Korean Job Discussion Forums

[octaviapaz]

There was an outstanding conversation about the differences between teaching in South Korea and South America. I regret that I didn't save the links and remarks to this conversation. I am quite interested in teaching in South America, and I've heard nothing but good things about that. (I have a good handle on Spanish, and prefer their culture to that of South Korea. That's not to bash it here. But it's just not my cup o' tea).

I have also noticed that there are a lot of teaching opportunities on that continent and even in Europe. Many of you are old-timers here and wise to these sorts of things, and may tell me I'm just wrong. But it seems to me that there is a change in where one may be able to teaching English as a foreign language. I know that it's been possible for decades to teach in South America and Europe, but I'm wondering if these growing economies (like China) are having an affect upon the English teaching markets in other countries. That's to say, are business professionals in other countries wanting or feeling like they need to know English (i.e. because the Chinese, obviously, have become obsessed with learning English)?

Any thoughts on how you could make a decent living in South America would be greatly appreciated. I invite feedback on my last points, too!

If I have any typos or grammatical errors in this post, I apologize now. It's been a long, long day of teaching upper-level English. My brain is fried.

[ChilgokBlackHole]

You're going to barely make rent teaching in SA.

In Europe, you need to be certified.

Good luck.

[octaviapaz]

Thanks. The conversation about S. America entailed how much you could earn there. Apparently, you can do pretty well, but it takes time.

Interestingly, I found jobs openings in Europe that didn't require the certification. I mean, honestly, I'm just curious.

[wiganer]

I worked in Argentina and Peru. Both of these countries have a large EFL industry as there are schools everywhere. You will be working negro
but no-one will care about your legal status. I recommend South America if you have some savings and fancy a year or two. Nobody I know and I include established teachers - makes lots of money. You might attain a decent local standard of living but you will work your ass off for it. Forget how it is in Korea - if you are the type to baulk at 22 hours teaching then stay away from South America. The Korean set up is pretty unique - you won't get those benefits again if you decide to work in more desireable locales.

Europe for non-EU residents is a tough nut to crack. Again, depending on where you want to go - it is either easy or difficult to get a job. The massive difference between Europe and South America is that 95% of native speaker English teachers are illegal and nobody cares whereas in Europe they do care about your legal status (and most teachers are legal - from the UK and the Republic of Ireland). Again - I recommend that if you aren't an EU citizen - come with a lot of money and make it a working holiday for a year or so therefore if you come unstuck - you are not relying on your (low) wage to get out of trouble. If I were to work as an illegal teacher in either Europe or South America - I would do it in South America! Hope some of this helps.

[Leon]

I wanted to teach in Spain, but that whole EU thing got in my way. It's a shame.

[wiganer]

[air76]

I made decent money in Santiago, Chile, but only after I essentially started my own business and worked as an independent contractor. If you work for a school you'll most likely lose money or at the very best break even. There are some exceptions to this rule, but not many.

It took about 6 months before I had enough good clients lined up, but once I was set up I was making between US$2500-$3000/month, which is easily triple or quadruple what most of the teachers there were making...on average most people I met were making between $500 and $800. I got pretty lucky that I was able to use connections that I made through a couple of my students from the institute where I worked for 5 months into a couple pretty big accounts. In theory you could do the same thing without contacts if you really want to hit the pavement running and bust your butt to get your own business clients, but this would be difficult as the people who would have the authority to hire you to teach group classes (you MUST do group classes if you want to make decent money) are going to be high up and not very accessible.

Anyhow, we left after a year of working like this, but if we'd stayed, my guess is that the next year would have been a really great year financially...but remember that business falls off greatly in the summer, and that when you work as an independent contractor you don't get paid anything when you take vacation or a day off.

Do not go to Chile, however, and expect to make this kind of money....I can vouch for the fact that it is possible, but my situation was a HUGE out lier. I don't think that I met one other person making over $1000/month there teaching in all the time we lived there.

The bottom line is that if you want to just rock up, apply, and get a decent paying job....then you will not make good money in South America, you may not even make enough money to pay your bills (unless you live a very basic lifestyle)....but if you're willing to do whatever it takes to live there, then there is plenty of money in the ESL industry to take advantage of....but you'll never get it working for someone else.

[NYC_Gal]

I'd like to work in Europe, and I'll be married to an EU citizen this year. Does that make it easier?

[livinginkorea]

[iwillteachyouenglish]

I've only stayed in Argentina and Peru but both are wonderful places. There is so much to see and do. Of the two, I would heavily favor Peru. The people there are really amazing, both in urban and rural areas.

Save up some money and go there, even if you only make enough to barely stay afloat it will be worth it and with your little bit of savings you can still do a lot of things.

[NYC_Gal]

I gather all I need to do is pay a few grand for a work visa. Am I mistaken?

[Ukon]

There is always the middle east

[wiganer]

[NYC_Gal]

Thanks for the info! It's really helpful