Chile Forum

Hi guys,

I'm thinking of signing up with this organization: http://www.teachingchile.com to teach English in Chile. They offer places outside Santiago and handle all the paperwork for you. They arrange jobs in schools, colleges and adult education institutes. They also provide training, about three weeks' worth. For this, they charge a fee of USD 900.

I currently have no ESL qualifications and know little about Chile, although I speak reasonable Spanish and lived in Argentina for several months. I'm aware a fee of 900 bucks is quite hefty, but I've spoken to them on the phone and by email and they seem quite competent. I've not heard any horror stories on the internet, either.

Any opinions/advice from more seasoned ESL/Chile people?

Thanks,
chile_fan

Just wondering how you went, if you ended up going with them. I have looked at them too and they seem quite good, apart from the price tag.

I haven't really taught in Chile but I did teach in Japan. My instinct would be if they are charging you for the privelige of working for them, stay WELL CLEAR.

I have no experience with this company but I did the same thing through another company. They arranged a job for me in Sahuayo, Michoacan Mexico I taught English there in 2004. IIRC the price was about the same.

There are pro's and con's, but for a rookie ESL teacher it's a good gradient in that there are less worries about having a job already set up etc. they take care of it.

I discovered later it's sometimes better to just go first and do a job search when you're there. That's how a lot of experienced ESL teachers do it. That may not be a good idea for a new ESL teacher though.

Teaching ESL is a LOT of WORK! Lesson plans!!!! Even though I really liked it, (the kids were great) but I found teaching ESL is not for me. I had a great experience though.

Did you look at Daves ESL cafe yet? Lots of ESL info.

Download all the ESL lesson plans and games you can find on the Internet, even if the school has lesson plans for you to follow you'll need back up.

Thanks for that.
Lessons plans and the rest aren't too much of a stress for me, I'm a teacher here in Australia and for the past 5 years have looked after 30 seven year olds each day.
Am half tempted now to just go without a job and see what I find, a bit scary at the same rate!

you could also try talking to institutes, english schools, maybe list from embassy (guessing) directly - google and send cv, as well as other tefl links. or just head over if you could take a few months without pay. Each to his own but that's how I'd do it personally. There could be advantages to this company as far as comfort zone, can you talk to anyone who has recently through them? still seems like a lot of dosh for privilege of working for someone to me!

For some reason this post got lost.

$900 US is way too much. That is like more than a months pay for an English teacher in Chile. There is no real reason to pay that.

Come to Chile, find the schools, and apply.

You will almost 100% need a teaching certificate to get a job at any of the better schools with better pay.

I am kind of partial to Executive English Solution in Santiago myself (my brother owns it). http://www.ees.cl for more info.

Hi Guys,

Within the next six months I plan on moving to Chile. I have been teaching ESL in China for the past seven years. I would like to earn a TEFL certificate before continuing to teach, any recommendations for a TEFL school in Chile? Also what is the job situation for mature teachers and what I can expect for living expenses and income from teaching? My teaching experience ranges from young children to older adults, however, most of my experience is at the university level.

I would like to live and teach in the southern part of the country and prefer smaller cities, anything less than 1/2 million is fine. Basically I want to do the same thing I have done in China, learn the language, teach, get along with the local people, and enjoy life.

Thanks for the information.

Cheers,


Mark

From all my research I found out that the other company is not good to go through. Very restricted in work etc.
I am going to do a TESOL certificate in Santiago in Feb than look for work after that. I am actually going to go through Bridge Linguistics as they seem quite good.
Thanks for everyones advice.
Have looked at Executive English Solution and they look good for work so might also consult after i have my certificate.

i recently signed up for this forum and am glad to see some info regarding teachingchile.com.

I am actually in communication with someone i found on another forum who is currently in the program. She said that while yes there is the hefty price tag, she thought it was well worth it since she 1) speaks very little spanish, and 2) has very little teaching experience. The $900 fee does include your first month's rent, and she said that living with 20 or so other tefl teachers has helped tremendously in terms of basically learning how to be a teacher on the job, and also the people who run the program are very helpful as you adjust to living in Chile.

I am personally considering to come to Chile in February 2009 and give it a shot on my own, but it is nice to have options.

Would it be better to get TEFL certified in Santiago in February and then look for a job, or to have my TEFL certification before moving?

*edited*

Lunkey wrote:. . . . I am actually in communication with someone i found on another forum who is currently in the program. She said that while yes there is the hefty price tag, she thought it was well worth it since she . . . speaks very little english . . . .

Did you really intend to write "[E]nglish"? If so, your comment would underline my concern, based upon meeting a few teachers of English in Buenos Aires and Valparaíso and upon what I've heard and read elsewhere, that most teachers in Latin America of English lack anything approaching comprehensive knowledge or understanding of the language -- even if they're native speakers.