Job Discussion Forums

aurelio5 · Joined: 02 Oct 2012 Posts: 3

Hey everyone, I'm considering going to Latin America or Spain to teach EFL. I was originally considering Mexico but due to the increase in drug related violence am looking for some other place. I'm 25 years old. I don't have a B.A. or TEFL cert. The B.A. is not an option but I would definitely consider getting a TEFL cert.

My questions are:

What countries do not require B.A.'s? And out of those what is the requirement for type of TEFL certification? ( short online course or 2 month in class course?)

Thanks.

P.S. I am near fluent in Spanish so the language would not be a problem.

EFLeducator

Isla Guapa · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 3:39 pm Post subject:

To the OP, if you don't have a passport from an EU country, there is no way you can work legally in Spain.

MotherF · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 3:42 pm Post subject:

First question--it might sound cheeky, but it's a serious question and I can't give you a useful response without this information.

WHY? Why do you want to go to Latin America or Spain to teach EFL?

aurelio5 · Joined: 02 Oct 2012 Posts: 3

Hey everyone. Yeah I am aware of what is happening in Spain. I was just curious though. As for Mother's question. I speak Spanish fluently and I've wanted to travel for a long time. I think that, due to my spanish ability I would have a more enriching experience in Latin America ( minus Brazil) than in a country where I don't speak the language. I'm not interested in East or Southeast Asia. I'm aware that you can't save much in Lain America. This doesn't bother me one bit. The main issue is which Latin American country you can teach in without a B.A. Once I figure this out I'll go and see what my options for a TEFL cert are.

Again,

Thanks

EFLeducator · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:43 pm Post subject: Re: hey

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

How about volunteering? Or trying to get a job within your field? YOu'd speak more Spanish that way.

On another note: get a BA, the longer you wait, the harder it is. The BA is always an option: especially now with online stuff. Where are you from? That will impact whether you need a visa or not.

As for Peru, with no BA and not being married to a Peruvian, you'd be working illegally. Are you ok with that?

Many LA language schools will NOT get you a visa. Mexico, yes, but places like Peru, argentina, CR, etc, working on a tourist visa seems what many people do since the turnover is high. Or people are married to locals and dont' NEED working visas.

Take into account money as well. You want to travel, are you planning on travelling on the weekends or working for 6 months and then travelling? YOu do know that the average salary in LA is about 700 to 1000 usd, it's hard to save if it's just you working. You can live pretty well, but you might only be able to save 200 to 300 a month. That's not a lot if you want to travel. What about hardcore working where you are now and then taking time off to travel?

MotherF · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 2:28 pm Post subject:

Okay, so your main motivation is to travel in Latin America and you want to teach EFL to sort of stretch that experience out. Then the answer is yes, you can do that without a BA and you can do it in any Latin American country. I highly recommend a certificate program. Not just because it will get you more jobs, but it will allow both you and your students to have a better experience while you are doing those jobs. In person and some practice teaching with real students is better. There are courses like that in Mexico, so you could start here and work your way south.
You are not going to get rich or likely be able to find a "settle down" type job without at least a BA. But you will have an experience that is different than just taking a trip and you will be able to extend your savings (but maybe not completely fund the trip!)

Don't count out Mexico. I've been living here since 1998 and in most of the country there has been NO increase in the level of violence during that time period. I did recently turn down a chance to move to Cuidad Juarez! No way no how and I going there.

Volunteering is also a good option as it will put you directly into the lives of the locals and you will see Latin America in a totally different light.

Also, like Naturegirl pointed out, why not get a BA? There are TONS of options now, so to say it's not an option seems rash and unthought out. (Especially to a crowd of people working in EDUCATION Laughing

)

So to wrap up--if Latin America is calling to you, you should answer that call--it's a wonderful place. If you have money saved up, you can do a course then teach to make those savings stretch. But don't count on adding to those savings or even having those savings still there when you are done with this experience. You never know, you might love it so much you decide to get a BA in foriegn language teaching and stay for ever and ever. Wink

aurelio5 · Joined: 02 Oct 2012 Posts: 3

I really appreciate the responses. It does seem rash to not at all consider a B.A. I can't speak for what I'll do later on in the future, and who knows, I might consider it. I hadn't thought about starting in Mexico and moving south from there. I guess I assumed that it would be a hassle to deal with the visas moving from country to country like that.

I agree that certification is essential. I just have to decide whether to get it here in the U.S. or somewhere else. It's good to know that there's more than one option.

Anyway, thanks everyone

kona · Joined: 17 Sep 2011 Posts: 188 Location: USA

fladude · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 432

Avoid most LA countries. Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Brazil if you can get a visa are probably all decent options though.... those countries have a larger/faster growing upper middle class. Other than that.... the pay for pure ESL would be terrible (without having a teaching degree and working for an American school).

I mean yeah I know people who make it in Central America going solo, but most of them don't teach ESL full time. They usually teach SAT test prep or something like that. They might teach a few ESL classes a week to make an extra dollar, but it is not where their real money comes from.

I know one guy who makes 40 dollars an hour teaching golf............. and he teaches some ESL classes too for 10 dollars an hour. Obviously he is not "making it" on ESL though. But anyway you get the idea. The rich in these countries will pay lavish sums for quality golf lessons. But don't expect the same pay for teaching English.