also not everyone pays on time, I had that in Argentina. I really had my eyes opened. I know Quito and Guayaquil pay more but then they charge students more and also its quite expensive to live there and dangerous. I´ve heard about CHC - its in Loja and its really peaceful there and the weather isnt bad. Whichever school you plan on going to you should get them to send you the names of people who have worked there or who are still working there they should be able to give you the true low down. There are lots of rumours going around about different schools but unless you have been there or know someone who knows the truth

[sendintheclowns]

I currently work for CHC in Loja. They have other locations on the coast city of Machala, and Cuenca, Ecuador´s third biggest city. I have been working here for almost 3 months and I really enjoy it.

It seems that people have experienced visa problems in the past. Personally, I came here thinking that figuring out the visa was my responsibility and I never expected my employer to hold my hand through the whole process. With that said, everyone should be aware that visas and entry policies vary from consolate to consolate, border crossing to border crossing, and even customs agent to customs agent. ITS A VERY DIFFERENT SYSTEM to what I´ve come to expect in the States. Theres not the same degree of consistent regulations. Therefore, I can only speak to my own experience:

CHC will set you up with a visa. They have offered several options to everyone currently employed here. When it comes to visas, they will not leave you hanging.

[HLJHLJ]

[sendintheclowns]

[HLJHLJ]