Job Discussion Forums

[sarahg]

Hi all,

I'll be graduating in January and want to teach abroad as a way of traveling an experiencing expat life for at least a couple of years. I won't have any debt but I also won't have much money saved up, so showing up in a country with no guarantee of a job isn't ideal. I will have a BS in psychology and a decent amount of experience with kids (I've worked in Bible schools, nurseries, and do a lot of volunteering with special needs children). I also have some experience teaching English to middle schoolers in Costa Rica that I may or may not be able to put on a resume (depending on whether the employer will want to check references).**

I'm mainly interested in Europe and Central/South America. (Nothing against Asia, I'd love to travel there but don't want to commit to living there for a year.) What I'm considering right now is the Language Assistant programs offered in Spain and France through the governments -- it would enable me to live in France or Spain for 7-9 months despite my US passport, I'd have a job lined up, I wouldn't need to spend the money on a certification first, and at least in France these programs can open doors to a university position. However, the work is part time so the pay is low (most are able to work under the table as a tutor or babysitter but this isn't guaranteed), and you don't get to choose where you go (so I could wind up in a rural area with no public transport and few other people my age).

1. Any experience with these programs (sponsored by the French and Spanish governments), or anyone know of similar ones that offer positions in South America? And any recommendations for France vs Spain? (Not necessarily the programs -- the countries in general as well.)

2. Any suggestions for alternate starting points for someone with no certificate (it's not that I'm not open to getting one, it's just that a CELTA would basically consume my life savings) and limited savings? It would be nice to have a job that pays a little better so that I can save some travel money, but I don't expect it without a certificate or experience.

3. As far as moving on, would I be able to get a job in Chile, Argentina, Central America, or Eastern Europe with teaching experience in Europe, or would I need to invest in a CELTA or similar course? (Again, I'd be happy to take whatever certification course would help me, except that a classroom course could cost me 2 months salary on a teaching assistant pay rate, so it might not be possible financially.)

4. Any other advice?

**The story with Costa Rica, which has nothing to do with this post really but I'm posting as a warning to other newbies who might be considering teaching on a volunteer basis, is that I was being taken advantage of by the onsite supervisors as free labor for their turtle conservation project (I had signed up only to teach) upon threat of being kicked out without a refund. When I complained to the organization's central management I was kicked out of the volunteer housing and teaching project by the local supervisors. I don't think I did anything wrong, but obviously I don't want potential employers calling these people. If anyone wants the organization's name (it was a local NGO and there were also some well-known voluntourism organizations sending their customers there) or the full story (there were many other issues as well) feel free to PM me. [/i]

[spiral78]

I can answer part of your question: yes, even with some experience, to compete successfully in the Central/Eastern European market, you would need a decent certification. It's simply because that's what 95% of the newbies on the job market have, and anything less puts you at a significant disadvantage.

[naturegirl321]

teaching won-t offer you a typical expat life (with house, maids, flights, drivers paid for and a huge salary) But it is ok.

I-d put all your experience on your CV, not everyone checks references.

Latin America is good to start in. Mexico is straightforward for visas. Places like Peru are easy to work illegally. And ecuador is pretty hard witht he new crack downs on visas.

France and Spain sounds good. You are only eligible for a short period, so I say, go for that. YOu could always line up private tutoring to help you foot the bill.

1. try posting on the individual forums for France and Spain.

2. talk to teachers, read up on it in the library.

3. Yep, you shoudl. You might have to start at the bottom again though as some peopel prefer that you have in country experience.

[JZer]

[JZer]

[spiral78]

France and Spain sounds good. You are only eligible for a short period, so I say, go for that. YOu could always line up private tutoring to help you foot the bill.

1. try posting on the individual forums for France and Spain.

Naturegirl, I'm not sure where you're going with this. You know very well that it takes time to build up private students. It's unlikely to help foot any actual bills - may provide a bit of extra spending money, but no more.

[Prof.Gringo]

Easy places: Mexico & Peru.

Mexico has jobs and will give you a taste of a foreign country and lifestyle without being too much to handle. It's easy to adapt to life in Mexico and picking up Spanish isn't too hard. It's also very useful to learn Spanish.

There are jobs in language institutes for new teachers and many of them have in-house training programs. They prefer that you have a TEFL, a degree is optional. Some will help with a FM-3 (work visa) some don't. Working under the table is very common place in Mexico. Best bet for jobs is be in Mexico, in a target city looking for work. Few employers recruit by phone or email.

Pay in Mexico working at a language school is enough to get by on if you live a frugal lifestyle. Expect about $8,000 pesos per month, for full-time. You might get a little more, up to $10,000 per month by working more hours or giving some private classes on the side. Note the work week in Mexico is six days per week and that goes for language schools as well. Saturday is usually a half-day.

Mexicans tend to be nice people and are usually welcoming to foreigners. Getting to really know people takes time, and you need to be willing to adapt somewhat to the local culture and customs that can and do vary widely throughout Mexico (A small town in Chiapas is very different from Mexico City).

Mexico is a great gateway to Latin America. Six months spent teaching, learning Spanish and living abroad will look great on your resume and prepare you for your next great adventure. Or you might just decide to stay

[naturegirl321]

Peru is easy, visa wise, people are here illegally for years. HOwever, if you want to earn money, you will be worked like a dog. I've never worked so hard and been treated so poorly, hence why I want to leave