Job Discussion Forums

timalex · Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 10

Hello everyone,
I am a college student who will be finishing with a BA in History and a minor in Mathematics within the next 2 years. Are these subjects I could teach in Latin America?
I do plan on taking a TEFOL course and likely go to Chile, where I've travelled before and have friends teaching there.
But I'm curious to hear about other countries also.
Thanks in advance.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

You can teach a variety of subjects at international schools but if you're fresh out of college then you won't have the teaching experience to qualify for these schools, considered to be the top teaching employment.

That said, it doesn't hurt to apply anyway. You never know when an opening comes up. Usually best to be in-country though. Do you have enough of an open-ended travel plan that you could maybe work in EFL while you wait for a job to come up in your field at a good school?

timalex · Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 10

Thanks for the fast reply...
The goal of finishing college was more of a priority for me than to only obtain a TEFL or CELTA certificate, and teach without a degree. It has been 10 years since the beginning of a number of travels from Tijuana to Tierra del Fuego, and now, I am content that I choose this route. History and Math (and Spanish) were the subjects I had most interest in. Plus, timewise these subjects didn't require as much as, for example, science, economics, etc.
From reading posts here at Dave's, I have not seen much on subjects other than teaching English. To be realistic, I do need to acquire experience teaching in a classroom. And over time, I could move on to teaching other areas than English.
I'm looking forward to working with students and hopefully provide a understanding that would help them out with their education.
Cheers!

just_a_mirage · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 169 Location: ecuador

One option is Bi-lingual schools which are different from international schools and dont require a teaching certificate. I teach Writing and Literature in my school. Students also have science, and history classes in English. The pay isnt as great as the international schools, but you get good experience, and its nice to teach subjects in English and not just basic language classes.