Job Discussion Forums

[haleynicole14]

I've been looking for work in China only because I have been there before and am familiar with the process. But my top preference for living and working abroad would be Central or South America. I have searched for information on how to get started but haven't found a lot. Could someone give me tips or a link with info on how to begin the search? It seems like there are certainly people working in these countries - how does a person get started? I'm not opposed to getting to a country to do an in-person search, if it is likely to lead to employment.

So far, I have tried:
1) Google search for programs (many require payment or are looking for unpaid volunteers)
2) Google search for schools (I emailed a bunch, heard back from only two, one of which required payment from teachers)
3) Periodically checking a few job posting sites, including Dave's (typically not much from Latin America)

I am not picky about the location but would like a place where Spanish is spoken. I studied International Studies in college with a Latin American focus and love the history and culture, although I have only traveled to various parts of Mexico.

I should add that I don't care about making money, but I would at least like to not have to use up all my savings while teaching there. Breaking even would be nice, as a minimum.

EDIT: I just found this sticky: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=4556 . It hasn't been updated for a while but I will check out these sites now.

[inotu-unotme]

For Chile you have to be physically there.

For Mexico they prefer you to be physically there or at least have past experience working in Mexico before in order for them to be interested enough to contact you through e-mail.

In the part of Mexico I'm in the hiring season is not in fully force.
Others on Daves may know if particular schools are hiring in off season times.

I wish I knew more about hiring in Argentina, Brazil and Peru.

[HLJHLJ]

Across LatAm you find a job by turning up with your resume/cv and knocking on doors. Very few jobs are advertised anywhere, let alone online, and Skype interviews, etc are almost unheard of.

[haleynicole14]

Thanks. Another question... Which countries or major cities in Latin America are usually most in need of teachers?

[HLJHLJ]

Obviously there are many factors, but speaking very generally most jobs are found in the capital or major cities. Country-wise the best options are likely to be (in no particular order):
Mexico
Costa Rica
Colombia
Ecuador
Peru
Chile

There is generally less work around in
Belize
Honduras
Nicaragua
Guatemala
Bolivia
Paraguay
EDIT: Venezuela

(But less does not equal zero, and apart from Belize there is often voluntary or semi-voluntary positions in most of those countries).

Visas are often the major barrier in Brazil and Panama.

Argentina is currently a mess. Uruguay is competitive at the best of times and with the overflow from Argentina it is saturated at the moment.

Just to reiterate: these are gross generalizations.

[haleynicole14]

[MuscatGary]

Are there EVER any jobs in Venezuela?

[HLJHLJ]

My mistake, I've added it to the list now. There are occasionally jobs there. There used to be an IT style school that advertised sometimes, though I've not seen an ad in a while, but I've not really been looking so I may just have missed it. They had a pretty bad reputation. There is voluntary/semi-voluntary work, or at least there was. Possibly not so much right now given the current situation.

[lagringalindissima]

1) Find the names of language schools.
2) Contact them.
3) Ask about salary, visas, etc.
4) Don't overlook volunteer positions!

[Ellenita]

Hi there,

Thought I might add this to the forum as hopefully it could be of some use to you.

[url=http://www.theminiexplorer.com/teaching-english/english-schools-south-america/]English schools in South America - The Mini Explorer[/url]

It's a list of schools and institutes that I contacted when looking for a teaching job in South America. It took hours of searching, so hopefully, it should save you some time!

Good luck!

[AGoodStory]

[lotuseater]

Ellenita,

Thank you for sharing this directory!

I see from the tweets posted in the margin that you made the trip to Salta; I'm assuming your destination.

I hadn't thought to travel so far south in search of employment, but am definitely interested in your take on where you're at. Once you are settled, it would be great to hear your thoughts and experiences of the place.

LE