Job Discussion Forums

AlwaysExploring · Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Posts: 16

Hey, everyone. I just got back to the U.S. after a 4 month trip to Chile. I am going to be studying in Santiago, Chile for two years starting in March and I was wondering if anyone knew of a school that would be willing to hire a teacher part-time. I do not have a CELTA or any TEFL certification, but I have taught Spanish in the U.S. Does anyone know of a place in Santiago where I could get certified and later teach? It would not all have to be done in the same place. What do you suggest?

Also, I am trying to decide whether I should get the student visa or the temporary resident's visa. I want to study and work. Any opinions?

Thanks for everything.

mike30 · Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 67 Location: Santiago, Chile

If you can get a student visa to be legal in the country then you should definitely just get the student visa and work independently finding your own classes.....working at a school part-time will be a full-time waste of your time. You'd be much better off teaching a couple private lessons a day than messing with a school, you'll make double the money with half the headaches.

Don't worry, you won't "get caught"

teaching is a delight · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 4

I have been in Chile for awhile and know of one person that was caught teaching illegally. It is true that you can make more privately but these people cancel a great deal and if you get caught, they could also be in trouble for hiring illegally.

ghostdog · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 2:38 pm Post subject:

And if you work for an "institute", as they call language schools down here, and you have corporate clients, which is most of the market, they will also cancel with alarming frequency and you still won't get paid. At least with private students, you're more likely to earn a decent wage and can set your own hours and conditions.

I concur with Mike30. Get your student visa and look to do a couple of privates on the side. If you're studying at a university, you're already in a potential market. Nobody is looking to bust someone doing private lessons so it's not really something to worry about. You're much more likely to get used and abused working as a part-timer for a language school. (Yes, they'll probably pay you but it won't be worth the effort.) "Double the money and half the headaches"...spot on, especially if you're not full-time.

Ai · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 154 Location: Chile

teaching is a delight · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 4

I have no idea how he got caught. I do know there are inspectors out there. Perhaps someone mentioned he was working to the wrong person.... Never got to speak with him. He left Chile rapidly.

Ai · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 154 Location: Chile

Nearly every English teacher I know in Chile does privates. It's really difficult to get by on a institute salary alone. I don't know anyone who has been caught and before this thread I'd never heard of it happening. I guess it it possible but I don't think it's very probable. If you're worried about getting caught you could only do privates for people you know and friends of friends. You should be safe that way.