Job Discussion Forums

Guinness88 · Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 10

Hi everyone I've just got my CELTA qualificationb from st giles in brighton and would really like to work in latin america. However i cant find much in the way of job adverts on the internet. Ist that because there aren't a lot of jobs or is it better to search for a job once you've arrived? Also how likely would I get a job with just a pass grade at CELTA and little teaching experience?

Be grateful for any tips or advice!

idiggs · Joined: 04 Feb 2010 Posts: 47 Location: Ecuador La Costa

When it comes to Ecuador, a lot of schools do not advertise when they are in need of teachers. They prefer to save money and use the "word of mouth" approach.

I recommend that you look for a job once you have arrived here. You might want to start looking at the big 3 (Guayaquil, Cuenca, Quito).

Most schools do not care what grade you got on your CELTA course. All they care about is that you have a TEFL certificate. Schools in Mexico and Europe are the ones that care about if you have a CELTA or not.

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

In most Latin American countries, it's usually best to be in country when seeking a job.

Mexican language schools will often advertise locally and ask you to come in for an interview if you contact them online or by phone. you have to find them first as they also don't advertise all that much online.

I don't agree with idiggs on the CELTA though for Mexico. Schools here prefer demonstrable experience over the name on the certificate.

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

In Mexico you pretty much have to be here, and there are always a lot of jobs in the chain schools, and it's fairly easy to supplement with a private class here and there. I don't know where the other poster got the info about the CELTA being asked for in Mexico, *I* have been here for many years and have NEVER seen it specifically required or even requested. Lots of language schools will hire native speakers without any kind of certification and train them in their particular method, others will hire you with pretty much any kind of certificate, and some will just hire you and let you sink or swim.

idiggs · Joined: 04 Feb 2010 Posts: 47 Location: Ecuador La Costa

The global language institutes (who have campuses in most countries including Mexico) like Berlitz, English First, and Wall Street requires applicants to have a CELTA. Some of the more prestigious universities there also require applicants to have a CELTA.

Maybe the majority of the public schools and public universities do not require it. I can only speaking from my experience. I wanted to work in Mexico and the schools that I applied for wanted to see a proof of a CELTA certificate.

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

Would that be the statement from their offices outside Mexico? I've taught in-service teacher training courses at Wall St. here. No one had a CELTA nor were they required to.

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

Isla Guapa · Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 9:58 pm Post subject:

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

It is possible to find a job before arriving, but it's hard. Try to look for jobs after you arrive. Be sure to ask about work visas as well.

Guinness88 · Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 10

Thanks everyone this is really helpful information!

bh_daddy · Joined: 30 Jun 2010 Posts: 5

Ecuador can be a bit different in regards to finding work compared to other countries. Since the tourist visa is limited here to 90 days, and because a work visa and intercultural visa can be obtained prior to arrival, some language schools would prefer to sponsor you for the visa before you get here. That's not to say that a visa can't be arranged once you're here, but if you arrive at a time when the better schools aren't hiring, your 90 days could run out before the next semester starts and a job opens up.

It can take some digging online to find good schools, but many reputable institutions do have a presence on the web and do hire from abroad, though often with at least a couple months of anticipation.

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

The best visa to arrive with if possible is a 12-1X, it's technically still a tourist visa, but you are allowed to work on it, and it can be converted to a full work visa once you are here and employed. It's valid for 180 days.

If you arrive on a regular tourist visa (90 days max), theoretically it can't be converted to a work visa, and you would need to go back to your home country and apply for the new visa. In practice, there are still ways around this, and employers will help with that (and fund at least some of the cost) if they really want you.

But in terms of smoothing the way when you first arrive, and making yourself as employable as possible, it's worth putting the time and effort in to get the 12-1X beforehand, if you can.