Job Discussion Forums

[extranjera]

hi i just stumbled on this post, but i was wondering,

I don�t have any teaching experience yet, but I have a CELTA and a BA degree, from the USA, and I�m in Peru at the moment. Do you think there are opportunities for someone like me to teach in Cali or other Colombian city?
I speak some Spanish, am a 26 year old female. Thanks,

[Sass25]

[Sass25]

[misteradventure]

You can't engineer five posts to get the magic clickie?

The system is designed to weed out offending posts by robots or contracted workers from some of our host countries.. Even if you designate the posts (delete me, I want to send a PM) for future removal by the Mods, you can meet your quota.

Cali sounds fun. heck, anywhere but here sounds fun at the moment. Even Belarus.

[simonenglish]

I hope this thread develops and people post info on good schools and decent salsa nightspots..

I have been dancing salsa for three years, and it is a dream of mine to get to Cali and spend time out there doing workshops, social dancing, and so on. I have a few contacts there, and I already know about a few places like Tin Tin Deo.... Colombian salsa music is the best for me.

I will probably get to Cali in a year or two. I want to make some money first, and then head out to South America.

[Utica2008]

Hi all,

I was wondering if someone wasn't able to secure a job in Cali, could they make enough to support themselves through private lessons. I am hoping to travel out in February with a CELTA equivalent but very little or no experience. I will just be just trying to cover rent and money to get by for myself, plus enough for a cheap night out maybe once a week.
Cheers

[spanglish]

Not a good idea to rely on private classes. Initially you might make enough to pay for a meal or 2....You'll also need to work out your visa situation. As a tourist you'll have to leave within 6 months or less.

[Utica2008]

Thanks Spanglish,

Obviously relying on private lessons would be plan B in the event of not finding regular work.

I have read quite a few of your posts, and you seem to have a wealth of experience. Although Latin America is obviously not the best place to start an efl career, it is the one destination that appeals to me now. I would gladly take a chance on starting there, and if I do run into a slight amount of debt, move home or elsewhere in order to pay it off.

Given your experience, where in Latin America would you recommend going first in search of work?

Plan is to leave go to Latin America in February, will only be 23, single guy so after putting a roof over my head, all I am really hoping to do is experience Latin American culture, even on a tight budget. Although I am hoping to improve my Spanish so Brazil is way down the priority list.
Thanks,
Donal

EDIT - Having to move on after six months or so wouldn't be much of an issue either

[spanglish]

Just make sure you have a few thousand dollars in savings post-CELTA and you should be fine. I've never been to Cali, but am guessing you'll be able to charge 30.000-50.000 for private classes there. If you're primarily interested in experiencing the culture and learning the language, it'd be a good idea to enroll in some university Spanish courses. That way you could take extra elective courses, make friends, network, get a student visa, and start finding private students. ICESI (the posh, private university in Cali) might have a Spanish for foreigners program.

[CarolinaTHeels]

You are stressing WAY to much.

Do you have a 4 yr degree?

If so you will have NO problem finding work.

Im in Asia right now and I am moving to teach in Colombia (most likely Cali) after I finish my contract in Korea.

I cant wait. Asia just blows in comparison to Latin America. The women, the music, the dancing, the friendliness, ect.

[Utica2008]

Hi Carolina, I do indeed have a 4 year degree but will not be TEFL qualified until the end of next month, so at most I will only have a month or two experience, which is still unlikely, although I am considering working for free here in Ireland for a month in order to get a good reference.

I'm not trying to sound ignorant or anything, but do you mind me asking where you heard about the ease of finding work?

Spanglish - Getting a student visa is something I am considering if I cannot get a work visa. I know of a reasonably priced Spanish for foreigners program at a univeristy in Medellin, ten hours a week. At least that will bring me in around students and maybe find small groups who would be interested in lessons together. A reasonable price for them, but it would all add up for me.

I will look into that University and other Universities in Cali, or maybe someone else reading this knows of courses?

Cheers,
Donal

[CarolinaTHeels]

Utica,

I know people that are teaching in Colombia and that have taught in Colombia.

They all confirm what you read online.

Which is it is very easy to get a job teaching English in Colombia (with the exception of Medellin).

For most language institutes you dont even need a TEFL certificate much less a degree.

[kenwyne]

I�m also thinking of moving to Cali. I have 5 years experience and a Delta. Are there any schools or universities anyone could recommend?

Any advice would be great.

Rich

[Utica2008]

Good to hear!

Do you (or anyone else reading this forum) know when would be the best time to arrive? If I was to land in Colombia in mid February and start applying to schools would that be early enough? Or should I plan on arriving earlier?