Job Discussion Forums

[ashanmari]

Hello All,
I have been searching the forums for an answer to my question, and there are many relevant posts but I am still very unclear as to the success I might have of finding a job in Latin America--
I am planning on making a trek from the US down through Central America, probably stopping in Guatemala to do a Spanish Language/volunteer ESL teaching (if anyone knows a good program, let me know!) for a few weeks and then I am thinking of flying into Ecuador or Peru or another job providing country to hopefully find an appropriate TEFL job--
I realize the pay is not a big reason why people teach there, but my main motivation is to improve my Spanish (I wish to be fluent) and experience South America-- I am looking for a TEFL job to give me experience teaching and cover simple living expenses.
I am planning on leaving late December, so I'd be looking to teach in January for perhaps just a semester.
I realize this could also just be a dream and that schools won't normally sign someone on for a few months, but I wouldn't even mind just being a TA or doing private tutoring.

As for me, I am TEFL certified and hold a 2-year degree-- I hold private tutoring experience and TA experience in college level ESL and conversational English.

I would love to know if this sounds like a reasonable dream or if jobs in latin america are even prevalent for someone like me--

I have seen TeachingChile and TeacherMexConnect that seem to have the most placement in latin america but I don't feel that its worth it to pay almost two grand to HOPEfully land a job, I feel it can be done better in person with the necessary information at hand--

So for all of you in Latin America and with experience teaching there, what are the necessary steps/things to know to land a job and what is the right country to start looking?
Please tell me about your experiences and the difficulty or ease of finding a TEFL job in South America.

Thanks so much!

[naturegirl321]

Is having a visa important to you? Mexico is probably one of the easiest, Peru and Ecuador are pretty hard. Basically, you'll prpbaly make average of 700usd a month, not a lot, but enough to live on. I kmnow A LOT about Peru and have just PMed you

Basivally, you just have to send your CV, but best advice might be to come and knock on door.s

[spanglish]

I highly recommend Jose Sanchez's school in Antigua, Guatemala, called Latinoamerica Spanish Academy. You can message me if you want more details and reccomendations on particular teachers.

You're smart to stop in Guatemala for some langauge training, wonderful country to learn Spanish.