Job Discussion Forums

[PittsburghSound]

Hi all.

A while back I planned to teach English in China. I have the full qualifications to do so (BA, TESOL cert, native speaker). But I decided against it due to the pollution and the fact that I was always more interested in the Spanish language anyway. Not to mention, getting the visa and permits in China is literally a nightmare... Even if it's no easier in the places I'm interested in, I'm willing to overlook it for the other factors.

I am now considering Latin America for teaching. I'm trying to evaluate a few difference places based on these factors:

- salary vs. cost of living
- ease of getting a job/availability of jobs
- initial cost to get there and get set up/start up costs
- ease of getting work visas and any type of residence visa in case I want to make it a long term thing
- safety of the city/country

So with those factors in mind, I'm looking at the following places:

Mexico

- Mexico City
- Guadalajara
- Monterrey

Colombia
- Bogota
- Medellin

Ecuador
- Quito
- Guayaquil

I'm willing to keep my mind open to other opportunities, but I'm thinking these areas might be good for a beginner to TEFL.

As far as my Spanish, I wouldn't consider myself fluent. I know how to get by (hailing a cab, ordering food at a restaurant, etc...) but I wouldn't be going any time soon anyway. I have a lot of time to practice and improve it before I would actually go.

Can anyone help with any information? I'd greatly appreciate it!

[esl_prof]

Are you a U.S. citizen? If so, you should definitely check out the Fulbright teaching assistant program. The application process takes awhile, but it sounds like you're not in a hurry anyway.

In addition to your current choices, you might add Chile to your list. There seems to be a big push to crank up English instruction down there right now.

[nomad soul]

[esl_prof]

[PittsburghSound]

I've thought about the Peace Corps before, but wouldn't they send me where they want me rather than where I want to go? I guess I would have to read more about it to understand the process and what it entails.

Due to the demand in the places I mentioned before, wouldn't I have luck just showing up with resume in hand in person? The only thing is I'd have to take enough money to get by for a while until I got a job and started getting paid, right?

That's something I am totally willing and able to do.

[nomad soul]

[wanderingxelmundo]

[MotherF]

You should not limit yourself to the three largest cities in Mexico. Especially since you mentioned safety and cost of living.

You need to inform yourself on immigration regulations of various countries you are looking at. In Mexico you now have to get a working visa from a Mexican consulate in your home country. Which may make it less attractive than it was previously.

You should also not consider yourself fully qualified. You have the basic qualifications but your applications will be considered along side more qualified individuals. That doesn't mean you can't get a job but it gets old to read cover letter after cover letter from teachers who believe that they are perfect for the job when in truth they have the minimum acceptable profile.

I haven't checked recently, but in the past the peace corps was not teaching English in any Latin American country.

[Xie Lin]

[BadBeagleBad]

Not to be alarmist, but if you do decide to go to Mexico, I would not decide where to do until much closer till the time you are going to make the move. Things in Guadalajara are very bad right now, and while they are getting better it is still pretty bad. (My parents live there so I am getting daily updates.) Monterrey, on the other hand, has gotten better, but getting there aside from flying, is still problematic. Mexico City is a good choice, there is always a lot of work, but it can take a while to find the right situation. The cost of living is low compared to the US but high compared to the rest of Mexico. As already pointed out, you might want to consider other cities. I love Puebla, for example, and it is generally considered safe and there are lots of interesting places to visit nearby and Mexico City isn´t that far away either. Also, it depends on how you want to live. In general, if you want to live like you were in the US, live in a trendy area, eat out a lot, eat at US chains like Chili´s etc, shop at Malls, you will be hard pressed to do that on a teacher´s salary. If you want to live like a middle class Mexican - because teaching is very much a middle class profession in Mexico - then you should be fine. That will mean living in a neighborhood that is mostly Mexican (which should be good for your Spanish anyway), shop at chain stores or traditional markets, that kind of thing. Some things are a lot cheaper in Mexico than in the US, rent and food being the biggest items, but also public transportation. One other suggestion, something I have seen people do over and over and become very discouraged, is to convert their Mexican pay into dollars. Instead, you should look at what that pay can BUY in Mexico and compare THAT to the US.

[PittsburghSound]

Ah yes, I know I won't become wealthy teaching in any of these countries. I'm doing it more for the experience. I come from poverty here in the States, and while that doesn't really mean anything, it means I can be content with less.

I'm not really used to buying expensive things and eating at fancy restaurants anyway. I enjoy cooking! I'm not good at it, but I'm always trying to learn.

I would just be concerned about making enough to pay the bills with a little left over to have some fun (e.g, maybe going to the bar on weekends, maybe a movie once a month, maybe going out to eat once a week, etc...)

As long as I can do that, I'll be just fine.

Edit: Thanks for the feedback, everyone. It seems I have plenty to consider, but I have the time to do it.

[Jultime]

Well if you're interested in middle-class Mexico, living in a safe city with plenty of jobs and a growing economy take a look at Queretaro, Mexico.

I like this city, its 3 hours north of Mexico City, population around 2 million and growing. This area is in the automotive industrial belt of Mexico, there are also several other international manufacturers here making everything from cosmetics to nuts and bolts.

Everything is here, including the severely overpriced Victoria's Secret at the "international" mall.

I live in a traditional Mexican neighborhood and love it.

[esl_prof]

[esl_prof]

[HLJHLJ]

Language school work in Quito will earn you enough to live on and, if you are sensible, save enough to travel locally. There is plenty of work available for native speakers, as long as you don't arrive just before a major holiday. There are also better jobs with better pay around, once you've made some connections.

Ideally, you'll need at least $2,000-$3,000 start up, to pay for accommodation and living costs while you find work and wait for a pay check, plus airfare out if you change your mind.

Getting a permanent resident visa is bureaucratic but straightforward. If you have a bachelors degree, you qualify. It takes a few months to register your degree and then a couple of weeks for the actual visa (if you arrive on a 12-IX extended tourist visa, you can work while you are waiting). You can do it yourself or pay someone about $500 to do it for you.

The bigger language schools will get you a non-resident cultural exchange visa. That's pretty much effortless for you, but it's tied to the school, and is only good for a few years.

Safety wise, it's mostly common sense. Petty theft (pick pocketing, bag slashing, etc) is high, serious or violent crime is relatively rare, especially against foreigners.

I don't know much about Guayaquil, but I'd imagine the situation is similar.