Job Discussion Forums

Stewsly · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 15

I am 28 and a certified public school teacher in the U.S., with 4 years of teaching experience. I am hoping to take a one year leave (just so that returning is an option) from my current position to teach abroad in Latin America. My goals are to live in a beatiful place near the ocean (I like to surf), work toward spanish fluency, experience a new culture, and make decent money (enough to pay about $350 in monthly bills back home in addition to modest living expenses.) Also, my girlfriend will be comming with me. She has a B.A. in Literature and Ed. and will be a cert. teacher in her state, but fresh out of school her only teaching experience comes from student-teaching. As a teaching pair with no dependents I am hoping we will find a good opportunity together.

So here are my Qs:

1.) neither of us are plannning to enroll in an ESL cert. program (i.e TESL). Hoping that our formal training and teaching experience will sufice. Is this safe to assume?

2). What types of schools should I look at that can provide decent pay, and offer one year contacts (or less)? Most international schools probably want two year commitments, I would assume, but the pay would be good and I think I'm qualified. As for ESL positions, the advantage would be that I could probably work less and travel more, but make much less.

3.) should I go through a placement organization or contact schools directly?

Any advice or links to related questions would be greatly appreciated. Once I get started I'll try heading to the Latin America Board for more specific questions.

Thanks,

Stew

keepwalking · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Peru, at last

Sending $350 home each month from somewhere like Peru would be pretty difficult. Wages here are low in American terms, but you can support a decent standard of living on $500 a month, outside Lima. If you live cheaply, you can do it on less - perhaps around $350 a month.

International schools tend to ask for two years commitment, and when you work for them you get a work visa, and promptly get hammered for tax. What looks like a fortune on paper can be reduced pretty dramatically, especially in the first year when you pay more tax. It goes down in the second year, but if you were only here for 1 year, you should bear in mind you could lose about 40% of your salary in tax, insurance etc.

If you can commit to two years, your options look better. If not, I would look elsewhere, outside of Peru. This is a great place if you have no financial commitments at home but I think you would struggle otherwise.

Stewsly · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 15

I probably would go to Argentina, Chile, or maybe even Coasta Rica. Would you guess that they pay better in those countries?

Also, can anyone answer my Q about whether we will need the TEFL cert., given the experience I have. Again, I'm sure its valuable but I'd like to do without it.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Stewsly · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 15

Funny you say that, I am a biology teacher. I'm sure the course teaches valuable skills, but I'll be fine without it as long as I can get hired without it. From reading other threads, it seems that I dont need the certificate to land a job. Thanks

tedkarma · Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:54 pm Post subject:

The better international schools - for which you seem qualified - should offer you a tax compensated (close to tax free) wage. But - as mentioned before, you may need to sign for two years.

You may well be able to negotiate though - for a one year contract as you have a very needed and sought after education/qualification. Ask for it, they can only say, "No."

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 1:01 am Post subject:

We had a future biology teacher with us here last year, and he did fine. I'm sure you will as well. But as I think JZER alluded to, teaching English as a foreign language is much different that teaching content in a first language. If I were you, I'd want to have some specific preparation in that area. I've been teaching English for quite a while, and wouldn't presume to teach Biology without retraining, though I know quite a bit about it.

So if for whatever reason you are determined not to do specialized training, for heaven's sake start volunteering, or something, where you are. And read up on ESL/EFL at your local library- you'll be glad you did.

About your job prospects- in Ecuador, the only teaching jobs that would allow you to send $350 a month home are in the international schools, and not even all of them. (I think you'd be ideally qualified for international schools, though.) The best ones offer good salaries and benefits, and reasonable vacation. But of course, they're the ones that are in a position to choose, and are unlikely to take a one year contract. No harm in asking, though.

Language schools would tend to pay anywhere from $500 to $800 a month, but you're going to need around $500 to live a minimalistic lifestyle. So while you might be able to send money home (between the two of you) some months, a bad month, and unexpected expense, or just an extragant night out could break you. Not a good way to live.

I've heard that EFL wages are better in Chile, but at the end of the day, you're still talking about paying US bills from a Latin American economy. Probably not too easy. The international schools may make it possible, but if you only want to stay a year, then you'll have to look hard.

Best,
Justin