Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wanderingsalsero]

Does anybody here know anything about the teaching opportunity in Colombia or Chile?

I read some things about Chile that sounded pretty good....from a standpoint of lifestyle.

Regards,
Art

[PCRamplified]

I don't know anything about teaching in Chile, but I did live in Santiago for awhile.

I would love to go back sometime, but not for a teacher's salary. I don't think that most schools have very good English programs, and English isn't widely spoken (at least in my experience, but it could just be that I never tried speaking English to anyone). You might find it difficult, especially at first, if you don't at least speak get-along Spanish. Even if you do speak Spanish, Chilean Spanish can be a different beast. Chileans tend to be a bit shy at first, so it might take awhile to make friends, but once you get to know them they are pretty friendly. There is an expat community, but I don't know much about that either. I'd be happy to talk to you more about it or answer more questions if you wanna send me a pm.

[Hotwire]

From what I've read and heard, you can get teachinn jobs.

You wont be overworked and will probably have a fun time but you willpay your own air fares and will earn enough to merely subsist at local wage levels.

Truly to be thought of as a working holiday. A year in S. America where you don't make any money but you don't dig into your savings or get in debt to be there for the year either.

Were I in my early twenties I'd definitely give it a shot.

[oldtactics]

I lived in Nicaragua & Columbia for 6 months when I was 18. Some day, I'm planning on returning for an extended period of time.

There are lots of teaching jobs, but the pay is low. Enough to survive on in-country but you won't be saving any money. Amazing place to go for someone who is out of debt and looking for an adventure - I loved my time there and I'm looking forward to going back.

[Stones1962]

Oldtactics, if you lived in Colombia you should know it's not spelled Columbia!

I lived in Bogota off and on for about 4 years and Colombia is a wonderful place. Despite the all the problems of 'la violencia', the people are wonderful. And las Colombianas are some of the most beautiful women in the world; beautiful, loving, passionate and friendly.

I wasn't teaching English when I was there but I do remember some ESL schools. You might want to try some of the unis there.

[NYC_Gal]

I went to Columbia uni and I still spell it Colombia half of the time

[wanderingsalsero]

I'm still not decided what to do although I've really just about decided I've had my fill of working in the 'sticks' where I am....even though it is better money than I was making anywhere else. I"m at the point now where I've got some internet skills and I actually just want a job because it's more convenient to stay here than go through the hassle of moving. And also because I like to salsa dance and the bigger cities in Korea have good salsa clubs.

But where I am has none. The nearest one is Daegu and it takes almost as long to get to the train station (Waegwan) as it does to get there from there to Daegu.

It'll come as a surprise to you youngsters I'm sure but I'm actually 66. I just don't look it and I don't act 'old' (whatever that's supposed to mean nowadays). I had a hell of a time getting an agency to even try to help me when I came over here in June 07 but the one that did try found my first job....a high school gig near Jingeon, Gyeonggi-do.

I was there 1.5 years and then they decided they didn't need a foreign teacher anymore. Then my agency actually found me a job but meanwhile I'd located on in a middle school in Suwon on my onw.

I was there a year and then they were gonna screw me on my renewal pay. They were ready and willing to re-sign me. But I questioned their computations of the pay (i.e....re: my masters, ed. degree, 2 years in GEPIK, etc.,). Then they got all nasty and vindictive on me and used as the excuse to hire me that Dain Bae said I was too old and they never should have hired me in the first place.

I however will always remain convinced that they could have kept me if they'd really wanted to. I think the only reason they didn't was because they realized it was a 'buyers market' and they could get somebody younger and cheaper and who'd be more gullible.

Anyway..........my agency got me this job I've got now. As I say, the money's great but it's just too boring living here. So that's why I'm evaluating trying to get a uni gig or possibly going to Barranquilla, Colombia (I almost married a girl from there and know a little about it) or Chile.

Chile I just read about purely by chance on Daves but overall it sounded pretty good.

If I go down there I'm actually pretty confident I could find work. I've got a masters in international business, I present a good appearance and I interview well. So.........

I've still got time to explore opportunities here. I like Korea well enough. I'm just tired of the friggin' 'sticks' and not having anything to do in the evening.

If anybody has any ideas about anything I should look at, don't hesitate to PM me.

Best regards,
Art
the WanderingSalsero
(Google me)

[oldtactics]

[interestedinhanguk]

I bet the folks over here on these forums could help you. The Colombia and Chile forums

Colombia- http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewforum.php?f=55

Chile- http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewforum.php?f=49