Job Discussion Forums

[kevinran]

I'm 51 yrs young,retired 4 yrs ago from a large retail business (I was G.M.). I do not have a degree ( PHD in life). Could anyone give me a recomendation on a school w/ good creds in C. America (TEFL Intl,Via Lingua )? What sort of teaching schedule do people work in this field?Any insight would be appreciated.

[ghost]

Most countries in Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica). Per capita income in those countries is only around 1000 U.S. per year for the 'average' citizen.

I worked in Guatemala for a year in 1995 and pay at the time was 8 quetzales an hour (about 1.5 dollars). Working 25 hours a week I was able to 'live' like a Guatemalan, as I lived with a local family which I paid 25 dollars a week for board and lodging.

Now in 2003 most language schools in Central American countries will provide a subsistence wage in the range of 80 (low) to 500 dollars a month (high). Panama pays the highest wages in the region, and Nicaragua and Honduras the lowest. El Salvador and Guatemala now pay about 1-2 dollars an hour in the language schools if you are lucky. Some pay no money at all, but give you a house to share with other foreigners and a food allowance. This 'scam' is called a Community project, with money supposedly funnelled into the local community, but the reality is that it goes into the pockets of one or two individuals.

You will not get rich in the region. The best 'gigs' are with International schools but you need teaching credentials for those.