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PittsburghSound
Joined: 27 Aug 2014
Posts: 103
Location: Colombia
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 Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 10:36 pm Post subject: Evaluating LA |
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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! |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 10:44 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 3:14 am Post subject: Re: Evaluating LA |
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| PittsburghSound wrote: |
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. |
There's always the Peace Corps for teaching in Latin America (http://www.peacecorps.gov/volunteer/learn/wherepc/southamerica/). Obviously, it doesn't pay much, but your degree already qualifies you to teach, and you'd receive Spanish lessons. Peace Corps experience is also a plus in terms of obtaining financial assistance if you plan to head to graduate school in the future. |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 3:32 am Post subject: Re: Evaluating LA |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| There's always the Peace Corps for teaching in Latin America. |
Yes, and it's not nearly as competitive as Fulbright, so the odds of getting a placement are significantly greater. Frankly, the Peace Corps is really one of the few viable options for U.S. citizens seeking entry-level work in many Latin American (or other developing) countries. |
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PittsburghSound
Joined: 27 Aug 2014
Posts: 103
Location: Colombia
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| Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 4:34 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 6:40 am Post subject: |
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| PittsburghSound wrote: |
| 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. |
| Quote: |
Can I choose the country I most want to serve in?
Applicants can apply to up to three specific countries and programs at a time, and have the option to select "Send me where I'm most needed" as one (or more) of their choices. Applicants may reapply for future programs if they are not selected for their top choices. Peace Corps Volunteers come from all walks of life and have a broad range of skill sets and career priorities, but they all want to volunteer to serve others. Some potential Volunteers will be interested in a specific area of the world, others in a specific language, program, or sector area. No matter what your personal priority is, you can express your preference to the Peace Corps. (http://www.peacecorps.gov/volunteer/learn/howvol/faq/apply/) |
In terms of your other questions, you need to proactively scrounge around on those country-specific forums as well as this one and start posting there as well. |
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wanderingxelmundo
Joined: 25 Mar 2015
Posts: 86
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| Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 12:28 pm Post subject: |
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| PittsburghSound wrote: |
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. |
I'm wondering about this, too. Are people suggesting US gov't positions because it's hard to find work in these places the OP has mentioned? (the Ecuador and Colombia locations are on my list, too, but I personally would never work for the US government or a government-sponsored program). |
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