Job Discussion Forums

[lotuseater]

Hello and Happy New Year to all!

After Spring 2015, I will have taught 8 semesters of tertiary EFL in the Middle East. Having made the decision to leave this part of the world, I'm now faced with the somewhat formidable task of figuring out 'what's next'.

I've received some great info via pm from a couple of LA experts, for which I'm grateful. I felt like I would like to share my next place 'wish list' to see who might have a suggestion or two.

1) seaside or close to it
2) no snow/frigid weather
3) official language: Spanish
4) contracted work: university or language institute
5) an expat base that would extend beyond colleagues

I have the qualifications and experience for university work (MA, Applied Linguistics, 2 yrs tertiary ESL stateside besides my tertiary 'time' in Oman/Kuwait).

I speak basic Spanish and am a low maintenance kinda gal, so an offbeat place doesn't scare me.

Thanks for your time,
LE

ps. many posts I've read talk about better chances of being hired in person. Another option for me is to stay where I'm at and work the Summer 2015 semester, and then take off the fall to travel to LA with resume in hand. Not ideal, but not outside the realm of possibility, either!

[BadBeagleBad]

Latin America is a big place! Do you at least have a preference for a specific country or region? It also depends on if you want to work a year or two, or for the long haul, as they will effect my recommendation. I can only speak for Mexico. If you want to stay for the long haul, I would suggest a language institute. Pay is low to begin, but since turnover is high, you can advance rather rapidly, especially with your credentials. If you only want to work for a year or two, a better plan might be to look for a Uni or international school. The advantage to an institute is that you should be able to get a job easily. Another thing you might consider, is doing some teaching online. That way you will have a stable base of pay while you build up your other job. Mexico City is 5 hours from Acapulco, so you could go for weekends, Guadalajara is 3 hours or so from Puerto Vallarta. Not a lot of work in most beach towns.

[esl_prof]

I've just sent you a detailed PM on opportunities in the Dominican Republic. I would encourage you, however, to continue pursuing conversations with BadBeagleBad, Fitzgerald, MotherF, GuyC, Jultime, and others who are currently in Mexico as I believe you'll find some equally compelling opportunities there as well. Of course, I'm rooting for you to go to the DR (where I spent two very productive years learning how to teach), but it's in your best interest to consider all of the viable options before making a final choice.

Good luck!

[nomad soul]

You might give Georgetown University's ELF Program (http://elprograms.org/) a look, although timing is key.

[Jultime]

I'm new to ESL and new to Oaxaca, Mexico.

My experience so far is that most jobs are not advertised. I've found the most important thing to do here in Oaxaca, Mexico is to network, network, network.

I took spanish lessons here, now my former teacher and his associates are giving me leads on jobs and assisting me in my job search.

I also participate in intercambio (english/spanish exchange). One of my students gave me a contact name and phone number for a co-ordinator at one of the universities.

Today I walked into a few language schools with my CV. I got good responses.

I think it would be a lot easier for you if you knew where you want to live, go there and start the job search.

[HLJHLJ]

For Ecuador, the only place that would fit with hot weather and near the sea is Guayaquil. With your background you should be able to get university work. I don't know much about Guayaquil, but there is another poster who works there, so hopefully she will chip in.

[lotuseater]

Thank you all for your input!

BBB, you made me smile when you asked if I was looking for short or long haul employment since the longest I've ever stayed in one job is two years! Not that I wouldn't consider longer, it's just that the combination of variables hasn't been strong enough…

It would make more sense if I could narrow down where I want to live and go from there. Believe it or not, I'm sure I could be just as happy in DR as Mexico as Ecuador! I think that's why I thought to point toward landing a job first… Since Kuwait is just one 'big' city, I wouldn't consider DF, which sounds like your location?

Prof, thanks for the detailed DR info. That looks to be about everything I need to research the place!

Nomad, I have applied for ELP twice. The first time was the year I graduated, and presume I didn't have the requisite experience. The second time, I received a call from them mid-September or so, after I was already committed to other employment. Now that I have ESL experience, I'm going for a third application submission. They've changed the app; it's quite lengthy. I hope to finish it today, my Saturday. We'll see if 'third time's a charm' holds true! I would be thrilled to be accepted into this program!

Jultime, Several years ago, on my way to Guatemala, I spent a night in Oaxaca and loved it so much, I ended up staying a week. Would have stayed longer, but was on a time line. Great place! Good luck with your job search!

HLJ, I will check take a closer look at Guayaquil. That helps me narrow down Ecuador locations!

Something will stick somewhere, and actually, what started as a brainstorm idea is starting to take root. Why not work the summer semester here in Q8 and then during the fall months, grab a backpack, and do a tour of some of these great places where you all are at? It could happen!

<3

LE

[MotherF]

[lotuseater]

[MotherF]

Yes, there is. Its referred to as SUNEO, Sistema de Universidades Estatales de Oaxaca. And English is a required subject for all students and the only hire qualified native speakers to teach it. That makes for about a 100 jobs around the state. None of them are in Oaxaca City as the system was created to decentralize higher education. Some are in very small places and some are near the coast.
The only problem is the state has taken austerity measures and some campuses are not being allowed to replace teachers who leave.

[BadBeagleBad]

[BadBeagleBad]