Job Discussion Forums

[Cristina J.]

Hi all,

First, let me say that I know this is a long post. However, I am in desperate need of advice this weekend at a job fair and hope you all will read this and share any advice you may have. I will love you forever!!!!

I am torn between a decision to take an ESL teaching job in Panama City, Panama or just stay home teaching ESL like I have been in the U.S. for the past 6 years. It all comes down to financial security. I am at an international teacher recruiting fair this weekend and am talking with the school in Panama that I have been considering. Please let me know any advice. I will appreciate it more than you probably realize.

I posted last week trying to find out whether Panama was a desirable place to go or not. I got back one response that said it was. I believe I would be happy with the location. However, I just have no idea what to ask for what I should NOT ask for when it comes to teacher salary since I have never taught abroad.

It has always been my dream to find a job teaching in Latin America. Finally this year I have reduced my debt enough to the point I feel like I can try to find a job teaching in Latin America. However, now that I am seriously considering a job in Panama City, Panama- I wonder is it still going to be enough money.

The school that I am considering in Panama takes care of rent, lunch, and transportation. However, I will still have to pay for utilities, internet at house (which is something I want), and food. So, after doing some research and talking to other teachers at the school- it seems that out of a $1500 per month salary, I will have approx $500 left over to spend per month. However, I have an unavoidable $300 debt to pay each month in the U.S. Sooo, this will leave me at about $200 for entertainment and savings. I mean, is $200 spending money a realistic amount of money?
I really got into the ESL career because I wanted to travel the world, specifically somewhere in Latin America. However, I don�t want to travel to a new place finally in order to have to stay at the apartment all the time because I don�t even have enough money to explore the area and surrounding countries during breaks from school.

Also, the work hours for teacher are a mandatory 8 and � hours. This may sound ridiculous, but I am accustomed to 7 and � hours per day! I don�t know, maybe I am being ridiculous. I have a master�s degree in ESL and 5 years experience teaching ESL k-12 in the U.S. So, I just think $1500 a month is too low a salary. However, I have never taught overseas so maybe this is not bad.

I am just not experienced in teaching overseas and really need advice about whether to go or stay. I know the job I have now like the back of my hand. So, maybe I am really just worried about a new job with more students per classroom. More so, I am worried about the money. I am too old to take a job in Panama where I go broke and have to move home without any money or parents to bum from while I try to find a new job. The school system I work in now is one of those systems where you have to know someone in order to get a job. So, I know if I left it, I would never get it back. However, I hate NOT to try something new in fear of not getting my old job back. I just don�t want to go broke and become a bum. I am sooo ready for something NEW though! Please, any advice is appreciated.

I have not accepted this job and really want to ask for at least $200 more for the salary per month. So, I want at least $1700 instead of $1500 per month. Is this ridiculous and too much to ask for? Think of me as dumb, but I honestly don�t know and appreciate any advice about this. I don�t want the school to completely disregard me from the pool of candidates because of this, so please tell me if asking for $200 more is unacceptable for a job in Panama City, Panama. . Especially if you read this whole long message!

[HLJHLJ]

You aren't going to get a lot of help here I'm afraid. You are looking at International School jobs, and this is an ESL board, very few posters work in International Schools. I'll offer what little I can. I've only been to Panama on vacation, but I would have no hesitation in accepting a job there. However, the visa situation for ESL work means I will almost certainly never be offered one!

$1,000 a month sounds quite a lot for food and utilities, I suppose it depends on how much you spend on food, and whether you drink/smoke. $200 a month won't pay for a huge amount of entertainment, but you won't have to be a hermit either.

You didn't mention health insurance either. Who will pay for that?

Considering all the other benefits, $1,500 sounds pretty reasonable to me. I know one of the better international schools in Ecuador pays less than that per month without housing, etc. But the cost of living is probably significantly cheaper in Ecuador.

As for whether you can ask for the extra $200 or not, I've no idea whether it's the done thing or not. But if you need it, you are going to have to ask for it. There's no point accepting the job at $1,500 if you need $1,700. So if they reject you because you asked for more, well, you couldn't afford the lower wage anyway, so what does it matter?

So my basic advice is the same as it would be to anyone contemplating their first foray into teaching abroad. Don't take a job you can't afford and make sure you have a Plan B, along with sufficient cash to fund it, in case it does all goes belly up.

[Cristina J.]

haha, thanks! I do not have any extra cash saved up, so it looks like I am going to have to ask for the $ 200 extra per month. I will let you know how that goes......

[Concepcion780]

I have never actually been to panama (heard good things though) but I have a feeling $1500 will go a lot further than you are expecting it to. Electricity is more expensive in central america than in the US, but I have no idea how electricity, water, transportation, internet and a phone would end up costing you $1000. Maybe the people you talked with meant that after necessities (utilities, groceries, taxis) you would have $500 left in just like "fun" money. No harm asking for more though. More money is always better than less!
Good luck!