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Zamin
Joined: 22 Feb 2015
Posts: 18
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 Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 5:11 pm Post subject: Teach In Nicaragua |
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Hey,
This year I am planning to move to Nicaragua to teach. Has anyone got any experience of teaching there? I have read in multiple places that it is one of the top up & coming teaching destinations and I think I would really enjoy the country.
Does anyone have any experience of living and working there? |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: Teach In Nicaragua |
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| Zamin wrote: |
| I have read in multiple places that it is one of the top up & coming teaching destinations and I think I would really enjoy the country. |
I'd be curious to know where you read that. It sounds like someone has made some exaggerated claims.
If you have a large cushion of savings to subsidize your stay, you'll probably be fine. Otherwise, your best bet would be to check with the Peace Corps, Fulbright Teaching Assistant program, or one of the many NGOs working in Nicaragua. |
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Zamin
Joined: 22 Feb 2015
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: Teach In Nicaragua |
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| esl_prof wrote: |
| Zamin wrote: |
| I have read in multiple places that it is one of the top up & coming teaching destinations and I think I would really enjoy the country. |
I'd be curious to know where you read that. It sounds like someone has made some exaggerated claims.
If you have a large cushion of savings to subsidize your stay, you'll probably be fine. Otherwise, your best bet would be to check with the Peace Corps, Fulbright Teaching Assistant program, or one of the many NGOs working in Nicaragua. |
I've noticed that both those programs seem to be for US citizens but I am a UK citizen.
I've read it in several articles. |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: Teach In Nicaragua |
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| Zamin wrote: |
| I've noticed that both those programs seem to be for US citizens but I am a UK citizen. |
My apologies. I shouldn't have made that assumption. You might try checking with the U.K. counterparts of the Mennonite Central Committee and the American Friends Service Committee. Both do good work in Central America (though, not necessarily Nicaragua) and may have opportunities or be able to refer you to some. You might also try Googling "volunteer English teachers Nicaragua" and see what comes up. You might also try doing an internet search for expat message boards or Facebook pages for Nicaragua and do some networking with folks who, while not necessarily teachers, are actually on the ground there and could give you more specific information that what you'll find here at Dave's. |
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MotherF
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1450
Location: 17�48'N 97�46'W
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:41 pm Post subject: Re: Teach In Nicaragua |
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| Zamin wrote: |
| esl_prof wrote: |
| Zamin wrote: |
| I have read in multiple places that it is one of the top up & coming teaching destinations and I think I would really enjoy the country. |
I'd be curious to know where you read that. It sounds like someone has made some exaggerated claims.
If you have a large cushion of savings to subsidize your stay, you'll probably be fine. Otherwise, your best bet would be to check with the Peace Corps, Fulbright Teaching Assistant program, or one of the many NGOs working in Nicaragua. |
I've noticed that both those programs seem to be for US citizens but I am a UK citizen.
I've read it in several articles. |
Right. You'd have to look at the VSO or similar. I'm also quite surprised, even taken aback,to hear Nicaragua described as an up and coming TEFL destination. |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:47 pm Post subject: Re: Teach In Nicaragua |
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| MotherF wrote: |
| Right. You'd have to look at the VSO or similar. I'm also quite surprised, even taken aback,to hear Nicaragua described as an up and coming TEFL destination. |
Yes, that sounds like the kind of thing you'd read on one of those websites for $150 online TEFL certs. But, then again, things change.
In the meantime, I just pulled some info off of the TESOL.org website regarding their Nicaragua affiliate:
It might be worth shooting them an e-mail, Zamin, and asking what they can tell you about possible opportunities. Who knows what you might learn? |
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Zamin
Joined: 22 Feb 2015
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 7:19 am Post subject: Re: Teach In Nicaragua |
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| esl_prof wrote: |
| Zamin wrote: |
| I've noticed that both those programs seem to be for US citizens but I am a UK citizen. |
My apologies. I shouldn't have made that assumption. You might try checking with the U.K. counterparts of the Mennonite Central Committee and the American Friends Service Committee. Both do good work in Central America (though, not necessarily Nicaragua) and may have opportunities or be able to refer you to some. You might also try Googling "volunteer English teachers Nicaragua" and see what comes up. You might also try doing an internet search for expat message boards or Facebook pages for Nicaragua and do some networking with folks who, while not necessarily teachers, are actually on the ground there and could give you more specific information that what you'll find here at Dave's. |
Thank you for your through, detailed response!
I have joined a couple of Facebook groups for Nicaraguan expats and I have got friends that have lived and travelled in central and south america.
Is it only possible to volunteer in Nicaragua? I have a friend who worked in other countries close to Nicaragua and I have read in several places that people have worked in Nicaragua. I just don't know how I would support myself if I was a volunteer, although I am doing my best to save up as much as I can before my trip.
If I can't find a job there then I would volunteer/travel or check out another nearby country. I am keen to go there and experience the life though.
