Job Discussion Forums

[Davicho]

I would like to know the pros and cons of a TEFL certified person teaching in South America at a private English institution vs. teaching English (still as a foreign language) at the University level. Which position typically pays more, for example. Or, if some of you have taught in one or the other (especially at the university level) or both, which do you prefer, and why?

Thanks!

[Justin Trullinger]

Universities are extremely varied, as are language institutes. But in general, I have found unis to be more stable, (often a fixed contract, rather than hourly pay) more formal in terms of structure, and potentially more boring. Here in Ecuador, at least, university based language programs tend to be assembly lines, in terms of structure. (teaching the same levels several times, set texts that must be followed at each level, detailed exams and sylabus that you must follow)

Institutes pay comparably, but are less stable. (hours go up and down a great deal, and pay goes with them) Teaching in institutes is preferable, to me, because of the variety classes. (Adults, teenagers, kids, one to one, groups, exam prep, specific purposes are all usually part of a months work.) But the check can vary a lot from month to month.

Both pay well about the same, overall, but I guess unis would be the winner for stability and low stress lifestyle. For me, a GOOD institute, which may not mean most institutes, is more professionally satisfying.

Regards,
Justin

[MELEE]

One of the often over looked differences are the benefits packages. Private institutes (more often in asia) offer their foreign staff, specific foreign staff type benefits, like paying for work visas, airfare, providing housing, etc. At university where I work, the foreign teachers get exactly the same benefits as the local teachers. Obviously the local teachers don't get international airfare paid for nor have work visa fees. However, we do get a really great benefits package, its just that most of the teachers in the English department are not in the position to take advantage of it. For example as part of my social security package I got a no interest housing loan, and my two daughters have just started at the social security daycare center, for which I pay no additional cost. If you are thinking of sticking around, I think university is the better of the two.

By the way, in 1998 I arrived thinking I'd stay in Mexico for a year, two max.

[Davicho]

I am definitely thinking of staying there for a while, so maybe University is the way to go in the long run.

Obviously international airfare as it relates to a benefits package would vary depending on the institution, but does the place you teach at offer annual airfare or just the initial cost of flying you there to start teaching?

Which have you seen to be the standard among places offering airfare among the benefits?

Thanks

[lozwich]

At the risk of sounding like a left-wing hippy (can't help it; I yam what I yam.. ), I found the year I worked in a public university in Mexico immensely more personally satisfying than the time I've spent working in private institutes.

Where I am now, I've got more money than I've had in a long time, and airfares paid and all that, but working in a public university where I had the opportunity to teach students who, because of economic and other constraints, may never before have had the opportunity to learn another language and improve their lot for themselves made me feel a lot better about my place in the world than here in private academy land where I am occasionally treated like a language slave by my well-off, sometimes very spoiled students.

I'm not trying to judge here, just saying how I feel about my teaching experience. I hope to one day get back into the public university system, but am using the higher pay I get here to help me with a Master's etc..

Have a good day.

Lozwich.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[MELEE]

[Cdaniels]