Job Discussion Forums

danielbrew · Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 4

I've recently aquired a CELTA certificate and am hoping to find work in Central/South America. I'm looking for some general hints and tips if anyone can help.

I dont have a university degree which, from the research I have done seems like it could be a problem in some countries (although working 'under the table' doesn't particularly bother me as long as its not long term). Also, I have limited experience in the classroom having just completed a 6 week contract at a UK summer school.

Ideally I would like to find work before leaving the UK as funds are limited to say the least! How likely is this (opinions seem to vary)?

I have a partner that would like to come with me (she is not a teacher but will almost certainly need to work if we want to sustain anything like a half decent lifestyle). Is this likely to cause many complications?

Are there any obvious scams or organisations to watch out for (agencies and organisations requesting money to find me a job I understand are probably not a good idea!!)? What about people like Teaching Chile, TEFL Job Placement etc (these appear to be the more professional LOOKING organisations but I'm still not sure about parting with the sort of money they are talking about)?

I am already registered on the usual websites (this one, tefl.com, tefl-jobs.co.uk, eslbase etc etc) and have applied for a few jobs over the last month via these websites and by email but have so far had no luck.

Basically, any info that would help speed up the process of finding work would be appreciated.

Thanks

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

The best thing you can do is (as has often been said) to save your money, choose a country/city, then hit the ground with your resume. Develop your social life, ask around and you'll get a feel for the good places to work and where you could work. Being a native speaker with a CELTA is good for down here. Not having a degree isn't really a big deal.

A big requirement for this approach is that you speak Spanish. If you don't though, don't worry! I live in Bogota for example and the professional types here generally speak English.

In Colombia, the best jobs tend to be with universities and private high schools. Look at these first. International House in Bogota is also always hiring (mixed reviews on them, but if you do your research and ask around first you won't be surprised).

Good luck and come soon!

danielbrew · Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks Spanglish thats useful.

As you mention, International House has been a fairly good resource for me, not least as they are able to offer interviews in the UK so thanks for mentioning that.

Any other organisations that are similar I may not have heard of or have overlooked?

Thanks

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

There's always Berlitz.

Atlan Training · Joined: 02 Apr 2009 Posts: 76 Location: Spain

You don't need a university degree to work in private language centers, some of which are very good. That you have a CELTA is good. It increases your employability a lot. You might even find university employment with the CELTA.

I disagree with naturegirl. The CELTA and Berlitz are not compatible. It's a total waste of the money and effort you put into doing the CELTA, learning about cutting edge communicative language learning methodologies, to then work for Berlitz ( which pays shit by the way ), where you will be "retrained" to do something that research clearly shows to be ineffective.

Contact Southern Cross in Ecuador!

Good luck!

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 2:07 pm Post subject:

You would have no problem finding work in Mexico with a CELTA and no degree.

Berlitz is also a waste of time. Look for a decent language school (let me know when you find one Razz

), teach business classes or look for work teaching kids or in a uni.

Bueno suerte Exclamation

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I will say this about Berlitz. I'm met a couple people who have worked there for 5, 7, 10 years. And were making 3K usd a month, and that was in china.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 2:49 am Post subject:

danielbrew · Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 4

what about a job for my girlfriend? Any idea how easy/difficult that will be? She's not sure about teaching so what about working in a bar/restaurant or even an office?

Obviously her level of spanish will be a big factor, but assuming a pre-int+ level of spanish, would bar/restaurant work be a possibility?

Is that type of work sensible for a non native female in latin america (she is well capable of looking after herself but even so...)?

thanks

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:25 pm Post subject:

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Oh, call centres might be an option. They pay about 2 to 3 usd an hour.

just_a_mirage · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 169 Location: ecuador

For your girlfriend, her visa may make a difference. If you get a teaching job, you may be able to get work without a problem, if you are sponsored, but since you are not married, you cant legally claim her as a dependent. If she comes in on a tourist visa, that will end in 90 days. If she comes in on the newer six-month visa, she will need to find someone to sponsor her when the visa is up...and that is harder to do if you are working in the service industry, or working for youself.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Peru gives 183 days for a tourist visa. And you simply leave and come back and they give you another 183. I KNOW peop�le who have been doing this for three years

hughesie · Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 63

I am going to give you some fatherly advice - its needed - the others on the forum are trying to be nice but what is needed is someone to tell you that your plans are a bag of nails - someone has to do it and I am afraid it of going to be me.

First of all - no degree - and little teaching experience - can I just advise to put off teaching abroad and go and get yourself a degree? It really is a good idea and these days a BA (Hons) and CELTA is no big deal to offer an employer these days. Teaching English is a brilliant job for a young feller who likes adventure so just take three years out and get a TEFL/Language studies degree - you won't regret it.

Secondly: You are British! You are up against plenty of American graduates and thats the accent of choice in that part of the world (with probably the exception of Argentina) I am British and have lost out to jobs from lesser qualified Americans based on accent alone - the best places for British teachers to get work is (in my opinion) Eastern Europe and Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore, The Gulf states and Saudi Arabia, the EU and Japan - the rest of the world wants American English.

You may be able to get work at language mills - it will be for the most part illegal as you will need a degree to get a visa in most if not all countries in South America. And let me tell you man - they will work you like a dog for little money - you'll survive on it but you will be going home with nothing in the bank - that might be allright but its no fun either! Most of these crappy language mills will having you running around the city like a fool doing corporates and having to make and prepare your own lesson plans on your own coin. Its harder than it looks and it's going to drain you. I would never work for them - thankfully - with having a degree - I don't have to.

Your girlfriend - is she nice looking? blonde and blue eyes? Might get some work modelling or in some PR capacity but I wouldn't depend on it - if your girl isn't a looker then I would forget it - South America is a macho, patriachal society where a woman does have a place - but she had better be nice looking, not be fat and if she does have an opinion she had better keep it to her damn self. The fact that your girl can't speak Spanish and she will be up against some of the finest looking women on the planet looking for jobs in bars and cafes who can speak Spanish doesn't bode to well - women who would be thought of as top of the drawer in the UK are working in bars and cafes in every country in South America on crap money - your girl competing against them with having no Spanish language ability is a non starter.

You also say funds are limited - then basically don't do it! If we have to warn Americans about not coming to the EU to work illegally on little funds then it would be suicide for you to do the same - South America is not Europe - in retrospect - your idea is a bad one.

My advice - get a degree so you can apply for the better jobs because the better employers at the moment won't touch you. If you don't want to get a degree then save some more money - try and save ten grand (UK) and make it a long holiday - because teaching around some big, horrible dangerous city like Bogota, Lima or Mexico City is not what you are after I don't think. Revise your plans - one of them is to get more savings tucked away and think about the trip in two years from now.