Thanks for information about the conference, I have e-mailed them. I would never have found that without you so thanks.
My plan is to arrive and travel around a few towns and places and decide what to do once I get there. I think it is more fun that way.
I'll check out the VSO site, cheers. |
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wanderingxelmundo
Joined: 25 Mar 2015
Posts: 86
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| Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 12:33 pm Post subject: Internship in Nicaragua |
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I don't know what your other interests and experience are, but here's an internship that is "Volunteer Coordinator and English Teacher." You'd receive room and board, so while you wouldn't be completely supporting yourself you'd have the major expenses covered. You need at least conversational Spanish. It's in a nature reserve, so you'd need to be a nature lover and not looking for city life.
http://www.idealist.org/view/internship/kWWhn9gJPGW4/ |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 1:15 pm Post subject: Re: Teach In Nicaragua |
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| Zamin wrote: |
| Is it only possible to volunteer in Nicaragua? |
If you can find a volunteer gig that offers a small stipend or, better yet, will provide room and board in exchange for teaching, you'll probably do better. You could likely get hired at a local language school easily enough. But given a choice between working for peanuts for a possibly unscrupulous employer (not to mention the hassle of trying to get legal working papers and/or doing regular border hops) and volunteering for a reputable NGO, I'd definitely go with the latter. But, then again, that's just me.
You might try contacting the Binational Centers in Nicaragua or neighboring countries that you might be interested in:
http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/usia/E-USIA/education/engteaching/eal-elp1.htm#Nic
I don't expect you'd be offered anything until you're there in person but, possibly, they'd be able to give you a sense of what opportunities may be available.
I was offered a job once, years ago, by the Binational Center in the Dominican Republic and, while it didn't pay much (and I ultimately turned it down in favor or pursuing other opportunities in neighboring Puerto Rico), it likely would have been a good place to get some experience and, as I was living pretty frugally anyway, I probably wouldn't have had to dip into my savings too often.
Otherwise, you're doing everything correctly in terms of networking via the Facebook expat groups and with your friends who have lived and worked in Central America. If, as you have read, there are jobs available, somebody should know something. Another idea, possibly a longshot but worth trying, would be to attempt to e-mail or otherwise make contact with some of the authors you have been reading who seem to be much more knowledgeable about employment opportunities in Nicaragua.
Private tutoring can be another option (and there are numerous threads about how to go about doing that on these forums). One of my former classmates was able to prolong an extended stay in Guatemala solely by taking on private students. Again, you're not going to finance your entire visit this way. But, it's an option for making some pocket money along the way.
If your plan is to just head down there and check things out (which, frankly, is probably the best way to get started once you've completed your initial research and know what some of the options are), the most important thing is to make sure you have enough cash in reserve to fly back home if things don't work out and/or when your money runs out. In other words, figure out how much money you can afford to spend on the trip in advance and when you've used that up, that's when it's time to dip into your reserves and catch the next flight home.
Good luck, and please keep us posted as you learn more! This is turning out to be an interesting thread. |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 1:17 pm Post subject: Re: Internship in Nicaragua |
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| wanderingxelmundo wrote: |
I don't know what your other interests and experience are, but here's an internship that is "Volunteer Coordinator and English Teacher." You'd receive room and board, so while you wouldn't be completely supporting yourself you'd have the major expenses covered. You need at least conversational Spanish. It's in a nature reserve, so you'd need to be a nature lover and not looking for city life.
http://www.idealist.org/view/internship/kWWhn9gJPGW4/ |
Exactly! These are precisely the types of opportunities that I'd be looking into if I were the OP. |
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Zamin
Joined: 22 Feb 2015
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 6:24 am Post subject: Re: Teach In Nicaragua |
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| esl_prof wrote: |
| Zamin wrote: |
| Is it only possible to volunteer in Nicaragua? |
If you can find a volunteer gig that offers a small stipend or, better yet, will provide room and board in exchange for teaching, you'll probably do better. You could likely get hired at a local language school easily enough. But given a choice between working for peanuts for a possibly unscrupulous employer (not to mention the hassle of trying to get legal working papers and/or doing regular border hops) and volunteering for a reputable NGO, I'd definitely go with the latter. But, then again, that's just me.
You might try contacting the Binational Centers in Nicaragua or neighboring countries that you might be interested in:
http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/usia/E-USIA/education/engteaching/eal-elp1.htm#Nic
I don't expect you'd be offered anything until you're there in person but, possibly, they'd be able to give you a sense of what opportunities may be available.
I was offered a job once, years ago, by the Binational Center in the Dominican Republic and, while it didn't pay much (and I ultimately turned it down in favor or pursuing other opportunities in neighboring Puerto Rico), it likely would have been a good place to get some experience and, as I was living pretty frugally anyway, I probably wouldn't have had to dip into my savings too often.
