Job Discussion Forums

Chris420 · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 36

Hello. My name is Chris. I'm 22 years old and I live in Canada. I'm looking for a good latin amreican country where I can work and save up money. Are there any safe countries in that area where a new teacher could work? Thanks.
Chris420

p.s. Do any of you know of any good websites with job postings?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 7:11 pm Post subject:

Hi Chris,
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I have travelled the world, and Latin America, pretty extensively, and I know of no Latin American countries where you could work and save up.

The thing is, these countries are generally economically depressed, which means that entry level jobs pay badly. And it doesn't look like you're qualified for anything higher than entry level. People do save money, but they are working in universities, private schools, or the best language institutes. They aren't doing the hours here, hours there game that a new, underqualified teacher would have to get into.

Sorry,

Justin [/i]

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

In the part of Latin America that I'm familiar with, you might be able to find a job teaching EFL, but it would be at the low end of the scale. You wouldn't be putting any money into savings. Actually, you'd be lucky if you could break even while living very conservatively.

Michael Smith · Joined: 20 May 2005 Posts: 7

Speaking as someone with no degree, it is possible.... after a few years. I came to Mexico a good few years ago with no qualification (but a few years' experience) and after three or four years I was making enough to save and travel back to Scotland each year and stuff like that. Basically it boils down to whether or not you're willing to put in the work (which at first will probably include 40+ hour 6-day weeks) and the time.

MELEE · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 5:09 pm Post subject:

Most people work in their home country to save up money to come to Latin America!

When I was fresh out of uni (also 22 but with a degree) I went to Ecuador with my ex for six months. The main purpose of the trip was to imporve our Spanish and exapand our experience living abroad (we'd both studied abroad previously). We got jobs teaching English a couple of hours a week to strecth our savings and to give us more contact with locals. We had a great time and at the end of the six months, we'd SPENT 2000 US $ of our savings, including plane tickets and some rather expensive pre trip vaccinations (this was pre dollarization). We had a wonderful time. It was a life changing unforgettable experience for both of us. I went on to a career in EFL, he did not. But it was the best $2000 we'd ever spent.

If you want to save up money, you might still be able to do so in Korea or Taiwan...

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Does being a new teacher mean you have no experience? If so, you are not a teacher, so far as I can tell. Folks like you used to be able to get jobs in Latin America--not any more. At least none that would pay a living wage.

Ryumicko · Joined: 16 Jul 2005 Posts: 37

Blam Blam blam.....now hes a burning wreck plummeting into the ocean.

nice one guys.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Hey--back off.

The OP did not tell us if he had a degree, much less is he has had any teacher training. Yet he wants to know of a GOOD Latin American country (oops--attitude problem on the horizon) where he can SAVE money!

I think we were awfully polite, considering that he gave us no pertinent info and expected us to give him the world on a platter....

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2005 7:46 pm Post subject:

In fairness, the heading said "no degree," and we all know that that is a limiting factor. Not insurmountable, but certainly a limitation, especially in the beginning.

I certainly didn't mean to dash anybody's hopes on the rock of, well, reality. But I came to this continent some time ago, with a handful of years of experience, degree, and cert. I did NOT save any money in my first year, and little in my second. I would certainly want any friend of mine to know that, and not expect rosy times from the get go.

Regards,
Justin

ladygringa · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 14

chris, i understand your confusion. everyone is right about the saving $ thing.

However, i will tell you that everyone on this website is of the opinion that you must be a seasoned teacher to find work in LA. I question this, however, as I KNOW that there are many, many more people in LA who want to learn English than native speakers (who are serious teachers) and are willing to spend a significant amount of time living and working in LA for crappy wages.

With that said, i will warn you that I myself have not yet been to LA as a teacher (only as a student). But I have read things on other sites that say finding work for native speakers with a BA (although i know you don't have one) is relatively easy. Therefore, i plan on bringing enough money to support myself for 2 months, and if i can't find work, i'll just have to go home.

latin america is not safe.

i have found no good sites with job postings. I am afraid you will have to do the job seeking yourself.

keep motivated and focused! That's the only way anything is ever accomplished! GOOD LUCK.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

ladygringa · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 14

"Latin America is not safe," means the following...

As a foreigner you will have to take extra precautions not to get robbed. Also, i would not recommend walking around alone at night, especially if you are a woman. Even for Ecuadorians, when they are robbed, the police don't help them. (This happened to my host family while I was in Quito.) I am aware that all large cities are risky places. But let's stop kidding ourselves and trying to be so PC. Latin america is a riskier place than say, Toronto, one of the safest cities in the world. I just thought he should know that since he asked.

But it doesn't make me love L.A. any less!

ladygringa · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 14

How about finding jobs for native speakers that aren't necessarily teaching, say at a hotel?

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