Job Discussion Forums

JonnyBravo · Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 80 Location: Bogota, Colombia

Spanglish, I just think it's unreasonable to dismiss the amount of travel time involved in teaching in businesses in bogota. I for one cannot stand traffic, which makes me wonder what I'm even doing in Bogota somedays. I have known IH teachers in the past and teachers at other institutes as well who have spent as much time on a colectivo (bus) as they have teaching. If people are interested in coming to Bogota, it's fair to report all this infomration. That's all I'm saying.

Travelling to teach was something I despised, thus I took a stationary position for less in a quiet area of the north. Others may not care about the travel time. At 15k an hour, I will probably have more free time than the average IH teacher and, combined with a couple of privates I easily have time for, will earn more money than them.

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

I wasn't dismissing the amount of travel time involved. I despise taking buses all day and hate the air pollution it exposes you to. I definitely did the IH thing annd wouldn't want to go back to traveling around Bogota.

It is my opinion that 16 contact hours a week + prep + travel time does not equal 40 hours.

If you've found a position with which you are satisfied and are able to support yourself, have health insurance and can get a working visa, I congratulate you.

You won't necessarily be making more than the average IH teacher because they also have time for privates (I know I did and so did everybody else I knew who worked there). But in the end you'll probably be less stressed.

windowlicker · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 183 Location: Bogot�, Colombia

MNguy · Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 129

[quote="windowlicker"][quote="MNguy"]

JonnyBravo · Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 80 Location: Bogota, Colombia

Spend one 2 hour crosstown busride in a rainstorm stuck on a collectivo that is too small for your North American body, has exhaust somehow funneling into the interior of the vehicle, with reggaeton beats repeatedly slamming into your head while some guy tries to sell you pencil cases out of his backpack and you'll realize that traveling across town to earn an extra few thousand pesos per hour is just not worth it.

tekkendama · Joined: 12 Feb 2011 Posts: 2 Location: US

Well... it's complicated. If you chose the EFL path and you want to make lots of money then you f***ed up.

I think one of the best options is Berlitz. It's easy, secure and you can get a lot of classes. If you're here then you probably want to do other things during the day than just teach. Berlitz will give you a few classes in the morning and if you find the right roommate then you won't have any problem at all doing what you want to do, like learn Spanish, interact with Colombians, train somewhere, etc.

I used to work there and I made very decent money and had lots of free time. If you work it out then it's a good option.

I stopped working there years ago because I wanted to start my own business (not related to teaching English) and I wanted to thrive with something of my own. I didn't like that I was becoming a zombie. I had greater aspirations as a kid and so I changed my lifestyle.

Very recently I decided to start working again as an English teacher to supplement my income. I need some more capital but things are running smoothly. I just wish they would run more smoothly.

I started working at First Class English and to be honest I really like it. They pay 15.000 pesos an hour and 16.000 pesos an hour if it's outside the company. Both schools were easy to get to (one was walking distance away). I got 2.5 hours today. So that's 40.000 pesos in morning. And I have enough time to do what I want. I worked out in the morning and I am going to work out again in the evening. And in the afternoon and evening I can focus on my business.

Yesterday I had 2 hours (32.000 pesos) and I got to workout in the morning and lift weights at la liga in the afternoon with enough time in the evening for my business.

It's formal yet casual. All's you have to do is converse with students, use good correction techniques (thank you, Berlitz!) and be on time.

I have never heard of IH but if they can make you a millionaire doing something that even a monkey can do then by all means go for it! The above is simply my opinion and indicative of my experiences in Bogot�.

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

Nice description johnnybravo of traveling around Bogota. I got sick of that.

SirKirby · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Barcelona, Spain

G22 · Joined: 25 Oct 2010 Posts: 89

IH is a complete mess right now, completely disorganized at least 2 people who I know that have been working there have quit. You can look forward to doing 6:30 am classes on the other side of the city, then coming back and doing another class in the evening on another side of the city. As other people have said the amount of time you spend traveling to work can be hours a day and generally sucks.

Traveller84 · Joined: 17 Apr 2008 Posts: 15

Anyone know of Habla Ingles and Petersons? I recently saw some advertisements around and was wondering what they are like?

windowlicker · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 183 Location: Bogot�, Colombia

Ravenswant · Joined: 23 Dec 2010 Posts: 3

Newby here but my experience with IH has been favorable so far and I just noticed that they have an ad up on the IH (Global) web page under recruitment, so they are obviously looking. Disorganized? Seems to me they all are. Generally people do seem to regard working for them as favorable I'd have to say.
The previous post is the first I've heard anything negative about Petersons but as I said I haven't been around all that long. I'm doing some one on ones for them but haven't been around long enough to get a paycheck from them. They were refered to me by a personal friend of a friend who worked for them for 6 months.
Getting work does not seem to be hard in this town. Getting paid, well we'll see I guess. I'd like to hear more about Petersons but I apparently have to rack up 5 posts before I can pm anyone (2 down, 3 to go)

Cruiser · Joined: 26 Nov 2010 Posts: 39

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I earn $1,600 to $1,700 per month teaching private classes ...
My schedule is my own and I use my own syllabus ...
I average 20-25 classes per week...
I don't have a degree or a CELTA or a work permit...

I got to Colombia last fall but after doing the rounds of Medellin and Bogota I decided the market was just too large to work exclusively with one company. So I found a couple of education brokers who find me private students -- all of them are well educated and motivated, so they're a pleasure to teach. Also, I wanted to keep control of my own schedule.

Anyway PM me if you want details.
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G22 · Joined: 25 Oct 2010 Posts: 89

double post sorry.

G22 · Joined: 25 Oct 2010 Posts: 89

International House offers a work visa, but they will reduce your pay if choose to get one through them.