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xalapa

Hi everyone.

My question is basicallly one of "where am I at"? Back in 2004 I did a bit of English instruction in Mexico City and thought I might want to do it on an ongoing basis. In 2005, I went to Costa Rica, got TESOL certificate training from SIT and then headed back to Mexico. I ended up not being able to get a decent job in the town I wanted to be in, ran out of money and headed back to the States. I've been back to Mexico a number of times since, as well as to other countries, but I've never tried teaching English again.

That's not to say I've let my teaching skills atrophy. While in the States, I have been a teaching assistant in the Spanish department of a private college, and I've also done private tutoring in Spanish. Granted, this isn't teaching English, but it's not so terribly different.

So, here I sit, with TESOL certificate in hand and, if I do say so myself, some ability to teach. But, I recognize that I have very little serious experience and am still effectively a newbie.

All that said: What kind of jobs should I be looking at if I'm looking to go abroad? My preference would be Western Europe, but I'm well aware that this is pretty much impossible for those who aren't EU passport holders. I'm also interested in Russia and Latin America; but I'd prefer to be in a stable job environment that paid me enough to live on, and maybe save a little. Though these are my preferences, I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Yep, Europe's tough to get into. Russia might be possible, Latin america is always possible. Realise that you can live well, just not save heaps.

If possible, try to get a visa, though work visas are hard to come by in some places. Try looking at tefl.com

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:20 pm Post subject:

Start applying, if Latin America appeals. Your Spanish experience and your cert could stand you in good stead. The age of the cert should be no problem.

Hope you enjoyed the course in CR. Mary runs a nice course, doesn't she?

Best,
Justin

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

you can save money in Mexico and Russia.
I liked living in Russia. I recommend it.

xalapa · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 11:55 pm Post subject:

Justin - Yes, Mary's great! I'd recommend SIT TESOL training in Costa Rica to anyone.

Brooks - What schools would you recommend in Russia? Was it difficult to get a visa?

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

I will get back to you.
Send me a PM.

I would say in the Moscow area. Thanks to oil money, salaries have gone up.
However, the price of oil has gone down, so I am not sure of the future.

I read that the cost of living is high, and that for Moscow, people have to live farther out in order to find an apartment that isn't too expensive to rent.

Getting a visa wasn't hard but I did have to take an AIDS test.