Job Discussion Forums

Seattle_Dan · Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 2

Ok so i just graduated about 8 months ago and i am now working at a job that i dont like. I want to change my carrer but before i do i want to do some traveling. I just turned 22, i am planning on finishing up a full year at this job before i leave, which would take me to around september. I have a few questions:

I want to be in costa rica for at least 6 months, can i sign a 6 month contract and then work month to month?

I have no certification, but i am good at selling myself, i have tutoring experience, a business degree, and great grades, do i need certification to work in CR?

How important is knowing spanish...? I know a little bit, but besides where is the beer and where is the bathroom, will i need to know more to survive?

Should i look for a company to place me in a position or should i just show up in costa rica?

I have no debt, and am mainly interested in making enough money to live and go out. Can i live off my wages or should i bring some extra money...?how much?

Are there any schools in CR that you guys know about that provide housing for the students together?

Are the majority of the teaching jobs at one location or do they have you travel to different homes/businesses?

What are the women like? Are people generally nice to americans?

What about other jobs for english speaking americans?

Thanks for the help guys!
- Danny

thombo · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 38 Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Danny,

Those are all pretty good questions, and questions I had this time a year ago. It sounds like we both graduated at the same time, and I will say, moving to Costa Rica, or just about any country, to do some travelling, get experience, etc. is a really good option before launching into a full career.

Anyway, I have a blog that I'd recommend you look through that answers a lot of the questions that you've asked. That URL is http://costaricaclassroom.blogspot.com I recommend going through some of the posts here on the ESL Cafe message board, and reading through the archives of my blog to get a good sense of what to expect.

Quickly though, I looked into programs that either train and place you or just place you in a job and they seemed really expensive for what they offered. Now that I'm down here, they seem REALLY REALLY expensive for what they offered. There is a demand for english teachers so you shouldn't have too hard of a time finding a job on your own. The trick is that it's very difficult to do that until you're actually in CR.

As for training, I think I talk a little about this in the blog, but I came down, like you, with a college degree, good grades, tutoring experience, but no TEFL, and my girlfriend came down with similar qualifications AND the TEFL training. She found a job faster that paid more, but I didn't have that much trouble finding a job and don't think you will either.

Spanish is not necessary, but you might get rather frustrated at times, especially in the beginning when you are trying to find your way around, find a place, a job, a meal, etc etc.

Alright, I know there are more questions to be answered, but see what you can find on my blog and on this message board. Feel free to email me or comment on the blog with any more questions you might have.

Bruce
_________
Costa Rica Classroom - ESL Blog

rpbagwell

Go to the link below...you can get your TEFL certification on-line for only $265 and complete the program in as little as a few weeks. I would recommend getting your TEFL before you go. For a relatively small investment in time and money, it should prove to be very valuable in your job search and result in a higher paying job.

http://teacher-training.net/default.asp?ref=feature

snorklequeen · Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 10:27 pm Post subject: Uncertified`

We discussed this various times on the Mexico board; the general consensus was that the online training classes with no supervised job training of at least 6 hours is not worth much. if you are competing for a job with someone who completed a resident training course and had the 6 hours supervised teaching practicum, the certified person would be hired. don't know about Costa Rica. just want to put this out there for you to think about before you make a choice.

cheers, Queenie

Vanica · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 368 Location: North Carolina

What should one bring to CR in terms of documents? I read somewhere that apostilles aren't necessary.

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

Bring copies of everything you have, but you don't need really formal stuff (i.e. embassy-okay'ed) unless you're looking to get a residency permit, as far as I know. The only thing I've ever been asked to show here is my passport, insurance and TEFL certification.

snorklequeen · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:45 am Post subject: Online TEFL

do be wary of a trainer named Peter Appleton. i learned of him on the Mexico board.

snorklequeen · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:29 am Post subject:

Ole, when you say you've had to show proof of insurance, is that auto insurance or health insurance? tks, Queenie

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

Health insurance. I haven't had to show it yet, though, except to a hospital that didn't give a shit about it anyway. I don't have a car. :)

snorklequeen · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:53 pm Post subject: Health insurance

thanks, Ole! is it required for entry into CR to have health insurance? when i move down, i won't have a car either. those people drive like maniacs anyway; no way i want to drive with them. they're worse than in Mexico, imho

cheers, Q

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

As long as you're from the Occident, all you need to get into CR is a pulse. I don't even know if they check for that.

snorklequeen · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:06 am Post subject: Health insurance

hahahahahahahahahahaha i do have a pulse, so they can check away!
Q Laughing

djlera · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Heredia, Costa Rica

dan-

almost all contracts are for a year, but what are they gonna do sue you?

you don't need a cert to work here, but it helps. If you don't have I wouldn't worry too much. a suit and tie says about as much as a cert. in my humble opinion.

Spanish is good to know, especially for meeting Ticos, but a ton of people know English here, so you should be OK. some official stuff like health insurance, work visas, banking, is all done in Spanish though. know this: pura vida, tuanis (like cool- from too nice) and hijo de puta

just show up to find a job, wages here are low and companies are not really that professional so international advertising is not common...

not sure about schools that handle housing, but there are plenty of other options...

a lot of teachers travel, but it depends on the amount of work you want. people often have more than one job, not me though.

people are nice to us gringos ( by the way don't call yourself and American cuz people here are also Americans and they can get a bit touchy... we are estadounidenses or simply gringos Smile

the women are beautiful, nuff said.

other jobs for English speakers are mainly at call centers, and sports books taking bets from the US. The money is not as good and the hours kinda suck... but its easy as hell