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What are my Odds?
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Sabine11



Joined: 01 May 2006
Posts: 111
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 11:58 pm    Post subject: What are my Odds? Reply with quote

Hey there;

I`ve been studying all your posts in this forum and it answered the vast majority of my questions about moving to B.A. I want to thank everybody for putting your valuable input, REALLY helpful..

I know the peak hiring season is in Feb. and March, I`ll be coming to B.A. in September because I don`t think I can suffer another Canadian winter (I`m from Ottawa)...

My only question is, what are my odds of finding a job teaching English and French in B.A., with a TEFL cert. and some tutoring experience, if arrive there in Septmeber?

It would be great to meet you guys in person down there!..

All the best, Sab
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BoogaJuice



Joined: 10 Jun 2006
Posts: 21

PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey there!
I can't answer your question because I'm about to venture out for the first time too. I just wanted to mention I agree with the Canadian winter thing. I'm from Toronto but I've been to Ottawa a few times too. I'm heading south in September too because I can't stand the cold. Maybe I'll see you there.
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Smidge



Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 22
Location: Buenos Aires

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:46 pm    Post subject: Re: What are my Odds? Reply with quote

I arrived in September last year. In my opinion, the downside of arriving later in the year is that it's closer to December when the amount of classes will drop off rapidly due to vacations.

It always takes time to build up classes and get a decent schedule. I started looking for work in October but really only had a decent amount of classes in November. A lot of these classes ended in December and I was left looking for other options.

The fact that so many institutes are closed from December until January/February makes me think that there should be good opportunities setting something up privately. This theory is entirely unproven though. Last year I was giving serious thought to offering summer vacation classes (in Taiwan, the summer vacation is the busiest time of year) and I went as far as designing flyers. In the end though I ended up doing something else (which is entirely off-topic).

I can't help you regarding teaching French.
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bluestaterefugee



Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 1
Location: Buenos Aires

PostPosted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 1:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can't tell you how it would be in September but at the moment it's definately a teacher's market out there if you're a native speaker. I spent one day pounding the pavement giving out 13 CVs and sent two via the net and five days later I had 4 job offers. Now it's a matter of juggling hours until I get a sufficient amount from just one or two employers. The response really took me off guard but maybe the tide has finally turned on the Argentine economy. Now getting affordable housing is a completely different ball game!
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supertraveller



Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Bolivia

PostPosted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 1:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wouldn't go to Argentina to teach English. Avoid it unless you have a lot saved up and you want to be living paycheck to paycheck. I did the same thing recently and ended up loving the place, but living there is a completely different story. I had job offers all over the place, but the problem was, there aren't that many good schools so most of the offers were for places with poor reputations. And the pay, well, let me give you an indication. They pay, on the high end, 4 or 5 dollars usd an hour. If you work 25 hours a week, that comes to around 500 dollars. Rent in a small tidy place anywhere near the centre could cost anywhere from 40-60 percent of that. Trust me, it was a shock for me. And Buenos Aires is expensive! From the time I went to look for jobs to the time I returned on vacation, about 1 year, prices had gone up 25-40 percent. It took a lot of hard work and I did get some decent offers but figured it wasn't worth the hassle, so I left and went to another country. Another thing to consider, travel time. A lot of the schools will give you in-company classes and they don't pay you for the time it takes for you to get there. So, if you work 25 hours a week, double that at least with travel and planning time. If you have any more questions, just ask. I don't mean to discourage you, but I wish someone had told me what I am telling you before I had gone. Anyway, I ended up getting a really good job and loved South America. Back in Canada now, deciding what to do. Take care.
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supertraveller



Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 65
Location: Bolivia

PostPosted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 1:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I meant to say that the salary would come out to 500 usd a month, and the same for rent.
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sheena maclean



Joined: 22 Nov 2004
Posts: 165
Location: Glasgow, Scotland-missing BsAs but loving Glasgow

PostPosted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I couldn't agree more!!! Be very careful if you are thinking of coming here!! Everything may seem cheap and rosy before you come but the truth is a different matter. I'm off in two months after being here for over a year, quite a while for an EFL teacher, but it's finally beaten me into submission!!! hahahaha
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Maria Kirby



Joined: 26 May 2004
Posts: 56

PostPosted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Sheena,

What about other Latin American cities or Spain, where your Spanish and TEFL experience in a Spanish speaking environment might come in handy? Or are you completely packing in the whole TEFL gig? I've been here since Aug 05 so I guess I've been here more than other EFL teachers as well. Just wondering what I'll do come Nov, Dec ...

