Job Discussion Forums

[davechile]

I have been thinking about what is the best way to learn spanish as mine is rudamentary at best.
I was planning on living with a family for like the first six months
Is it cheap to live with a family? How much do you think it should cost me?

Then find a roommate or if I find a girlfriend hook up there. I really want to immerse myself in the culture and people.
How would a roommate situation cost me generally? I am sure I'll know by then but, it is good to hear.

[Sgt Killjoy]

You have a lot of posts, Dave and it seems like you are not really sure what you want. Maybe you need to sit back and re-evaluate what you want out of your stay in Chile. Do you want to immerse yourself in culture or earn big bucks? It is hard to immerse yourself in the local culture and learn the local langauge when you are chasing money.

Depending on your age and background, a home stay may not be the best way to learn a language, experience the culture or even save money. You might find it easier to rent a room to start out with where you can maintain some independence.

I know this all daunting about moving to a new country and starting a new life as a teacher, but trust me, you should be thinking about what you really want to get out of a move such as this.

[Joeldew]

Dave,

You�ve asked a lot of excellent questions�Indeed, moving to a new country can be quite overwhelming and exciting.

Your situation is certainly not unique; we�ve all been through the same emotional roller-coaster.

Your research will inform you that a lot of the participants in this industry are not doing it for the monetary rewards. I possess a Commerce degree (international business), Dip in Banking and Finance, Cert TESOL and MA (Applied Linguistics). In addition, I have spent the last six years as a Professional Banker and a teacher-trainer at a university level. I have been offered numerous teaching positions in various countries. Clearly, the monetary returns are no where as near as what I would normally get paid as a Professional Banker but that�s ok. The cultural and learning experience exceeds the monetary rewards.

Perhaps, you may need to view this as a cultural learning experience; immerse yourself in the cultural and social landscape. Indeed, there�s so much to see, explore, learn and experience. It is incredibly ambitious to view this �ESL Teaching� as a cash cow or a financial planning opportunity. �Reality� is a good thing.

Hope to see you in Chile some day mate (I�ll buy you a beer; my shout!!!)

Best regards,

Joel

[davechile]

Sgt

My number one goal is learn Spanish, then cultural (hand in hand), ability make enough money to support trips and learn about the country, and if I can save a little wonderful. I figured it costs $600-800 to live. Are their any taxes? sure? How much is left over to take a ski trip or a camping trip in the Andes? I am just trying to guage how much I need to save before leaving and how much I can earn while I am there to get a full experience. I am a pretty Spartan traveler and don't need anything fancy.

Dave

[roaster]

Hey guys,

Good to hear that there are a few people coming to Santiago too July/August time. I plan on arriving at the start of August to catch the new term. Just wanted to post about a handy newspaper article that summarises answers to alot of your questions about Chile. Its a British newspaper, so you will probably have to change salaries etc in dollars, but it does give a nice wee overview of the TEFL situation there. Actually, search around the website (the education part) for other articles too, theres some good ones about TEFL experiences of different kinds, giving a kind of cross country perspective, plus classroom advice etc..

Good luck! and maybe see you in the country!

[roaster]

Hi again.

Well just to demonstrate my common sense, yes I forgot to put the actual link. Here ya go...

http://education.guardian.co.uk/tefl/story/0,,769578,00.html

[DianaMa]

Hi Guys,

Those of you who may remember me know that I promised to keep you all aprised of my happenings here in Santiago, well I have been a bit busy and I don't have my own internet conection so I'm more or less on borrowed time but enough excuses..... down to the meat and potatos (which I can't afford )

My rent is 160 000 (or 160 lucas as they say here) my administrative costs (which are called gastos cumunes here) will be between 30 - 60 lucas depending on how much water, electricity and and central heating I use.

My cell phone is pre- paid, I paid 40 lucas for it and I can get by for a couple of weeks on a 5 lucas card.

My weekly grocery bill (bananas, plums, skim milk, soy milk, crackers, clight, cream cheese, onions, oatmeal, grits, yogurt, corn chips and mineral water, chocolate) is 10 lucas.

I carpool to work but on average I take 6 buses a week at 350 ( bus fair), I don't even consider taxis. I don't usually need the metro.

Laundering is done once a week and I pay 5 lucas (two loads whites and colors, what can I say, my moma done taught me well)

I eat out once or twice a week usally empanada with beer 2 lucas, once I got really fancy and ate at an arabian restaurant, 8 lucas (mostly apps)

I'm currently living in Las Condes which is an expensive neighbourhood (well at least in my opinion). I'm due for a haircut and other forms of pampering soon so if anyone knows of a good and reasonable place, do share.

cheers
Diana