Job Discussion Forums

[pollitatica]

Hello

I am heading off to Honduras in January. I have been offered two volunteer teaching jobs at different schools in two very different parts of the country. I studied in Costa Rica for a semester, and have traveled to Mexico and Nicaragua ... so I know what to expect and what not to expect when it comes to Latin America. No issues there. I have a bachelors degree in Spanish/Communication, minor in Cross Cultural Studied, ESL experience ... blah blah blah.

The first school .... My Little Red House Bilingual School is in Ocotepeque near the border with El Salvador. I'd be teaching English (phonetics, spelling, reading) to a variety of primary grades. I would receive room and board in exchange for my teaching.

The second school ... La Trinidad Santa, in La Ceiba ... is on the coast. (hooray)! I would be teaching either 1st or 2nd grade in a self contained English classroom. So, I would be teaching all subjects. They have offered $300 plus a furnished apt.

I'm leaning towards the second school in La Ceiba for a variety of reasons. From what I have heard from previous volunteers at My LRH, its a great school .. great kids, etc ... but they really just throw you into the classroom and say "Ok. Teach them English." The school in La Ceiba is a religious-based school (Epsicopal), but I have no problem with that. It seems that they have a cirriculum and a bit more guidance when it comes to the classroom.


So .. what are all your thoughts? My sister lived in Honduras for two years during the Hurricane Mitch aftermath, and she is very excited for me wanting to go there. I was going to go back to Costa Rica, but I feel much more drawn to Honduras. (Though I absolutely love Costa Rica, and have been back there several times, and hopefully will travel through there during my month or so break from school in Honduras).
So yeah, any thoughts on La Ceiba or Honduras in general. I doubt that anyone has specific school info, but if you do ... its more than welcomed!

Thanks!
Katrina


Oh yeah. And I'm not looking for "dont come here. its too dangerous. you'll get robbed. it won't be what your expecting." blah blah blah. So if thats what you're going to say, please don't waste your time.

[Sgt Killjoy]

Go with the one in La Ceiba. I have some great memories of La Ceiba, nice little beach city. You know what the deal is in Honduras so I won't give you any warnings. The really nice beaches aren't exactly close to La Ceiba, but it doesn't take much effort to get to one. The Garifuna Culture, well you can get a taste of it in La Ceiba. There are also fairly inexpensive ferries out to the Bay Islands as well.

About the Espicopal School, I know a man who taught for an Epsicopal School in Honduras for several years and he was really gung ho on it. He likes the organization and it seemed like they supported their teachers.

On money issues, well, while one pays and the other doesn't, you will probably come out of both ends about the same.

[pollitatica]

Thanks for the info! I think La Ceiba will work out well for me. It's way more accessible from San Pedro Sula too ... not way up in the mountains.

That's great to hear about the Epsicopal schools. I think they are mostly run by the same people, because the person who originally contacted me (who I sent my resume to) wasn't the actual school in La Ceiba. She put me in touch with several Episcopal schools in Honduras. It seems that they support the teachers from the impression I've gotten so far. I need to call them and ask a few more questions. (They have a US number that you can call...)