Job Discussion Forums

[Gawain]

BIG BIG MONEY. Sure, buddy. Everything on Dave's tells me you cannot make or save money in South America, especially compared to Asia and Middle East. Is this mostly because South America enjoys huge supply of English-speaking backpackers? Or is it due mostly to overall poverty of region? Or is English so easy to learn for Spanish-speakers that enrolling in schools is unnecessary?

How would you define typical EFL teacher: By local standards are they seen as Lower, Upper, or Middle Class?

How would you rank South American cities or nations in terms of EFL teacher quality of life and income?

[ls650]

[her.markness]

I'm currently teaching in South Korea through a Fulbright grant (public school--756 kids in 7-9 grade). I have my B.A. in English and my TESL certificate. I'm looking to move to South America and am up for any Spanish speaking place. I'm not looking to make money, but I'm not looking to lose any, either (after settling-in expenses, of course).

So. Are there any countries in which I WON'T make enough to cover my expenses, even if I work full-time/teach 25+ hours a week? I'm not looking to live beachfront, but I don't really want to live in a hostal-like environment, either.
I sort of get the impression that it is harder to make ends meet in Argentina. Is that true?

Thanks!

[Justin Trullinger]

Don't know much about Argentina, but Matt will be posting shortly, I'm sure.

In general, it depends a lot on you. How much you get out of it really depends on how much you put in, as in most things. I don't know of anyplace where foreign teachers are generally in poverty. But your living here in Ecuador will go farther, or less far, depending on how you view what you want to do here. I have never had trouble making ends meet on my salary, and am even saving enough to do something interesting. (Property, grad school, very long vacation, I haven`t decided yet.) And yet, I've known many teachers, some better paid than I, who have trouble getting to the end of the month.

Partly because there are first world style amusements and activities. If you want to go to the clubs, eat in the restaurants, and stay in the hotels which are meant to seem just like the ones back home, well, know that those are only aimed towards the super rich in many countries. A nice local style of living is what I want, and what I have. But I'll never be super rich.

Justin

[kingkristopher]

hermarkness,

You would have trouble finding something in Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador) and possibly Bolivia and Paraguay. With your qualifications every other mainland Latin American country would be able to offer you ample opportunties.