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katie0116
Joined: 22 Mar 2005
Posts: 8
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 Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 9:38 pm Post subject: Argentina versus Spain |
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| This is not a football post, though that would be a good match. No, I'm debating between taking a TEFL/CELTA course in Argentina or Spain (Or possibly Chile) and then living in that country for a year, teaching, and polishing my Spanish. I would also want to have time to spend on my own creative writing (sounds rather ambitious, I know). It seems that this would be possible and enjoyable (though difficult) in either place. I have an affinity for Latin America, have travelled widely there, and I am intrigued by Spain and wider Europe, but I have never been there. I'm just looking for feedback to help me settle this question. I'd love to hear what you think. |
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snielz
Joined: 05 Apr 2005
Posts: 165
Location: Buenos Aires
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| Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Europe is amazing but very expensive. I think it is a great idea to be a starving artist/writer but I'm guessing you might starve a little less in S.A. You would have to work a lot probably in Europe in order to make enough money which may not leave much time or money for writing and travelling... |
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amy1982
Joined: 09 Dec 2004
Posts: 192
Location: Buenos Aires
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| Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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but keep in mind that you also get paid less in south america...
i don't know whether or not it evens out, but there is a thread somewhere that talks about the relative cost of living in various countries in south america, that might help you. i believe it is in the general latin american forum. |
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katie0116
Joined: 22 Mar 2005
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:05 pm Post subject: Argentina versus Spain |
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Thanks for the responses. The idea I'm getting is that Spain is more expensive, but you also make more money; Argentina is cheaper, but you make less money. I've heard that from a few different sources. It is very hard to nail down exactly, but it seems like it all probably balances out with a lower wage and a lower cost of living in Argentina. Does that seem accurate?
My main concern, right now is that if I came to Argentina, I would be taking a course in August, and I have heard that the best time to look for jobs there is in April. I'm wondering if it will be possible to make a financial go of it, coming at that time of year? Do things come to a halt during the (South American) Summer holiday? Are contracts signed in March and are you out of luck if not there then?
Any feedback on these questions would be helpful to me. |
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matttheboy
Joined: 01 Jul 2003
Posts: 854
Location: Valparaiso, Chile
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| Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:04 pm Post subject: Re: Argentina versus Spain |
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| katie0116 wrote: |
Thanks for the responses. The idea I'm getting is that Spain is more expensive, but you also make more money; Argentina is cheaper, but you make less money. I've heard that from a few different sources. It is very hard to nail down exactly, but it seems like it all probably balances out with a lower wage and a lower cost of living in Argentina. Does that seem accurate?
My main concern, right now is that if I came to Argentina, I would be taking a course in August, and I have heard that the best time to look for jobs there is in April. I'm wondering if it will be possible to make a financial go of it, coming at that time of year? Do things come to a halt during the (South American) Summer holiday? Are contracts signed in March and are you out of luck if not there then?
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In the world of Latin American TEFL contracts are almost never signed as they almost never exist. Late February is the best time to get a job here but i'm pretty sure there's work all the way until early december when the summer holidays start. The absolute worst for work here is late january-early february when the whole city is on holiday (it resembles a sunday for almost a month which is really nice).
Obviously Argentina is cheaper than Spain (although it wasn't before the crisis and devaluation in late 2001) and the cost of living is increasing here, inflation on staple goods such as beef is fairly high but not too bad. The problem is is that telf wages simply don't increase, 15pesos being the standard. Can't see that increasing in the near future when so many people are coming to buenos aires (because it's so cheap now) and looking for supplement travelling money with teaching. Argentina is dirt cheap if you have pounds or euros saved up, but less cheap if you have dollars (but still pretty good value).
A year ago i'd have said that 1000 pesos a month was enough to live reasonably happily on but now i'd say that 12-1400 is the minimum. Flat rentals have increased disproportionately in relation to general inflation.
Having said all this, if you work hard enough you can live ok here as a teacher.
Matt |
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katie0116
Joined: 22 Mar 2005
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:58 pm Post subject: Argentina versus Spain |
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Matt,
Thanks for the very useful information. I'm assuming that's 15 pesos an hour. So that sounds like 20-25 hours a week in the classroom in order to make a livable wage? Any recommendations on TEFL certification programs there? I was looking at EBC. Again, many thanks. |
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