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HLJHLJ
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1218
Location: Ecuador
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 Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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It's not quite as clear-cut here. I'm working part time at a top international school at the moment. I'm on a local hire contract, and although I would earn more if I was an overseas hire, it wouldn't be *that* much more. I could still easily earn double my current income if I went back to university work. (To give context, on a dollar for dollar basis, by husband earns close here to what he was previously paid in Japan, but living costs are a fraction of Japan).
However, there are plenty of opportunities if you choose to go freelance, as long as you have the confidence to go out there and find work. I've known people here who have built up fantastic client bases, with very little in the way of formal qualifications. There is a lot of room for, and respect for, that sort of entrepreneurial spirit here. |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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| HLJHLJ wrote: |
| It's not quite as clear-cut here. |
Which is precisely why these types of conversations are helpful. Latin America is a very diverse place and, while there are certain continuities from one country to another, it's always dangerous to make sweeping generalizations about the whole region based on one's narrow experience in one or two countries. Overall, I get the impression that Ecuador (which is where I assume you're working) is probably a somewhat more viable option than the D.R. for university teaching. |
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HLJHLJ
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1218
Location: Ecuador
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| Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 3:09 am Post subject: |
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| esl_prof wrote: |
| Overall, I get the impression that Ecuador (which is where I assume you're working) is probably a somewhat more viable option than the D.R. for university teaching. |
That's funny, I was thinking D.R. was a better option! I guess they both have pros and cons. The main issue in Ecuador is that in the long-term, without a postgraduate degree doors are closing all the time. |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 3:26 am Post subject: |
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| HLJHLJ wrote: |
| That's funny, I was thinking D.R. was a better option! I guess they both have pros and cons. The main issue in Ecuador is that in the long-term, without a postgraduate degree doors are closing all the time. |
I guess it depends on what your considerations are. The advantage of the DR in terms of uni teaching is that it is very doable without a graduate degree and, frankly, having a degree probably isn't going to be a significant advantage over not having one. Additionally, residency permits seem to be much easier to come by. The cons are that, unlike Ecuador, you're basically doing hourly work and don't have the stability that comes with a fixed contract. Also, university salaries are going to be very close to, if not a bit below, subsistence level wages. Ecuador, on the other hand, seems to offer better earning potential.
If, as you suggest, doors are closing in Ecuador for folks without graduate degrees, then the DR would, in fact, be the better option. For those of us who do have graduate degrees (and connections to land a job at a good school), I'm guessing that Ecuador is still the better choice. |
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HLJHLJ
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1218
Location: Ecuador
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| Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 3:35 am Post subject: |
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| esl_prof wrote: |
| Additionally, residency permits seem to be much easier to come by. |
Actually, resident visas are not difficult to get here, all you need is a BA and a clean criminal record. We've just put our papers in for ours. If you don't want the hassle of doing it yourself, you can pay a facilitator about $500 to do it for you.
| esl_prof wrote: |
| The cons are that, unlike Ecuador, you're basically doing hourly work and don't have the stability that comes with a fixed contract. |
I can't remember if I've already mentioned this on this thread, but it's very unlikely someone would get a contract without a postgrad qualification. Also, even with one, you will have to do a year or so on an hourly rate first, while you prove yourself. But after that, and with the right qualifications, yes, there are definitely good opportunities to be found.
| esl_prof wrote: |
| For those of us who do have graduate degrees (and connections to land a job at a good school), I'm guessing that Ecuador is still the better choice. |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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| HLJHLJ wrote: |
| esl_prof wrote: |
| Additionally, residency permits seem to be much easier to come by. |
Actually, resident visas are not difficult to get here, all you need is a BA and a clean criminal record. We've just put our papers in for ours. If you don't want the hassle of doing it yourself, you can pay a facilitator about $500 to do it for you.
| esl_prof wrote: |
| The cons are that, unlike Ecuador, you're basically doing hourly work and don't have the stability that comes with a fixed contract. |
I can't remember if I've already mentioned this on this thread, but it's very unlikely someone would get a contract without a postgrad qualification. Also, even with one, you will have to do a year or so on an hourly rate first, while you prove yourself. But after that, and with the right qualifications, yes, there are definitely good opportunities to be found.
| esl_prof wrote: |
| For those of us who do have graduate degrees (and connections to land a job at a good school), I'm guessing that Ecuador is still the better choice. |
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Thanks for the clarification, HLJHLJ |
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just_a_mirage
Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Posts: 169
Location: ecuador
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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| I dont have a postgrad degree, and I am contracted both at a high school and university. I have also been on contract at an English Institute. It is possible to get them on just a B.S. or B.A. |
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HLJHLJ
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1218
Location: Ecuador
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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| just_a_mirage wrote: |
| I dont have a postgrad degree, and I am contracted both at a high school and university. I have also been on contract at an English Institute. It is possible to get them on just a B.S. or B.A. |
Outside of universities it's certainly possible (and very common)
J_A_M are you working full time at university? Have they asked staff to commit to a masters yet? If not, how are they planning to get around the new regulations? |
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