Job Discussion Forums

[Guy Courchesne]

Has anyone ever heard of English teaching jobs or at least exchange programs in Cuba?

[Justin Trullinger]

Exchange programs galore, usually through "Cuba Solidaridad" type organisations- google should turn up a lot.

Some really respectable places to study Spanish, as well.

But I've never heard of paid EFL work in Cuba, though this topic comes around every now and again.

Best,
Justin

PS- Contemplating a move from DF? If you find anything good in Cuba, I'll meet you there!

[Guy Courchesne]

[john_n_carolina]

...if it were paid, they would get UK teachers. they don't trust the US. they think we're all spies, and most of your apartment would probably
be bugged, including your phone.

[Guy Courchesne]

I would guess Canadian teachers too...Cuba is the only place I've ever been where if someone wants to know where you're from, they first ask 'Are you from Canada?' instead of assuming US first.

[john_n_carolina]

..haha --- yes, if you're from up North, you can be sure of a wiretap. Fidel has his own spies also, to spy on his own people. i think if you're caught reading the NY Times, you're sent to the firing squad.

[Guy Courchesne]

[john_n_carolina]

good idea -- don't know what else there is to do in Cuba, except hanging out at studios like they did on Buena Vista Club....i don't think they'd take you in any school there....probably most schools have English taught by either UK or Cuban Americans from Miami....

on the other hand, their medical research is world class, probably with a lot of help from Russia.

[grahamb]

"probably most schools have English taught by either UK or Cuban Americans from Miami.... "
Oh, good grief. Permit me to enlighten you. There are plenty of Cuban English teachers, so they don't need to employ foreigners. Given that most Cubans earn the equivalent of 10 - 15 USD a month, it's hardly likely they could afford to pay a foreign teacher. Cubans in Miami head home to visit their families, not to find work. They are either opponents of the regime or economic migrants. Cubans are not anti-American. if they were, there wouldn't be so many of them in Miami and elsewhere.
The present incumbent in the White House is also fond of bugging phones. As for spooks, the CIA has plenty of 'em.

[Guy Courchesne]

[john_n_carolina]

....hard to say, i haven't been there. but, had a Cuban friend in NY a few years ago, and he said there were a few UK teachers there and 0 Americans.

actually, they don't even want to learn English (advanced) because they know they can never leave and will never study at the univ level in the US.

and if they do leave, it's in a bamboo boat and directly to the Yankees.
El Duque still can't speak English, he's been here 15 years.

[Guy Courchesne]

[grahamb]

So, John, you admit you've never been to Cuba and yet you make ridiculous statements such as "actually, they don't even want to learn English (advanced) because they know they can never leave and will never study at the univ level in the US." What utter nonsense! On eight trips to Cuba (staying with Cubans, not insulated in beach resorts), I've met Cubans whose level of English would put many native speakers to shame.
If Cubans can't leave Cuba, how come there are so many of them in the USA?
I suggest you do some research and base any future postings on established facts, not on fantasy.

[john_n_carolina]

.....im sure you know, but this is why there are so many Cubans in the US. read the article below...believe me, they didn't apply for visas. and, im using my friend as a primary source. he told me there's little interest to study English past learning "apple, banana, where is this, could, should, would, etc"...


The modern migration of Cubans to the United States began in 1959 as Castro's victory seemed imminent. Those who came to the United States were not the poorest segments of society, as had been the case with Mexicans and Puerto Ricans. They were members of the prosperous middle class--shop owners, businesspeople, and professionals who feared the consequences of a Castro takeover. The first Cubans to arrive were those who escaped. Later arrivals for the most part consisted of those allowed to leave by the Cuban government.

During the years 1961 through 1970 a total of 256,769 Cuban immigrants were admitted to the United States. The largest number to arrive in a single year during that decade was 99,312 in 1968. Another 270,000 came during the next decade.

Castro decided on April 20 to open the port of Mariel on Cuba's north coast for those who wanted to go to the United States. In the next five months about 123,000 new Cuban refugees landed in Florida. Among them were about 5,000 hard-core criminals and a larger number of persons who had been held as political prisoners.

Cuban Americans. By the early 1990s there were well over 1 million Cuban Americans in the United States. They had come mostly as refugees, which distinguished them from the other large Hispanic groups. Because of their refugee status they were offered help from the federal government that the other groups did not receive. The Cuban Refugee Resettlement Program provided them with financial assistance and help in finding housing.

[john_n_carolina]

....yes, i understand this. and, Cuba is a great country. there literacy rate is above 95% and their medical research world class.

but, that person you know that spoke "perfect English"....was he/she the one selling coconut juice on the corner, or finishing their Phd. at Univ. of South Florida??