Job Discussion Forums

[Imagine8]

Hello!

My boyfriend and I are Americans currently teaching in Taiwan and are considering moving to Latin America sometime in 2009. We both have BAs (Psychology and Art for me, English for him) but no TEFL or other certifications. Our only requirements are that we have some access to nature (which I'm sure is a much easier feat in LA than in Taiwan) and that we be in a Spanish-speaking country. Obviously, we'd like to save some money, but we realize it's more difficult in LA than in Taiwan. Also, we prefer kids to adults. Still, we're open to different situations. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

And, yes, I am also using the search function. I just thought I'd get a thread started to see what opinions I can get.

Thank you!

[john_n_carolina]

....how many years have you been teaching?

....do you have lots of creative ideas, handouts, games, music..etc?

[Imagine8]

My boyfriend and I have almost finished our first year teaching English at one in a well-regarded chain of schools in Taiwan. I also have experience as a counselor/art director at a summer camp, and other miscellaneous pre-school experience (as well as a college minor in Early Childhood Education). My boyfriend doesn't have any other teaching experience, but he has an English degree and several years experience as a freelance newspaper and magazine writer.

As for our ideas, etc., we'd like to think that we have a lot of them to offer. We certainly put a lot of effort into improving our teaching, coming up with new games and teaching strategies, etc.

Also, we are currently teaching in a school that encourages competition and is very reward-based. We're not sure if our experience at a school like this will be valued if we move to LA. We'd really appreciate it if anyone could offer any insight into this.

Thanks for replying so quickly. Please offer any advice about teaching in LA for teachers with our experience.

Thanks again,
Lauren

[naturegirl321]

Check your PM, BAs are more important for visas than the TEFL certs. With one year experience, you should be able to get into middle paying schools. The only thing you have to do is strat applying.

[Imagine8]

Thank you so much for the information. It looks like it's going to be useful.

Does anyone have any suggestions as far as location. Which countries are popular or desirable TEFL destinations?

Thanks!

[Guy Courchesne]

Mexico and Brazil are the biggest markets with the most opportunities. Chile, Peru, and Costa Rica are also popular. Argentina is a tougher market. Ecuador and Venezuela are smaller but possible as well. Colombia can pay well too.

Check your timing. Most SA countries are in winter right now whereas Mexico and Central America are in summer.

[Imagine8]

Thanks so much for the info!

In addition to finding a good job, we're looking for a good location for nature-lovers (after teaching near Taipei in Taiwan, we're starved for nature and tired of pollution!). We're also hoping to live somewhere with high-quality produce. Any advice?

Thanks again,
Lauren

[roadwalker]

Nature lover is a bit vague as to your interests. Do you want a place where it is convenient to go hiking in the mountains, the jungle etc? Or do you mean beaches? Or do you just mean a place that's not too full of old concrete and garbage and the city parks are a bit natural? You might get more specific advice if you describe an ideal situation.

[Imagine8]

Good point...

I guess we're not too picky (after Taiwan). But, yeah, beaches sound amazing. Mountains sound great, too. Mostly, though, we're looking for no/low pollution, litter, etc. and some public places to hang out outside.

Oh, and a place that has halfway decent weather so that we can enjoy the outdoors, too. Not too cold, not humid.

Does such a place exist in Latin America?

Thanks (again!)
Lauren

[virginislander]

Imagine,

If you are looking for a Spanish environment and a place to apply what you learned in University, you could check out the US Virgin Islands. There are lots of private K-12 schools down there who are always looking for teachers. Same subjects we learned in school: science, math, history, English, social studies, Gym, Psychology, Writing, Economics, etc.... Equally as important, you dont need certification. Just a BA.

During my first few months, I lived in the mountains with Spanish speakers, second/third generation Puerto Ricons and recent Dominicans Then I moved to Dominican enclave near the harbor. English is the official language in the islands but you'll hear Spanish everywhere. I
regulary spoke my limited Spanish in my neighborhood, on the bus, at the gym and the local grocery store.

Beaches and nature, that goes without question.

The VI actually got me really interested in Spanish so I'm going to spend some time in Guatemala studying. I really love the idea of returning, buying a house, renting rooms out to recent college grads and teaching Spanish and other subjects at an elementary school.

So you might want to give it a try.

[Twonny06]

You can find a job in just about any country in Latin America with your credentials. Of course, you would have to decide which country best suits your needs in terms of nature and low pollution. I am teaching in Guatemala City where there is hardly any nature to view and the city is extremely polluted. If you want to stick with Central America, I would reccomend you teach in Costa Rica. The rainforest is amazing! If you are more interested in beaches, then Rio de Janiero would be the place for you.

[Twonny06]

Also, I forgot to mention, if you choose to teach in Rio (or any city in Brazil) you will have to learn Portuguese. Spanish is not the native language of this country.

[kingkristopher]

If you are looking for a pollution-free/pollution-reduced environment, you won't find it in Latin America. At least not in any of the major/capital cities. I suppose that goes for anywhere in the world, but LA cities are remarkably dirty. For example, I hail from Toronto, which is easily the most polluted major Canadian city. In contrast to LA cities however, T.O. is practically pristine. People just dump their garbage wherever they happen to be.

As for mountains/beaches Costa Rica and Ecuador have good combinations of those. Ecuador's beaches are not great, but the mountains are better and the jungle is accessible yet still virgin.

[treasurechess]

I had a fairly good experience at the Sarapiqui Conservation Learing Center in Costa Rica. But they only take volunteers for teaching assignments. They have ESL and after school programs which do not require TESL. Good luck!