Latin America

[brian2991x]

Question: does anyone have any knowledge about teaching English in Latin American countries? Getting jobs in Asia sounds relatively easy and safe; I was wondering if the same could be said about South America. I was thinking specifically about the southern cone areas, like Argentina, Chile or maybe Peru, but that's just off the top of my head

Comments

[reve119]

I'm not sure if this applies to all Latin American countries, but at least a few of them won't hire from abroad. You have to already be in the country.

Salary is much, much lower than Asia. I'm not sure what the living wage is in those countries, though.

[carerica]

Agreed, you have to go to the country to be hired. You also need to go in February which is when most teachers are hired or the last week of July for the 2nd semester.

I've taught in Chile and in Argentina. If you want to go to Buenos Aires be prepared to work lots because the pay isn't that great and rents are high in comparison. The pay is much higher in Chile, the rents are about the same, but the food is more expensive.

Don't expect to save up money while you're there; in fact you should go with a pretty good cushion to tide you over while you look. It's a hard market right now because companies are cutting back expenses due to economic belt tightening so you might not find full time work.

[jeffthelion]

This group may be of some help to you, bud! I'll even post the link this time!:

http://community.livejournal.com/tefl/profile

[karasumaa]

If you're willing to consider Mexico, the Berlitz centers in the southeast will help you out with all the proper legal procedures to get your work permit; the salary is hourly, but it's usually enough to live comfortably on your own and do some traveling within Mexico and Central America, since life isn't really expensive around here.

[misswrite]

I spent three years in Asia (one year Japan, two years Vietnam) and nine months in Colombia.

There are some decent-paying university jobs in Latin America (but you'd need to have the right experience/qualifications). Even then, salaries don't really compare much to Asia. Things move much slower in Latin America - so even if you're desirable for a position, as soon as there's a little bureaucratic problem getting a visa or something, the employer might kind of forget about you. It's really a much bigger headache in Latin America, practically speaking. But lifestyle/language/people are FANTASTIC. It can definitely be done, but you can't save the way you can in Asia. You need a passion for the people/place to make up for the things you'd get easier in Asia (money, nice apartments, people to take care of red tape for you, people to help with house cleaning/childcare, etc., great food...)

[carerica]

Don't forget that hired help is extremely cheap in South America.. most of the middle class has a nana to cook, clean, and help take care of kids. Food in Perú and Argentina is AMAZING.

[misswrite]

Yeah, hired help can be affordable in Latin America too. Food is good pretty much everywhere, in my opinion :), but I preferred it in Vietnam and Japan - healthier and more veggie options. Haven't been to Argentina though. Makes me think of steaks and chimichurri.