Job Discussion Forums

Somewhere Out There · Joined: 22 Dec 2008 Posts: 11 Location: China

Greetings from China,
I hope someone can take a little time to give me some advice. I am currently teaching ESL in China and want to head to South America at the end of September. I am a native speaker, Canadian, and am currently working on a university degree. I do have a college diploma. I am willing to commit to 1 year.
I've been looking at Peru and Ecuador.
What can you tell me about the job situation.
Really appreciate it

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

ecuador is cracking down on illegal workers. For Peru, it's unlikely that you'll be legal. Many people work under tha table. Check the PM I sent you.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject:

Teaching quals?

THis is really the only answer to the "good job vs bad job" question. THere's work, anyway.

But without some training, you're unlikely to get into anything stable, lucrative, or long term.

Best,
Justin

spanglish · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 742 Location: working on that

Try to get a job at a private highschool - do some google searches and try to initiate conversation with folks. In Bogota (and a few other cities), International House is usually hiring.

Somewhere Out There · Joined: 22 Dec 2008 Posts: 11 Location: China

Thanks to all
Justin, I have my Advanced TESOL, and Tutoring and Teaching Adults TESOLs
College diploma and 1/3 of the way towards a degree but not a teaching degree

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:23 pm Post subject:

Some college is good for the market in Ecuador, whether in Education or not. What are you studying?

A second question- Savvy employers will understand that "TESOL" isn't a governing body. When you say:

Somewhere Out There · Joined: 22 Dec 2008 Posts: 11 Location: China

Hello again Justin,
Thanks for the reply. I have a completed college diploma. I am an experienced nurse obviously doing a career change. So, that would qualify me for teaching medical English. I am now going for the degree because in the ESL world most employers want the university degree. I'm completing a Global Studies degree.

I'll remember that about the TESOL. I've taught in China, Canada and Africa and I have a feeling that will count for more than the TESOLs anyway.
Thanks again

Atlan Training · Joined: 02 Apr 2009 Posts: 76 Location: Spain

Hi Somewhere out there

There is plenty of work at the moment in Ecuador, but as Justin says, your qualifications will influence the quality of the job significantly. If you have some teaching experience and some sort of TESOL certificate, you probably won't have too much difficulty. If you want a really good job where you can use your medical background to its fullest potential, you need to have a full certification, either CELTA ( Cambridge ) or TESOL ( Trinity or SIT ). You can take either the CELTA or TESOL in Ecuador. I'm the CELTA trainer for Southern Cross Teacher Training and Justin is the TESOL trainer for the SIT.

As to visas, in Ecuador, you can apply for an "Actos de Comercio 12 IX" independently, online, without an employer sponsor. This allows you to work legally for six months during which time you can find an employer who will sponsor you for a regular 2-yr renewable work visa. Our teacher trainees have been doing this lately and so far, no problems.

Good luck!

Somewhere Out There · Joined: 22 Dec 2008 Posts: 11 Location: China

Thanks for the information

jacobfrank · Joined: 30 Aug 2009 Posts: 17 Location: Wenzhou, China

I'm going to be looking for a job in South America, preferably Ecuador, when my current contract in Costa Rica is finished at the end of October. Being Latin America, I know that the best way to find work is going to the country and shopping myself around. Before I do that though, I'd thought I'd ask if anyone knows of schools that would be looking for a teacher to start sometime between mid-November and early Feb.

I have a TEFL cert., one + year of teaching experience (Mexico & Costa Rica), an Assoc. Degree (2-yr diploma plus 15+ years of business experience. I'm doing a lot of corporate work here, teaching English to execs and like that type of work if possible.

I know there are several people on the forum who have a lot of knowledge about Ecuador, so hoping someone can help me.

Thanks.

spanglish · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 742 Location: working on that

jacobfrank - you might be able to pick something up with a B level university or (more likely and probably better anyway) high school in Bogota (if you're interested in Colombia). I recommend checking out the schools just north of Bogota - lots of good private high schools and better (less polluted, quieter, country feel) quality of life.