Otherwise, you're doing everything correctly in terms of networking via the Facebook expat groups and with your friends who have lived and worked in Central America. If, as you have read, there are jobs available, somebody should know something. Another idea, possibly a longshot but worth trying, would be to attempt to e-mail or otherwise make contact with some of the authors you have been reading who seem to be much more knowledgeable about employment opportunities in Nicaragua.
Private tutoring can be another option (and there are numerous threads about how to go about doing that on these forums). One of my former classmates was able to prolong an extended stay in Guatemala solely by taking on private students. Again, you're not going to finance your entire visit this way. But, it's an option for making some pocket money along the way.
If your plan is to just head down there and check things out (which, frankly, is probably the best way to get started once you've completed your initial research and know what some of the options are), the most important thing is to make sure you have enough cash in reserve to fly back home if things don't work out and/or when your money runs out. In other words, figure out how much money you can afford to spend on the trip in advance and when you've used that up, that's when it's time to dip into your reserves and catch the next flight home.
Good luck, and please keep us posted as you learn more! This is turning out to be an interesting thread. |
Thanks,
Yes I didn't think of contacting the authors so that is definitely something I can explore!
I have planned to have enough money saved for my return ticket, in case I do need to leave but thanks for re-iterating the importance of that!
Private students could potentially be an option and I will check out that link 
You've provided so much information, beyond what I would have expected so I thank you sincerely! |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 12:52 pm Post subject: Re: Teach In Nicaragua |
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| Zamin wrote: |
| You've provided so much information, beyond what I would have expected so I thank you sincerely! |
You're welcome! |
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c_destru
Joined: 27 Apr 2015
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 7:27 pm Post subject: Re: Teach In Nicaragua |
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| Zamin wrote: |
| esl_prof wrote: |
| Zamin wrote: |
| Is it only possible to volunteer in Nicaragua? |
If you can find a volunteer gig that offers a small stipend or, better yet, will provide room and board in exchange for teaching, you'll probably do better. You could likely get hired at a local language school easily enough. But given a choice between working for peanuts for a possibly unscrupulous employer (not to mention the hassle of trying to get legal working papers and/or doing regular border hops) and volunteering for a reputable NGO, I'd definitely go with the latter. But, then again, that's just me.
You might try contacting the Binational Centers in Nicaragua or neighboring countries that you might be interested in:
http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/usia/E-USIA/education/engteaching/eal-elp1.htm#Nic
I don't expect you'd be offered anything until you're there in person but, possibly, they'd be able to give you a sense of what opportunities may be available.
I was offered a job once, years ago, by the Binational Center in the Dominican Republic and, while it didn't pay much (and I ultimately turned it down in favor or pursuing other opportunities in neighboring Puerto Rico), it likely would have been a good place to get some experience and, as I was living pretty frugally anyway, I probably wouldn't have had to dip into my savings too often.
Otherwise, you're doing everything correctly in terms of networking via the Facebook expat groups and with your friends who have lived and worked in Central America. If, as you have read, there are jobs available, somebody should know something. Another idea, possibly a longshot but worth trying, would be to attempt to e-mail or otherwise make contact with some of the authors you have been reading who seem to be much more knowledgeable about employment opportunities in Nicaragua.
Private tutoring can be another option (and there are numerous threads about how to go about doing that on these forums). One of my former classmates was able to prolong an extended stay in Guatemala solely by taking on private students. Again, you're not going to finance your entire visit this way. But, it's an option for making some pocket money along the way.
If your plan is to just head down there and check things out (which, frankly, is probably the best way to get started once you've completed your initial research and know what some of the options are), the most important thing is to make sure you have enough cash in reserve to fly back home if things don't work out and/or when your money runs out. In other words, figure out how much money you can afford to spend on the trip in advance and when you've used that up, that's when it's time to dip into your reserves and catch the next flight home.
Good luck, and please keep us posted as you learn more! This is turning out to be an interesting thread. |
Thanks,
Yes I didn't think of contacting the authors so that is definitely something I can explore!
I have planned to have enough money saved for my return ticket, in case I do need to leave but thanks for re-iterating the importance of that!
Private students could potentially be an option and I will check out that link
You've provided so much information, beyond what I would have expected so I thank you sincerely! |
keep us updated on your finds! I'll be getting my TESOL certificate in a year and i'll be looking for either in nicaragua / guatemala / Honduras. good luck!! |
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Cruiser
Joined: 26 Nov 2010
Posts: 39
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| Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 6:10 pm Post subject: Re: Teach In Nicaragua |
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| Zamin wrote: |
Hey,
This year I am planning to move to Nicaragua to teach. |
Great idea! You may be stuck in Managua if you want to make any real money. Not a great city by any standard. But you could probably get on at Academia Europea in a nice place, maybe Granada, or somewhere up north, Leon perhaps. Nicaragua is beautiful!
http://www.academiaeuropea.com/ |
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