Job Discussion Forums

[The Great Toad]

In America I was a teacher- I have a teaching license in my home state...

Right well from a previous post lonnnng ago everyone pretty much said - do not work in a public school in Latin America because:

1 Less pay than a for profit school.

2 Long Hours...

3 Schools will have less media/materials for your use...

4 You are going to Need to be Excellent with the language and good at classroom management

Sooooo I want a FINAL verdict on it ( other than an international / prep school - which are also for profit) Is there a public school teaching program any any any where in the Latin Americas that has a reputable established one year style program?

Or should I just join the Peace Corps and make them send me to a Latin American Country... - JET and EPIK are well run national ESL one year placement programs in Japan and Han Land... However, I guess there is no such entity in any Latin Country Mmm maybe I will just give in and take the Korea job again...

But I dislike the idea of doing Business English...

[Justin Trullinger]

I don't know about public high schools or elementary schools. I've tried on numerous occasions to set up such a program. But public schools have virtually no resources to speak of in most cases- and while foreign teachers will accept not getting rich, I have not found them willing to starve. And it works out this way- a school can pay a local teacher $240 a month, and, as that teacher lives in a multi-income household, with extended family, it can work. But a foreign teacher, not having a family home in Ecuador, will have to spend $250 of that $240 on rent...you see the problem.

WorldTeach volunteer programs may be one option, if you're looking for a semi-subsidized volunteer program...

Public universities may be another option....watch this space to see how I do in setting up programs with public universities...


All the best,
Justin

[The Great Toad]

Mmm right Justin I guess that is the way it is. I guess it would be possible if you did the homestay option. But for most of the Western Adventure types that's unacceptable- I would have continued my homestay if it had not been for the hot and ummm well frankly, shoddy conditions when I was in Costa Rica...

But I guess it does come down to EPIK - Korea JET - Japan both having some good funding where the ESL teacher can even save a lot of money if they like... Hopefully, some countries figure out how to do it - maybe provide free housing and a small pay with free breakfast and lunch at the school and then a tax break- or no tax. If there was an established government Pub O of Ed. program in Panama city, Buenos Aries, or Lima where I could do a year in a Legit Public school and not be bothered to find good housing, worry about jumping about different teaching sites, and wondering about all the factors that go with a for-profit academy; I would definitely give it a go...

[naturegirl321]

I haven't heard anything. Maybe World Teach would have something.

Why don't you just work in a private school here? That way you won't be teaching 50 kids in one class.

[MELEE]

I can't vote in your poll, because none of the options fit. Latin America is very enigmatic.

I think that's why those of us who love it, do.


Public primary schools in Mexico do not have English as a subject. In the public secondary schools (grades 7-9) you have to be a gradutate of a Mexican teachers' college to get a job. And you must join the union and you might find your self in a strike that resembles a civil war. Not to mention classes of 40 to 80 students! no materials, a riduclous unachievable syllabus imposed on you by the state, etc. etc. You could get a job in a Mexican high school as high school (grades 10-12) is beyound mandatory education and freer from Sectretary of Educations control, so you don't need to be a graduate of a Mexican teachers' college to work there. But the conditions are not much better in terms of class size, materials, syllabus, etc.

But the public sector is not entirelly out of the question. I work at a public university. That is very definately an option for you. I also recently met a American women who is working at one of the teachers' colleges! (Escuela Normal) She was funded by a Fullbright or something like that. There are other similar opportunities in the summer when the Rotary club sponsers teachers to give free summer courses in many communities around the country.

It would be great if there were something like the JET program in Latin America, but the goverments have such a long way to go to get there act together enough for something like that to happen...

[lozwich]

I'm with Naturegirl on this one. Get a job in a bilingual school or a private school. I know someone who is teaching primary in a bilingual school here and she loves it.

[Justin Trullinger]

Nobody will argue that the elite, for profit sector will offer more financial rewards than teaching those who have less opportunities...

But personally, I am not interested in teaching in the private, bilingual, international school market.

Because I really want to do something that I value with my time. Not just where I work in a good environment, and earn a good paycheck. But actually something that I see as worthwhile. And while some are very happy on the international school scene (and good for them, to each her own) I would kind of feel like I was selling out. Why should I use my (not inconsiderable) skills to give more advantages to the elite who can afford these schools? Why not help someone who isn't going to inherit the family business? Though I have had 50 kids in one class. Hard, but maybe worth it. To me, anyhow. (And, god willing, to them!)

THis is a favorite rant of mine- I'll stop now. But it seemed to me that several posters have missed what I think (hope) the OP was getting at- A desire to be a part of something other than for-profit education for the elite. (The peace corps reference seemed to say this to me...)


All the best,
Justin

[naturegirl321]

[MELEE]

[lozwich]