Job Discussion Forums

melonie · Joined: 16 Oct 2012 Posts: 6

Hi everyone,

First, let me say that any help with my indecisiveness is greatly appreciated!

I do not know what to do about all of these international job fairs. I signed up for the job fair- Association of American Schools in South America. However, I am disappointed to find that only 4 schools will be there that are hiring for ESL teachers. Only 4! What is worse is that I am only interested in 1 of these.

I have also looked into the UNI fair in Feb. However, I wonder if there will really be that many more ESL jobs at that fair? It looks like the same schools sign up for all of the fairs.

I looked at TIE (The International Educator) as well. They currently only have 3 ESL jobs posted in Central/South America. Two of those are the same schools that will be recruiting at the AASSA (Association of American Schools in South America) fair. I've heard that Search is a good fair also, but again it seems to be overall the same schools attending most of these fairs.

I know some say that more jobs become available in January because teachers give notice at that time as to whether they will be returning the next year. However, it seems from my research that many schools now require teachers to give notice in November and beginning December. So, maybe there won't be more jobs in January.

I can't afford to go to all of these fairs! I am wondering if I should just NOT go to this AASSA fair next week and save my money for another fair in Feb in hopes there will be more schools hiring for ESL. I'm just afraid there won't be any ESL jobs left by these fairs in late Jan and early Feb.

So, should I stay or go now? Thank you so much for any advice.

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

LatAm schools rarely recruit from abroad for ESL teachers. The international schools that do recruit abroad are usually looking for regular content teachers. Those schools are generally either bilingual or teach entirely in English, they may not hire ESL teachers at all.

If you are a qualified/certified teacher, then you need to be looking at content positions not ESL. If you aren't, or you are only interested in ESL work, then it's a question of turning up in the country you are interested in and knocking on doors with your CV. That's how jobs are normally found in LatAm, not through job fairs.

MotherF · Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2012 4:53 pm Post subject:

What are your qualifications?
What ages/levels are you hoping to teach?
What countries are you interested in?
Like HLJHLJ said, those job fairs are mostly for content teachers who teach in English at English medium schools in foriegn countries. Not for teachers who teach English as a Foreign Language.

melonie · Joined: 16 Oct 2012 Posts: 6

Thank you for the information. I guess I was trying to go through a job fair because it seems the best chance to get a job that pays for your flight, housing, moving allowance, etc.

I'm certified in ESL k-12. I have a bachelor's degree in ESL and a master's degree in education.I've worked in the United States teaching ESL for 5 years to elementary, middle, and high school students. I've gone overseas to teach, but it was all short term and volunteer work.

I really have my hopes set on teaching ESL in Central/South America, but I know that many schools do not pay much in Central/South America. At least not enough to save any money. I know I would not come out with much money, but I just don't want to come back to the U.S. with absolutely nothing. You know?

I feel like the whole reason I got my bachelor's degree in ESL was to teach overseas. Now I am almost 30 and have not done this! Confused

I'm not married, no kids. I guess if I'm going to go, I should go soon. Thank you for your help.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2012 6:42 pm Post subject:

Melonie, you say you are looking for a job in Central or South America. Have you also considered Mexico? There are lots of international schools there that pay pretty good to excellent salaries.

melonie · Joined: 16 Oct 2012 Posts: 6

I will consider Mexico, thanks for the tip Smile

Isla Guapa · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:41 am Post subject:

MotherF · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:35 pm Post subject:

You would probably also be able to get a job in a Mexican university. But they would not pay your flight, housing or moving expenses. But they will pay you plenty to live on while you are here.
If you don't have the money to make the move, maybe you should look into going to another part of the world first. A place that might pay your flight and provide housing and allow you to save up a little cushion of money to later move to Latin America with.