Job Discussion Forums

[Hadit]

Please link the thread if this has been discussed, but I am wondering what time some common job working hours are in Latin America.

I suspect universities are all during the day while language schools are too. But I have heard there are split shifts too.

I am actually wondering if there is any work only 4 p.m. or later anywhere.

[Justin Trullinger]

The thing is, most language schools, and also university programs, teach adults. (Most EFLers don't become university professors, but teach in sort of an adjunct capacity in English as a foreign language programs, which are open to the general public.) This means that most of your students (working adults) can take classes before work (early mornings) or after work (late afternoons or into the evening.)

So split shifts are the norm. Teachers I know without split shifts are usually in high schools or elementary schools- early morning to mid-afternoon.

From 4:00 pm on? Some language institutes take on part timers at need for afternoon and evening shiifts. As a main job, though, in countries I know you won't find anything you can live on that's all after 4.

Best,
Justin

[Hadit]

Thanks for answering my question, Justin. I didn't know most work was adults in LA.

[Hadit]

I was wondering about weekend work in relation to Latin America. Also, does private teaching offer an alternate salary to language schools?

[Justin Trullinger]

Regarding weekend work- This is really an employer specific question. In Ecuador, where I spent a lot of time, some jobs include Saturdays, some don't. Probably not working weekends is the most common, but then occasional Saturdays may come up. THese may be paid extra by some employers, or another day off given.

In elementary and high schools, a few Saturdays a year (1-4) for special events and activities would be common, and usually not paid extra. (Though these jobs are often well paid.)

I rarely worked Saturdays, and my partner hardly ever did. For both of us, they were optional, and paid extra.

Probably most teachers don't work Saturdays, and I've never heard of Sunday work.

REgarding private teaching- takes a long time to build up a client list, and unless you have the means to get a visa independently (not through a school) you won't have too much time to dedicate to it. I've known a very few people who did well at private classes, but they were mostly married to locals. Rates are not such an awful lot higher than academies, so...personally I wouldn't think of this as a big income stream. Can be a nice "extra."


Best,

Justin

[just_a_mirage]

Here in Guayaquil, as many foreign teachers work in both high schools and english academies, weekend work is very common. I work both Saturday and Sunday , but almost all of the academies here that I know require Saturday work, as that is when many working adults and kids in school have the time to take classes.

[naturegirl321]

[TeresaLopez]

I have been living off privates for a while. I live in Mexico City, fairly close to the down area (20 minutes by bus) and close to the subway as well. This makes a HUGE difference, time wise. And though I am pretty much at the top of the scale for private classes, and only work M-Th, around 20 hours, it does wear on you after a while. I didn't have too much trouble getting as many classes as I wanted, it took me about 3 months, but I have also gotten several referrals from former students. I also got a couple of private classes through an agency, and they pay close to what I make on my own, that can be a good way to start.
But if you don't live close to your classes, it can be a nightmare, I have one that is an hour away, that I only continue because I became good friends with my student, but he really doesn't even need classes anymore, so that might come to an end at some point. It just depends on how much all the travel gets to you.