Job Discussion Forums

[ghostdog]

First, my apologies. I'm not sure exactly where to put this question so I will post it in multiple forums.

I am planning on coming to South America to teach in mid to late March. I have not decided on a location and am torn between Buenos Aires and Santiago. What I am wondering is which of these two cities would be easier to set up and find employment in? Which one has a more booming market and more reputable schools (if such things really exist in TEFL)? Finally, which country, Argentina or Chile, would be better geared for someone wanting to stay for the long haul?

I've taught for a dozen years (though not in the immediate past), have a BA in English and a Cambridge certificate, so I'm assuming credentials shouldn't be a problem.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[prescott]

It strikes me as curious that most serious questions regarding English teaching go unanswered.If Buenos Aires is one of the most popular destinations in Latin America for EFL then why don't more teachers participate on this forum? Are they simply unaware of it? Unlike the Mexico and Latin America forums, there seem to be no long-term posters here who consistently answer questions. My guess is that most teachers work in Buenos Aires for a few months and then, probably discouraged by the low pay and relatively high cost of living,either return home or move to another South American country with more favorable conditions, such as Chile or Peru.I myself have given much thought to working long-term as an English teacher in Buenos Aires. I visited for several months in 2004 and fell in love with the city but obviously working here would be a different matter.For one thing, the pay is low- between 15 and 20 pesos an hour while the cost of renting a room in a shared apartment would be between 450 and 750 pesos($150-$250).So even working 20 hours per week one would be hard-pressed, not to mention the costs for entertainment, clothes, the occasional book or movie. Food, while still inexpensive, seems to be going up. I'm not saying it can't be done and life in Buenos Aires would certainly have its rewarding aspects. Most likely I will choose a destination other than Buenos Aires but this is because my goal right now is to become 100% fluent in Spanish and this would be difficult if I have work constantly just to keep my head above water.

[roro825]

i dont get why people think that chile is cheaper, when it's actually i think the most expensive of the countries in south america, and the pay is basically the same in comparison. i started out in chile, where i got my tefl certificate. i loved the class, but chile was just boring. i'd heard amazing things, so i moved to baires, and i love it. i would definitely have not been able to stay in santiago for a year, as i had been planning on doing originally. baires just has more culture and the people are so much more friendly and open. i found work without any problems what so ever, and actually am working for an internet company instead now, but i set up a few of my friends with the school i'd been teaching at. classes were easy and you got paid well. i think the key is just to get classes from a couple places. either way, not hard to find. so my vote's for baires (though im guessing u actually already left, so i hope u chose here in the end ). also, in a baires forum, i'm guessing more people will be pro baires.

[LondonMan2]

For lifestyle B's A's no question over santiago.

downside is currency, rental costs and lack of stable teaching (i.e. you will have lots of different private lessons rather than work in a school)