Job Discussion Forums

jenny · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 5

Does anyone have any info about teaching in Chile??? I found some information Santiago. I've never been so I was wondering if anyone had any information. I was wondering especially about life for a foreign woman in Santiago. Salary they are offering is about 600 dollars US per month.

jeni · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 1

hey jenny-
i am also looking into going to santiago and looking for information-
i have looked into bridge-linguatec for tefl certifications as well as possible job opportunities...

any more info that you might have would be appreciated...

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

I passed through Santiago in 1997.. actually I was going to teach there.. a few things that changed my mind though.. well, first off, at that time.. pay was tops around $10/hour.. and they discouraged a travel/teacher (although I had previously taught for a year in Korea and had a TESOL cert already).. they just wanted to sign people up from abroad.. and Santiago is kind of expensive.. i mean, rent and a few other things.. the second thing about Chile is it has a very different Spanish than the rest of the Spanish-speaking world.. its basically the same.. but ALOT of slang.. so much slang that is so specific to Chile.. they there is a published book out there called 'How to Speak Chilean'.. and since at the time.. I was just going to begin to learn Spanish.. it turned me off..

Okay, now to the positives.. first off.. I taught at Linguatec in Sao Paulo Brazil.. its a really easy place to teach.. I don't know if they've changed at all.. but I just used a VCR and remote control.. basically they watch movies.. and you have them repeat it line-by-line.. its probably one of the easiest ways I've ever seen for a teacher to teach.. if you are at all lazy.. this is the place for you!! Easiest method ever.. I think I did deviate from the teaching method from time to time.. but I don't recall is being approved of too much.. (its been about 5 years ago now though.. so I can't remember)..

Anyhow, the other thing about Chile and Chileans.. they are some of the most genuinely friendly and most honest people I've ever met!! Everyone is extremely and genuinely helpful and always interested to help you without expecting anyting in return. If you've never been to South America, then you won't really appreciate how nice it is to have people in South America who have absolutely no interest whatsoever in 'getting something from you'...

Also, Chile is a really beautiful country.. and their capital is kind of cool I think.. lots of leafy parks and lots of activities. I mostly recall alot of people making out on the park benches.. and some pretty cool theatrical-like performers in the main squares and streets.. kind of a magical place to me..