Job Discussion Forums

sunshinefiasco · Joined: 26 Jun 2012 Posts: 6

Hey all, I'm looking advice for jobs in LA (duh), documents and how to plan from really far away.

For reference: I'm 24, I have a non-Eng/Ed BA, will have 2 years of experience in a Korean middle school by the time I'm over there, a brick-and-mortar 180-hour TESOL, and I speak Spanish (I wouldn't say fluently, but I'm more than proficient). I previously spent a semester in Cochabamba/Santa Cruz Bolivia (about 3 years ago, still in college). After this contract (actually starting more late spring/summer of 2013), I'd like to do some traveling around South America and eventually get a job somewhere (my heart is in Bolivia, but I've been considering Peru/Colombia/Mexico, though I'm open to anything.)

I know LA, outside of international schools, generally doesn't hire online. What I'm curious about:

What kind of gig am I qualified for? Could I get a uni job?
I know salaries are low, but what's an unacceptably low amount, more or less?
What documents should I bring with me (TESOL cert and..)?
How much/what planning can I do from my desk in Korea (a question now that summer vacation has nearly arrived)?
Any country specific tips?

Thanks guys!

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

With no masters and no uni teaching experience you won't be in demand a uni level. However, rules are generally flexible and if you are in the right place at the right time, or have the right connections you may still get hired. You'd be fine at language schools. Most places won't be interested in your Spanish skills, but they may help when you are knocking on doors handing your resume in.

Salaries: that's impossible to answer, you'd need to at least narrow it down to a country.

Documents: again, it depends on the country and what kind of visa you are looking for. The minimum will usually be your BA & TESOL certs, and obviously your passport. It could extend to health certificates and criminal record checks. These things often have a usable window of a few months, so there is no point arranging them now. Certs may need to be apostilled.

Planning: not a lot to be honest. Read up as much as you can on the various countries and try to narrow things down a bit. Check out the flight costs, it will be a big chunk of your start-up costs and may influence where you decide to start looking first.

MotherF

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I got hired at age 22 at a uni in Peru. A well respected one as well. Had no MA and no uni teaching experience at the time. I found out about it through DAve's.

I was paid $700 and that's still what they pay no nearly 10 years later.
As for docs, bring everything you can.