Job Discussion Forums

[utopiaexpress]

What do you think about a position where housing, food and language lessons are provided (in that country, of course) in exchange for your time teaching? With the many experiences out there, would you think that it would end up being a gig where they use and abuse you or a job where they really appreciate you because you're giving your time and EXPERTISE? Currently I'm seeking my 1st teaching job after quitting my 'killing me softly' 9-5 in the US. Have the college degree & all I would make a little money w/extra curricular activities. Any thoughts....or non-thoughts? The gig is in southern Argentina.

[Insubordination]

The experience sounds great but to get nothing in the bank account would hurt me (unless I were teaching poor kids).

Ask how many lessons. Are they charging people for those lessons? How much? What kind of accomodation? Will you have free time for privates or is that in direct competition? Do you have savings? You won't know until you get there I guess. You can always try it out and if it doesn't work out, ditch it for paid work.

"Killing me softly", I get that.

[utopiaexpress]

I would be teaching around 15 hrs/wk. I know they charge the students for the extra curricular, but don't know how much. I have a little savings now, but I'm wondering if the experience itself would be worth it (9 month contract). The accomodations is in a house in walking distance to the school, but unclear as to whether I'll be sharing w/another teacher. It's one of those schools that operate on 'grants'. Would you consider it for the experience to get some teaching under the proverbial belt?

[misteradventure]

On one hand, it sounds like a decent gig.

On the other, it *may* be in the proverbial middle of Nowhere, with no nightlife worth mentioning and such a small town that the gossip about your activities gets back to you before you even thought about doing such a thing.

I'd pack light, plan for someone to send the remainder by freight and have an 'escape plan' (i.e. round trip is often cheaper than one-way, even if you don't use the return flight.)

Having conditions be radically different than promised is not new in this world and you are making quite a gamble based on 'trust'; they may think that you are stuck for the duration and ditate new terms upon arrival.

Sounds like a beautiful area. The photos are nice, if it is the job I think you are referring. Perfect if I wanted to get married and make little Gauchos and never leave town.

[utopiaexpress]

It's definitely in a small town, but I think at this point my life, I need to slow down anyway, even for just 9 months. I've been partying way too much and I think the quiet would do me good. I never feel 'stuck' so if they did the ole switcheroo on me, I would probably just pack my things and start taking buses back north. Is it really THAT COMMON to get you somewhere and then change the deal on you?

[ghostdog]

In a word, yes.

[utopiaexpress]

Is that bcuz they'll think u'll feel like u're stuck, u're already here so why not, or they count on you not having enough money to go back home?

[ghostdog]

Those would both be factors in a much larger category called "because they think they can." Other factors include, but are not limited to, "S/he's an ignorant foreigner, so what can s/he do if we shaft them?", "This is the same way we treat local workers, so why should we treat the foreigners any differently, even if the marketing of a foreign face (any background or experience is generally optional and, in any case, we know more about teaching because we have a school) is the only thing that's keeping us in business?", and "Even if it is a terrible working and/or living situation, we're doing the foreigner such an enormous favour by letting her/him live in our wonderful country and, especially, work at our marvelous school that s/he should be paying us, not the other way around."

FWIW, I wouldn't go near a situation where you are entirely dependent on your employer for your living situation (unless it were a volunteer position and you were willing to put up with anything as part of the experience). Even if you turned out to be one of the fortunate few and the situation proved to be legitimate, you might not be happy with the accommodation, the food, or the language lessons provided, and then what are your options? Remember, unless it's a charity gig, these schools are first and foremost businesses. Paying you in services is considerably cheaper than paying you in salary -- a homestay in a poor section of the country and the time of a grossly underpaid local language teacher is not likely that much of an outlay. It's a better deal for them, and also allows them to avoid dealing with the taxman and perhaps dealing with sorting out a work visa for you, since they're not paying you in cash.

Two other points: the internet does make the hiring process more convenient, but dealing with an employer over the net is pretty much a lucky dip. (Yes, you could say the same for the employer, but I would argue they have less to lose -- they don't end up in someplace they know next to nothing about.)

And the poster who suggested having an escape plan is spot on. It's the same advice which Q once gave to James Bond and, considering that you're a foreign TEFL teacher, your situation is decidedly more parlous.

[utopiaexpress]

I have spoken with the woman doing the hiring and i will know next week if I get the job or not. I told her that I will be visiting the school (along w/checking out the accomodations) if hired since I'm right now "in the area". That way, I figure, that if i don't like what i see, I'm not trapped at all. The job doesn't start till March and she's making a decision in January. I do however understand the whole accomodation thing. Thnx, I never looked at it that way. I've seen that most of the jobs, if not all, that are in China & Japan offer accomodations. Is that how that works out there? U just get whatever they give you and then u're stuck? Ghost, where r u working anyway....in the city, suburb of Arg or in another country?

[FuzzX]

Unless you are a sex tourist or desperate to leave the country, forget it. You are probably getting scammed.

[Insubordination]

It is odd that she has to 'make a decision' to hire an unpaid worker. I'd have thought she'd snap you up. You are smart to check the place out first. That way, you'll know if it suits.

[utopiaexpress]

She said that they need 2 teachers and 5 applied. That�s why she says she has to make a decision. Fuzzy, what kind of scam would you consider this to be? A sex scam?

[utopiaexpress]

And.....I�m already out of the country. Been for about 3 months now.