Job Discussion Forums

Patty · Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 5 Location: London England

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to hear about other people's opinions about my idea. I'm chilean (woopeedoo) and have been living in England for almost a decade. I'm contemplating moving back to Chile after I graduate. I'm planning to do the CELTA course after I finish Uni, but I've several questions that i hope some of you could help me with.
Basically, I have no experience of teaching adults, I've taught spanish on a one to one basis a couple of years ago. My English is seemingly very good as I finished secondary school here in the UK, also did a couple of courses at college and i'm about to get a degree in sociology, but I'm still not 100% confident I could teach English, because I have a strong spanish accent.
So, my questions are how likely am i to pass the CELTA course even if i'm not a native english speaker? Will I have any chance of finding a job as an english teacher?
One of my lecturers told me she wanted to teach english but she didnt get a job because she was not a native English speaker. That comment made me a little worried :S

anyway, hope somebody can give me some reassurance, I'd really like to become a teacher and help my fellow chilean get fluent in English, and also have a career prospect if i decide to go back.

Thank you so much Wink

Patty · Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 5 Location: London England

almost 100 views and no replies yet?
Confused

-Stu- · Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 92 Location: Santiago, Chile

Quite a few English schools in Santiago employ Chileans and other non-native speakers. However i think there is some further qualification that you must do to prove your ability to speak English. I have a few Chilean friends that teach English, i'll ask them for you.

Patty · Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 5 Location: London England

Thank you so much Stu

eileen · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 71

Nearly everyone who teaches English in Chile is a non-native speaker, and lots of them have nonnative accents. There are some small institutes that will hire only native English speakers, but they are few and far between.

I don't think that being a nonnative speaker of English will prevent you from getting a job. I work at a major institute with 180 teachers, and nearly 160 of them are Chilean.

Generally you should have to take a grammar test and score well on it. Some schools also ask you to take a methodology test, which is where the CELTA, TEFL or Master's in TESOL would be very helpful. If you want to work at a school (as opposed to an institute or university), they will probably require less, but the pay isn't great, and the environment can be very stressful, from what I've heard. Also you will likely be horrified by your coworkers� level of English. A lot of people have been thrown into teaching English because they speak a little due to the MINEDUC�s English Opens Doors thing.

Best of luck!

evansmith · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 34 Location: Stgo, Chile

The Great Toad · Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 3:00 am Post subject:

Mmm I was thinking Chile soon.. what City is warm and good for biking... I guess it would be good if you spoke Chilneses besides Ingles. Can I stay at your parents house until I find a plce to work and stay?
Laughing

Waht is your favorite city in Chilly Land Patty? Sshould I come teach in your Land or go to Costa Rica? Wwhose Spainish is closest to Spainish Spainish err Spain type formal Spainish?