Job Discussion Forums

[Luvqtpie]

Hi everyone!

I'm a newbie to this forum and I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on where to apply in Chile? I am looking to go to Santiago in August or September. Is this a good time to go? I will be applying before I go, hoping to find a job; however, if no success, than I will still move down and hope to find something while I am there. I have heard that Chile seems to pay the best of Latin American countries. Is this true? I was also wondering if there are other opportunities, besides teaching in Santiago for me. I have some spanish background (4 years in University), hoping to perfect it and become fluent once I move there for a period of time. Are there ways of getting a tutor (so to speak) for cheap or trading to teach them english?

Sorry for the million questions, and I am sure I have many more, but for another time.

Hopefully someone can help!

Adios!

[Weona]

While it may be true that the pay is relatively high in comparison with other South American countries, it is probably the most expensive country in which to live so it really evens out. Regardless, don't expect to save money while you're down there.

The desire to learn english in Santiago is pretty low however there are college students and businessman alike who need to learn it for their careers. A good bet would be to put an ad in the paper or posting ads at one of the cities many universities. Good way to make money but I'm not so sure how good of a tutor they'd be. They might make great conversation partners, however.

[Tio-Oso]

Hi there!

I just wanted to wish you all the best in your search. I too will be in Santiago in August and plan to stay long-term. ( I am getting married next March) I have had some trouble finding alot of job openings on the web, but... anyway you might try the Tronwell Institute. www.tronwell.cl They give 6 month to one year contracts and are probably my best lead right now. God knows I have been researching this for months now. Heck, I would work at Mc Donalds in Santiago at first if I had to!

So you have a good handle on Spanish? Most schools dont require teachers to know Spanish, but as you can imagine, it does make life easier.

I have a few more contacts if you would like them... let me know


Tio Oso

[Weona]

Also - just an ok command on Spanish doesn't mean much when first coming to Chile. The Spanish spoken here is out of this world..... but fun to use once you get the hang of it!

Oh and Tio - will you be getting married in Chile?

[Luvqtpie]

Thanks Tio and Weona!

Any contacts would be great!!! If you don't mind sharing! I do not have definite plans yet, however, I am planning to come during August. How far in advance do you think I should apply online??? I am part of Global Tesol College, which gives you a large list of schools to apply for, and a few listings of jobs available (let me know if you want any of them); however, I figured that if there is another place to look for jobs postings or a contact who knows where best to apply for, that might be my best luck!

Oh yeah! Did either of you end up taking any TESOL courses???

Tio, congrats on getting married in March! Will you be getting married in Santiago???

[Tio-Oso]

Luv -

Thanks for the congrats - I am coming to Santiago on August 10th. I would love a list of searchin' schools, thanks again. Anyway, I will be flying out of Miami on the 9th. That is the only part that I don't like. I can never seem to sleep on a plane. Oh well. Talk to all you lovley people later.

[Luvqtpie]

Sorry, but I am new at this, I do have a list of school's in Chile, but I wouldn't want to post it, since it's so long. Is there a way of me sending an email to you? And how? Or do I send a "private post"??? And how do I attach it???? Sorry for any inconvenience!!!

[denise]

I just got here a little over 24 hours ago. I am working for Curtis Language Consulting (www.curtis.cl). I haven�t started teaching yet, but my first impression after stopping by the office and meeting a few people was very positive. Everyone was super-friendly, helpful, and sociable, which for me is almost as important as the teaching--I need a good support network. I know they are still looking for teachers. It�s business English, and I think they�ve got a bunch of new clients.

d

[bzakka]

Wow, your first posting was like identical to my first one...
I gotta give some advice since I got helped out a lot by people on this site.
And bitched out by others.

My advice to denise and luv is don�t sign a contract if you dont have to. A lot of times a company will put a provision in their contracts that say you cant work anywhere else or take any private students. nuts to that!
you can work illegally for up to three months (no one cares) and then you can apply for "professional residency" or something like that which will let you work wherever you want without needing a company to sponsor your work visa... if your spanish is good check out this site.
http://www.extranjeria.gob.cl/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=114

there are private students all over the place around here, and once you get one (and they like you) they are almost certainly going to refer you to other people they know. If you are teaching private students you can charge considerably more per hour than what an institute is going to pay you. Most institutes will pay from 5-7000 pesos per hour, you can find individual students willing to pay up to twice that. The students who go thru an institue pay that much anyway to the company.
The internet is useless for finding jobs from the states or canada. You wont find anything good until you get here, believe me. come with at least a thousand $USD for peace of mind.


I been here for about six weeks and have found many students without the help of institutes. I also work with three institutes! They are generally very flexible and will work around your schedule. Most employ up to 25 teachers and will give out classes to whoever is avalable at that time. Two of the institutes only gave me one class. They pay by check which you can cash no problem with your passport. If you know the right people, like the directors of certain key institues, you can pretty much create a schedule piece by piece that suits your desire and ability to work. Its not hard! I got introduced by a friend of mine i met on hospitality club (which is the bomb... www.hospitalityclub.org) to a lot of really great people around town who got me a lot of work, gave me tons of advice, and found me a place to live.

Yes, Chilean spanish is a bitch to get a grip on. like for real. but you will get used to it just like everything else. at least thats what i keep telling myself.

i cant believe i missed the freakn white stripes when they came here.

-bzakka

[denise]

[bzakka]

yes, full time jobs are certainly handy if you have the disposition for that sort of thing. however, there is also the sort (like myself) who wants resume padding, international experience, the fewest hours possible, and income enough only for food, rent, and snowboarding every weekend. Speaking of which, anyone know why it costs $600 to send a snowboard surface mail form the states???

[denise]

$600?!?!? Ouch! I brought mine with me--unfortunately, that meant I had to cut down on the rest of my luggage and mail some of my clothes and other belongings to myself over here.

When I left Japan, I had two checked bags plus my snowboard, and I had to pay an extra $200--still much cheaper than that surface mail price of yours. If there aren't any other viable postal options, you may as well bring it with you. Depending on which airline you fly with, you might be able to check it under a "winter sports" allowance--a representative with American airlines told me that passengers could send skis/boots/poles, and presumably snowboards, at no extra charge, and they wouldn't be counted as part of the two-bag limit. (I guess the folks at the check-in counter at the airport didn't know that...)

d

p.s. Duh, silly me. I see that you are already here... I suppose bringing it over isn't an option.

[don�s kings]

At the moment, I know both Grant's English and Curtis english are looking for teachers. If you are qualified I would recomend Grants.. If you aren't then Curtis is a descent option

[denise]

[eileen]

True. Curtis does require at least a TEFL. I knew someone who was quite happy working there for about a year, and only stopped because she left Chile.