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[kcl060]

I'd like to know more about how to find a job teaching English in Latin America or Spain.  I have check out Dave's ESL cafe already.  I heard that to teach in Costa Rica, it's best to go there to apply for the job in person first, is that true?  What if I cannot apply in person because I am in another country, what are my other options?  Can I actually earn a decent salary?  Will it help me at all that I am a fluent Spanish speaker?  How long is the usual commitment (1 year, 2 years, 6 months, etc)?  Which schools usually has the best benefits?  What specific things should I look for when looking into what the school offers with respect to housing, benefits,etc to avoid getting taken advantage of?

[notaprof]

Dear KCL1060,

Do you have any training in teaching English as a foreign or second language?  There is quite a variety in the level of jobs in this field.  To earn a decent salary would require some training in the field of TEFL or TESL.  Even with that, it is pretty challenging to get such jobs either in the US or overseas with any permanency or benefits.  However if you are looking for something to cover some of your expenses as you travel the world then you can typically patch together some opportunities to do so in many places around the world.

I can't speak to every area of the world and I have least experience with South or Central America but I have worked with many who have taught English overseas and I will share what I do know.  Most of those I know who have taught English abroad have done so in Asia (Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand & China most often) where it appears there is the highest demand for English teaching and a sufficient population with the means to pay for classes.  Other recent grads have taught in Eastern Europe (Romania,Czech Republic, Bulgaria) and a few in Italy and Turkey but I am sure there are opportunities in other places as well.  Most organized schools require at least an undergraduate degree however it doesn't necessarily need to be in English.  Some schools may be more inclined to hire you if you have completed a certificate program in TEFL or TESL.  There are many of these programs scattered around the world and they often help with placement once you finish their 3-6 month certification course which you pay for.  Some of these certificate programs also help you navigate any immigration paperwork so you are legal to work in their particular location.

Probably one of the best short term ways of making a decent living overseas while applying from the US is to apply for one of the Fulbrights that are teaching related or the JET program for Japan.  I know that Venezuela is one Latin American location where several of our students have obtained teaching Fulbrights.  The commitment on a Fulbright is typically one year but some have extended their time to 18 months.   I believe the JET commitment is 2 years.  Both a Fulbright and JET are highly competitive. 

Other than the options listed above, it is fairly difficult to line up a job from the US, but you can often find things once you go there yourself.  One resource that I like for ideas about teaching, volunteering or working overseas is a publication called Transitions Abroad.  They have bimonthly issues devoted to one of those areas and have listings of the TEFL certificate programs I mentioned.  Just google "Transitions Abroad" to find their resourceful web site.  Then you have to do the research, contact prospective TEFL programs, ask for the email of people who have done the program and contact them to find out the good and the bad for each place.  Your career services office or sometimes the study abroad office at your campus may have other helpful resources.

Good luck.

[drdirt55]

A different approach might be to search for US companies or other multi-national companies who are looking for people to teach their local employees English.  You might also try contacting the US Embassy in the country you are interested and ask them for assistance in pointing you in the right direction.