Job Discussion Forums

roaster · Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 21

Hey all again!

I am planning on coming to Santiago now in August, after doing my CELTA back here in Scotland, with the plan of getting a job when I get there. The thing is though, that a lot of places seem to require at least a years experience.. something I am not going to have. Is there anyone who has been, or will be in a similar position, and could perhaps offer advice as to places that take on teachers with no experience?

Daniela72 · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 2

Hi Roaster - I understand your predicament. I too am going to Santiago this year (in July) to teach English and I've seen a lot of ads that ask for at least one year experience (which, like you, I don't have). Therefore I would be interested in people's responses to your question as well! Can anyone help?? Smile

Daniela72 · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 2

Hi Roaster - I understand your predicament. I too am going to Santiago this year (in July) to teach English and I've seen a lot of ads that ask for at least one year experience (which, like you, I don't have). Therefore I would be interested in people's responses to your question as well! Can anyone help?? Smile

roaster · Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 21

Hi,
It seems that they are just the jobs that are advertised online that require one years experience...can anyone clarify this for me? Is it possible to find a job quite easily requiring no experience?
I thought that I had struck gold with the British council language assistant program, however I have since discovered that it requires me to have a higher level of Spanish than I do. (I only have one year's beginners!) So I guess my next question, is how important is proficiency in Spanish?

With limited Spanish, no experience, and only a Celta... what are my chances of finding work in August? (Hhaha i don't mean to sound too dramatic! I just want to know the reality!)

BurnChurch · Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 34

Actually, all you need is to show any chilean company you have plenty of time to teach. If you go like "hey I want part time or only tuesdays and saturdays" you would be narrowing your chances.
Show them you have all the time they want, and you will see differences.
I am 100% sure.

Take care

Bernie · Joined: 03 Dec 2004 Posts: 20

Hi there,

A lot of places ask for one year's experience as standard. Personally I don't think it matters nearly as much as you fear. Most places are happy if you are here, in person, ready to work and offer them your commitment. Showing genuine interest and demonstrating that you are committed to doing a good job goes a long way.

If you find yourself being knocked back from a place you really want to teach at, you could offer to give them a sample lesson plan or do a demo lesson for them. Get a reference from you CELTA tutor, as this can help.

In the meantime before you arrive, you could try and get some teaching experience. How about teaching in summer school? I know that these will be operating from about June to August. (PM me if you need help finding out more on this.) Or you could teach on a voluntary basis in your community.

On a personal level, having a bit of experience behind you can help ease a lot of initial fears before travelling abroad. However, if this is not an option for you, you may want to ask about teacher obsevations and teacher development when you consider job offers once you are here.

Hope this helps.

Joeldew · Joined: 02 Jan 2005 Posts: 17

Excellent question�.Don�t be afraid to highlight other experience!!!

Indeed, a year�s experience is the norm but in many cases, this could be an indirect way of marketing their schools. By advertising that the requirement is a year�s experience projects the image that they employ �experienced and qualified� teachers.

In reality, if one possesses some experience and qualification, one would NOT want to work for some of these organisations. One would look for organisations with respectable and reputable status such as a university or an adult education college.

Despite having less than a year�s experience, I have recently been offered employment in Chile and Russia � both schools advertised �at least two-three years teaching experience�. What a waste of advertising space!!!

I have spent the last seven years in the corporate world and possess a Commerce degree, Cert TESOL and MA (Linguistics). When questioned, I made it perfectly clear to these schools that the Corporate World pays me FAR more than teaching English. They have to accept that my Corporate experience accounts for something, especially when Business English is what they are trying to market to their potential students. I challenged them to find another teacher with corporate experience and ESL background who is willing to work for such little money and conditions. Not surprisingly, they could not give me a decent answer. As such, they want me to start straight away. (I will be in Chile in August).

They have also asked me to help them recruit �teachers� with similar background. These schools need to be reminded that we do this for the cultural experience, certainly NOT for the money. If money was the motivating factor, we would have stayed in the corporate world.

Hence, don�t be intimidated. Please don�t be afraid of applying for these positions but highlight your other work experience.

Best of Luck

Joel

bzakka · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 48 Location: Santiago, Chile

Yeah, I have to agree. They want to advertise experienced teachers, but the most important thing is your availability. IF you are totally free you�ll get classes in no time. There are institutions all over the place and they are all looking for teachers. You mind want to come a bit earlier, like May or June if you can. Those are the peak times.

bzakka