Job Discussion Forums

Katm · Joined: 30 Jul 2009 Posts: 16

I'm wanting to go to Quito to teach when I graduate in a years time but am unsure how to go about finding a job. I'll have a degree and TEFL qualification and experience working with children. I originally signed up with a placement service but they've since stopped working in Quito so I'm a bit stuck. Obviously international schools aren't an option for me as I'm not a qualified teacher yet they seem to be the only schools that have websites and contact information! Just wondering how people got their first teaching jobs? I don't really just want to turn up and try my luck, I'd much rather sort out something from home if at all possible.

Twonny06 · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:38 am Post subject:

I scheduled interviews with schools in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica before leaving the US. I hadn't landed a job before I left nor had I found a place to stay, but I knew the likely hood of finding a job in Central America, so I packed my bags and headed straight for Guatemala City. There I landed my first job with in two days of being in the city. I didn't even consider the other interviews that I had scheduled for other countries. I knew my market and simply steppped out on faith. You don't even need to schedule interviews before leaving the US. All you need to do is just go and you will more than likely have several different options to choose from.

Katm · Joined: 30 Jul 2009 Posts: 16

Thanks for the advice. I'm English so just flying out would be very expensive. My problem is how to find schools to get interviews with. The only schools that seem to be on the internet are the really good ones who only want actual teachers and there seems to be a lack of South American jobs on most sites - they all seem to be for Asia. How did you set up interviews?

spanglish · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 742 Location: working on that

Unfortunately that's just how it is. Only the international schools that want 'real teachers' will talk to you via internet. You either need to have good friends or family here to help you or come over on your own. The best strategy is to save up your money in England, then come and have a look around.