Job Discussion Forums

[ajarnlilly]

What is the dress code for schools in Latin America for women teachers? I've just been in Thailand where they seem to be stuck in the 1950's: no trousers, no sleeveless tops, no open toed or bare heeled shoes, etc.

A lot of the schools are also agist: no applicants over 35, or 45 or?? accepted. How do over 50's fare in Latin America?

I had 2 years experience before getting my TEFL cert at Chiang Mai University and had one of those paid-under-the-table language school jobs in Chiang Mai for 3 months before returning to the US. I plan to spend next year in the western hemisphere and am trying to get a feel for TEFL teaching in South and Central America. Colombia and Peru are my first choices.

Thanks for any info!

[Luna Chica]

I guess it depends on the school, but the school I will be at from next week is on the coast of Peru. It is an international school, pants are fine as are open toed shoes. Singlets are not really appropriate. I think you would be safe with a nice pair of pants and a tailored blouse in most places in Peru.

When I worked in Japan we had to wear stockings and closed in shoes all the time. I am very thankful, I won't have to be in stockings again, geez I loathe them.

[lozwich]

I can wear any kind of pants to work, except jeans (they're only allowed on Saturdays), but have to look very neat and tidy in general. Bogotans are often highly conscious of a person's appearance, and my students expect me to be dressed as, if not more, smartly than them. Any type of open shoes are definitely not an option, but then, most of the time, its not warm enough here for them anyway.

[naturegirl321]

Pants, skirts that cover the knee. Sleeveless, but not spaghetti strap, also some places allow sandles. I work in a school, where we have uniforms which saves me the hassles of figuring out what to wear.

[jillford64]

If you are trying to pack for a job you don't have yet, I'd recommend "business casual" separates that you can mix and match. Pants, blouses, and sweaters with one coordinating neutral skirt and jacket. Flat shoes or low heeled boots and one pair of low dress heels. If you already have a job lined up, you should check with them to see what they expect or if they have a dress code. My school allows jeans only on Friday and Saturday and you can't wear sandals (like for going to the beach) at all.

[MamaOaxaca]

The school I worked at in Ecuador was very casual. Teachers wore jeans and sandals. I work at the same kind of place in Mexico. Most places in Latin America will not have artifical climate control in the classrooms so you have to dress for the climate, be it hot on the coast or cold in the mountains.
As other's have mentioned Latin Americans tend to dress more formally than North Americans do, and put a lot of importance on looking well kept, freshly ironed and showered.
English teaching dress can run the whole gamut from business dress to beach dress, so as you begin your job search you will be able to get a better idea about specific areas/types of schools.

[ajarnlilly]

Many thanks to all of you! You've been very helpful. I'm glad to hear that climate is taken into consideration in a more pragmatic way than in Asia.