Job Discussion Forums

[beexcellent]

Hi all!

I'm looking for a way to teach English anywhere in South America this summer.

First, the cons of my situation:
-I'm 17 (will turn 18 during the summer)
-I'm only available for a month or two during the summer
-I do not have a degree (but I will have my high school diploma)
-I can't pay for much more than a round-trip plane ticket

Pros:
-I have experience teaching English to both children and adults
-I'm willing to work for no pay (except room & board)

This is my summer before college and I'd love to spend it teaching English while improving my Spanish. I've spent hours combing the internet for a program that would be right for me but they either require volunteers to be over 18/have a degree or cost thousands of dollars that I do not have.

Do any of you know of a way I could make this happen?

Thanks so much.

[spiral78]

Probably not very realistic, though this is an admirable wish.

Issues:
employers won't want to be responsible for an under-age worker
one or two months isn't time to do much with a new teacher - or students
working visa likely impossible to get under these circumstances (others here will know more on this than I do)
teaching English (particularly in a new situation) takes a lot of time/energy -not really conducive to strengthening the teacher's second language

I suggest you try to volunteer at a community college or similar program in the States - or seek out a summer camp that focuses on ESL. Depending on where you are located, these are around.

[HLJHLJ]

I'm afraid I agree with Spiral, it's not really a practical plan for many reasons. If you want to improve your Spanish and you only have a month or two, you'd be better trying to get a little extra cash together and make a study holiday of it instead. You might be able to do some volunteering once you are in country. But no-one is going to pay you or cover your bed and board for teaching.

[Guy Courchesne]

I'll chip in with the 3rd 'not a practical plan' comment.

If you can find a good summer ESL program in the US with international dimensions, you could start networking there for future overseas positions if that is a direction you'd like to go in.

Best of luck to you!

[beexcellent]

Thanks guys. I didn't think of helping out at ESL summer programs here in the states -that might be a good transition.

In the meantime, if you come across/think of a program for teens to teach English abroad that has no tuition and room and board included (however likely that is ), I'd love to hear about it.

[lagringalindissima]

Amigos de las Americas. For a fee you get placed with a family and an American partner; you do a volunteer program in a (usually) rural village. Your family feeds you. You don't need a visa, to be 18 or to have any work experience..you just need to know at least a small amount of Spanish.

[MotherF]

Amigos de las Americas is an excellent longstanding program. Rotary international also has summer programs ( I spent a summer in Merida, Mexico with them when I was 17.) Amerispan is another good organization with a long a solid reputation.

You can also explore the links on this site http://www.volunteersouthamerica.net/
You will find opportunity where you make a minimal investment, like your flight and they pay the rest.

[esl_prof]

It sounds like you've already gotten some great advice. If you decide to further explore options at home, I'd suggest checking with local school districts--especially those that have high ELL populations--regarding their summer programs. Intensive English Programs (IEPs) at local colleges or universities would also be a good option.

EDIT: A final option that comes to mind are local adult ESL programs. You might investigate and see if any of them need volunteer tutors or, possibly, would be willing to work with you to set up a short summer internship.

Good luck! Please keep us posted on how things work out.