Job Discussion Forums

Ai · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 154 Location: Chile

Hello. I too am thinking of coming to Chile to teach English and I have some questions.

First, I�ll give you a bit of information about myself. I�m a 24-year-old American woman. I have a BA in French and an MA in TEFL. I have a very basic command of Spanish (enough to have a simple conversation but nothing deep and meaningful). I have taught EFL for about 2 years in Ireland and currently, Japan. I will be working in Japan until next spring. I hope to come to Chile in May of 2007.

I have been reading the threads on this forum but I want to ask a few questions and clear a few things up. Here it goes:

1. I�ve read that March is the main hiring time. I will be arriving in early may, will this be a problem?
2. It seems to be the consensus that it is best to come here and then find a job. Do you agree?
3. If I come with US$2,000 will it be sufficient?
4. How long does it usually take to find work after you arrive?
5. What kinds of teaching jobs are available? I have a MA and am interested in gaining university experience but at the same time I love working with kids. So I would be willing to work in a language center that had a mix of age groups.
6. Last and most general questions: Are you enjoying yourself? What did you wish you knew before you came?

erynn1105 · Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Posts: 10 Location: Santiago, Chile

1. I�ve read that March is the main hiring time. I will be arriving in early may, will this be a problem?

No, not at all. Schools seem to hire all year round. You may not get a full load at one institute, though.

2. It seems to be the consensus that it is best to come here and then find a job. Do you agree?

Yes. Most of the companies that hire from abroad are doing so because people in Chile already realize they're awful so they need to recruit rookies.

3. If I come with US$2,000 will it be sufficient?

Probably. But, keep in mind that Chile is not cheap. Read previous posts for info on this.

4. How long does it usually take to find work after you arrive?

Depends on the time. Now a lot of companies are requiring demos so the process becomes longer. Also, you may have to accumulate hours among several institutes. This can be a pain in the ass. Often these courses end at different times so you're left with gaps in your schedule. It's a constant process unless you're lucky to find a good solid job at a dependable institute.

5. What kinds of teaching jobs are available? I have a MA and am interested in gaining university experience but at the same time I love working with kids. So I would be willing to work in a language center that had a mix of age groups.

Don't know a lot about universities, most teachers in santiago are at institutes. These are privately owned, often by assholes who are just trying to make a buck. You have a split daily schedule and travel throughout the city. Sometimes the classes are at the institute, but usually these pay a lower hourly wage.

6. Last and most general questions: Are you enjoying yourself? What did you wish you knew before you came?

I left Chile recently. But I had a bad experience with an institute(Curtis Language Consulting), as have many others. Personally, I think Santiago is not a fabulous place to live. Just keep in mind that Chile is much more expensive than you think. Plan accordingly.

Ai · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 154 Location: Chile

Thanks a million for the info Erynn. I'm currently working loads of over time so hopefully I will have more than the US$2000 to come with.

erynn1105 · Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Posts: 10 Location: Santiago, Chile

In my experience, the students were mostly adults. But this is working at the private institutes, which seem to be where most English teaching jobs are. These "schools" make their money by selling classes to businesses who then get a tax break. Therefore, the clients are adult employees of the companies. This process, in theory, is great for advancing English in the business world. However, unless the government is checking up on the instruction quality and institute behavior, sketchiness and 'assholeness' is bound to be rampant (sidenote: especially in chile Wink

. But, if you have experience teaching, you know this phenomenon is common throughout the int'l TEFL world, and there are surely a good handful of people who enjoy their TEFL time in Chile. I must be honest though, most people there whom I met were constantly searching for non-teaching jobs. The TEFL atmosphere there just isn't that great.

Frank1980 · Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Posts: 31

Hi
I would highly recommend working for a reputable school like Comunicorp. Please see my insights about that school in another posting.

In so far as money is concerned, $2,000 US is fine if you are planning on getting a job soon after arrival and living with other teachers or a family.

Chile is not cheap, but if you work for a reputable school you will be fine.

Chile is a great place. I think it is a shame that teachers that have had a bad experience in a poorly run language school bad-mouth all schools or speak poorly about the country.

Enjoy Chile. I am sure you will have a great time!

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

erynn1105 · Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Posts: 10 Location: Santiago, Chile

I was not bad mouthing the country...last time I checked, this website was about TEFL. The TEFL situation (especially in Santiago, as I mentioned) is not great. Sure, southern Chile is absolutely breathtaking. If you needed to hear that, there are plenty of other websites and resources making that claim. However, unless you have a bunch of bank to throw around, you won't be seeing much of it on the Chile TEFL teacher salary. Additionally, if you wanna see that guidebook glory, it's not in Santiago. As we all know, living in a place is completely different than traveling there.

Ai · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 154 Location: Chile

easton215 · Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 4:50 am Post subject:

Ai,

I spent last year teaching English in Santiago and Concepcion for a private institute. I just had a BA, TEFL Certificate, and no command of Spanish coming down. I think the fact that you have an MA in the field and going on 3 years teaching experience makes you a good candidate in Chile for an academic director or university position. I've studied abroad in Japan, and I also think its going to be a huge "work-culture" culture shock when you start here in Chile. Much much more relaxed and slower-paced, but also and often, inefficient. Biggest complaint overall among teachers was that paychecks were often late (and these are paychecks that only come once a month)! But, there are dumbasses around the world, and sounds like the owner of the first Japanese eikaiwa you worked for belongs in the same circle of hell as my old boss. Just don't let any schools bully you around about VISAs and Contracts. My advice: Get a regular teaching gig when you get there to get established, but look for a better SALARIED position, in a university or a director position in a private institute.