Job Discussion Forums

[fromtheashes]

Hello everyone,

My wife and I recently completed our TEFL certificates through Oxford Seminars. The classes were great, but one of the things that attracted us to Oxford Seminars was the guaranteed placement they offer at the completion of your certificate. The three countries we stated we would like to work in were Chile, Argentina, and Peru. Our "placement" officer said that most of the jobs in South America require you to apply in person. He gave us a massive list of schools that he said we are free to apply to. In other words he will not be helping very much with guaranteeing our placement.

I don't mind the idea of going down there to apply if I can line up some interviews before I go. We have already sold most of our stuff and are ready to take the necessary next steps, but I was hoping that all of you seasoned vets out there could offer some advice.

Is there a way to weed through the schools to find ones that might be a better fit?

If I travel down there without a visa already established, will that be an issue?

Are big cities more likely to be the place where we can both find work relatively close to one another?

Any other advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.

[naturegirl321]

COngrats on completing your TEFL certs. Basically, if you show up in person, you'll probably find a job within a week or two.

I would say ask to talk to the teachers and see what their opinions are of the school.

There's a CHile and Argentina forum as well, so epople there might be able to help, See my PM as well.

[krisrauc]

I basically had the same exact experience with Oxford Seminars. I remember specifically asking the instructor if the "guarantee" was for any job at all or a job in the country or region we wanted to go to. She told us that it was for the country of our choice, which was basically a lie.

My advisor did the same thing. She told me that he had contacts in China and Korea and then supplied me with an excel sheet full of schools in Argentina.

I originally wanted to find a job in Argentina, but have now broadened my search to all of South America. I am considering applying in person as well.

I know this is not much help to you, but I just wanted to share my dissatisfaction with the Oxford Seminar's Placement Service.

krisrauc

[krisrauc]

I basically had the same exact experience with Oxford Seminars. I remember specifically asking the instructor if the "guarantee" was for any job at all or a job in the country or region we wanted to go to. She told us that it was for the country of our choice, which was basically a lie.

My advisor did the same thing. She told me that he had contacts in China and Korea and then supplied me with an excel sheet full of schools in Argentina.

I originally wanted to find a job in Argentina, but have now broadened my search to all of South America. I am considering applying in person as well.

I know this is not much help to you, but I just wanted to share my dissatisfaction with the Oxford Seminar's Placement Service.

krisrauc