Maria
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sheena maclean



Joined: 22 Nov 2004
Posts: 165
Location: Glasgow, Scotland-missing BsAs but loving Glasgow

PostPosted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Maria
I've already been in South America for over 2 years now, having spent one year teaching in Colombia. I think I need a break now from the Latin amateur dramatics!!!! I think I'll head back home to Glasgow and get a proper job. I may think about going somewhere else but I'm not sure where that'll be. I really want to avoid spanish speaking countries for a while at least, I've had my fill for the time being. Finding it pretty hard to get a decent job as most countries which pay a half decent salary require a degree to get the work visa which is something I don't have so it does limit my options some what.
By the way what did you do in November and December last year for work? I was working in a call centre for a few months, which as an absolute godsend!!! I really don't even want to think about what I would have done if I hadn't had that!
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Maria Kirby



Joined: 26 May 2004
Posts: 56

PostPosted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Sheena,

Tell me about it. I started my EFL teaching in Madrid and over there November and December were no different from the other months so I wasn't prepared fro Nov, Dec BsAs style.

The other teachers I met had classes ending and they were talking about March as the restart of their classes! 3-4 months of no work??? I asked the TEFL school I studied with to resend my resume to all the "institutos" on their list and I got lucky. I got lucky because of sheer numbers, my resume got sent to around 150 "institutos" in BsAs and surprisingly the 2 schools who seemed the most professional had work for me all the way to the 3rd week of Dec, just days before Christmas. They worked with foreign companies wanting interpreters/translators so my English/Spanish came in handy. They hired me to act as interpreter for the US big wigs visiting BsAs and as an English teacher for the local office staff. So not your usual English teaching job but it was good. The call centers I spoke to wanted a DNI or a visa. So I had no luck with them.

I guess that's why I mentioned making use of your experience working in Spanish speaking environments and the Spanish language as something that could come in handy .... but as you mentioned, you need a break from the Latin amateur dramatics. Well, I'm sure if Glasgow becomes too chilly and cold, you can always head back to the warmer Spanish climates. �Buena suerte y que todo te vaya bien!


Maria
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Sabine11



Joined: 01 May 2006
Posts: 111
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 12:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey everyone!!

Haven't been here in a while!! Just read all your post and thanks alot for the eye-opening advice..

I'm still going to come down to B.A. and give it a try... If it dosen't work out, I can always try in another country in South America..

I'm planning on coming in mid-Sepetmber, I'll be staying in a hostel (of course), and we'll see. I have some cash saved up so I should be able to survive there a couple of months at least..

Anyone interested in meeting up with me there, can leave me a pm. and I can update you on where and when I'll be in B.A...

By the way, what other "goods places" in South America would some of you recommend to teach as an alternative to Argentina (just curious)?..

Thanks again, cheers,
Sabine
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vivaBarca



Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 151
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, before you give Argentine the boot altogether you should consider another city aside from Buenos Aires. It�s a big crazy place that can wear you out, but there are a few other places that aren�t as mentally and physically taxing and that have decent teaching markets.

For example, C�rdoba or Rosario...Mendoza or Bariloche perhaps too. While they may not pay as well as BA, the cost of living is significantly lower so at least your savings will take you further. Not to mention, there are a lot less foreigners in these places so if you want to immerse yourself with Spanish speakers it�s that much easier.
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Sabine11



Joined: 01 May 2006
Posts: 111
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 9:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cool..

Thanks, I've thought of going for other quiter towns in Argentina (I happen to not like large cities, living in Montreal drove me nuts!!)....

My only concern about that is the travellign to get to Uruguay to do the tourist visa renewal thing.. It seems like a hassle to travel for hours by bus or train to get to the nearest border.. Was that an issue for you?

But yes, I'd love to try Rosario, or even Bahia Blanca..

Sab
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kparsons



Joined: 30 Jun 2005
Posts: 63
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

PostPosted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 1:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've been studying up on teaching in Argentina, and until I read this discussion, I was all set to pack my bags. I'm a bit confused now -- everything else I've read on this forum led me to believe one could make $15+ an hour teaching -- then I read this thread which mentions 1/3 that salary.... Which is correct? That's a big difference -- is the market really that varied? Any replies would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!
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Phil_b



Joined: 14 Oct 2003
Posts: 239
Location: Back in London

PostPosted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sabine - If you went to Rosario you'd still be really close to Uruguay to cross the border - That was a bit of a pain when I was in Cordoba.... it's a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG way

Kparsons - I think you've confused currencies - in Argentina $15 means 15 pesos - which is about �3 - so I guess about 5 dollars. You might earn more than that per hour, especially if you do private classes, but U$15 is unlikely (that's somwhere around $45) - I don't know if that changes the living expenses that you've seen....

As to living expenses - Buenos Aires is much more expensive than the rest of the country - I've never worked there, so I don't know how practical it is. As to my experience, I didn't make any financial profit from the year I spent in Cordoba, but then I wasn't really trying...

From personal experience I reckon I had a much more comfortable income:expenses ratio when I was working in Asunci�n, Paraguay.
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