Job Discussion Forums

[Paul-O]

Hey everyone...I'm 21 and just finished with my 4 year degree here in NY, USA... here are a few general questions for the fine people of ESLCafe.

1. It appears to me that going with a teaching school and/or certification is basically taking a huge gamble, which is something I don't have the risk tolerance to do...is it possible to be self-taught in English teaching? It appears as if demand for teachers in SA (specifically, in Santiago, my current object of affection) is reasonably good. My English is obviously fluent, my Spanish not too bad, and I look pretty good in a suit-will several months of self-study prepare me to teach and enable me to live the Chilean life?

2. Are there any other skills (ones not directly related to ESL) that would be of assistance in (for example) Santiago? For example, IT certifications, knowledge of a particular area (business, economics, etc), nunchucks skills, skateboarding skills, etc etc?

3. Whats the deal with airfares to Santiago? Always 1,000+? Is it possible to refund your return ticket once you arrive?

4. Am I barking up the wrong tree entirely? Because that's how it feels sometimes.

Thanks everyone.

Paul-O

[Chazz]

if you are gonna do teacher training then just do one of the courses offered at home in the states, don't bother taking the chance on one down there. With a degree you may not need one but they always help.
You will definately need nunchuck skills. If not in Santiago, then definately at some point in your life, so wax on and off and work those nunchuck Grasshopper.
I am twenty-one and somehow ended up in Honduras...it is all sort of blur to me now. I am no old hand or anything but my recomendation are to get as many first hand opinions and stories as possible. Obviously you want to research the history and all a little bit too...but really, not much will prepare you for it so pack what you need but BRING NO EXPECTATIONS...other than for the unexpected.
I found that any expectations I had when I got down here merely interfered with my ability to drink in a world that is way different and a people that are essentially the same as people anywhere, but for worldly differences.
Godspeed.

[Gringo Greg]

My suggestion is to put together a few thousand and head to Mexico City for several months. Find a job at any of the myriad of low wage jobs available and learn that way. Self teaching at home doesn't work for teaching. Buy a good grammar book and teaching book and start preparing lessons. They will be wretched to start out with but after a few months they will be ok. Then go where you want to go.

In the English teaching industry, looking good in a suit, being friendly, talkative, and a good listener is all you really need. Putting together a good lesson is optional, but it is the way you start making good money.

[denise]

Paul-O,

Where did you get the impression that training courses were a huge gamble? Yeah, there are some scams out there, but most places are reputable, and you may need a certificate to get a job. And even if it�s not a necessity, it will really help you! Yes, there are books out there about teaching, grammar, etc., but you won`t get the opportunity to practice what you`re reading.

I flew on Lan to Santiago and it was under $1000. Not by much, though! And if you want to refund your return ticket, MAKE SURE you get the right kind of ticket! If you go for the cheapest option, it will have loads of restrictions, and you will lose the money. That happened to me! At a Lan office in Santiago, at first they told me I could exchange it for another fare (Buenos Aires, here I come!), but after looking at my original ticket again, they said, Oooops, we�re sorry, you can`t go to BA and we can`t refund your ticket. You lose! I was tempted to boycott LanChile for the rest of my life, but I realized 1) it was kinda my own fault for not checking before I booked the original flight and 2) there aren`t that many alternatives down here! Ooops, sorry to ramble... Check with your travel agent before buying, or, better yet, buy a one-way ticket.

d

[Guy Courchesne]

I have no idea on prices or destinations, but you might check with COPA airlines as well.

[Justin Trullinger]

If you do your research and choose a good one, a cert really isn't a gamble. But yeah, I suppose it's possible to be self taught in English teaching. Probably in medicine and law, too, for all I know. But the thing is, how do I (or other potential employer) know that you are succesfully self taught? This is why the cert turns out to be worth the investment, a lot of the time.

It's very likely that you'll find a job with no specialized teacher training. Not likely to be a good one, though. And, if you're interested and bright, you'll learn on the job. And with a year or so under your belt, you'll move on to a slightly higher tier of teaching. (Which is where the cert might have helped you "step up" to in the first place.)

A one month cert isn't much, but it's a start.

Good luck,
Justin

[naturegirl321]

If you have TEFL experience, PM me and I might be able to help you out.