[Dash Global]

(10-01-2011 02:15 PM)rinestone Wrote:  

for the guy who wrote about teaching in ecuador, while i wouldn't tell you to forget about getting certified, it is NOT at all a requirement in colombia and i assume not in ecuador as well. i don't have one, and neither do a couple of friends i have who teach english here.

not knowing spanish (well) is irrelevant. they look for native english speakers because the classes are about immersion. not necessary at all.

the way i've heard certification ranked is CELTA, TEFL, and TKT, etc..

as someone else said, it all depends on your motivation. i.e., are you just hunting down a visa, looking to be good, etc..

Im struggling with the decision to get a CELTA or not for when I come to Colombia in 2012.

If I can land a job to my liking making decent money without blowing 2k on a CELTA (which I know I can) than id prefer not to. But I know it will be alot easier and look alot better on my CV with a CELTA....

[rinestone]

honestly, i'd skip the CELTA and go for an onine TEFLor get nothing at all. not hard to find a gig without any certification. what is your priority? you got some time

[Dash Global]

Update

I think I saw this on another thread on here, but in case not this is a good site for finding a room, when you arrive in Colombia.

http://www.compartoapto.com

[Tully Mars]

Do it right, get certified with a BA in education to teach science, math, history or english at a 4 year university in the states, then hit up the international school circuit. English as a foreign language is a burnout job, before you know it you will be a 40-50 year old man in the middle east trying to bank coin for your retirement living in a compound. Do it right now, and set yourself up for living and traveling the world on a western salary, with full western benefits, and 3 months off every summer to check out new locales. Good luck!

[Dash Global]

(10-03-2011 08:17 AM)Tully Mars Wrote:  

Do it right, get certified with a BA in education to teach science, math, history or english at a 4 year university in the states, then hit up the international school circuit. English as a foreign language is a burnout job, before you know it you will be a 40-50 year old man in the middle east trying to bank coin for your retirement living in a compound. Do it right now, and set yourself up for living and traveling the world on a western salary, with full western benefits, and 3 months off every summer to check out new locales. Good luck!

Most people already have graduate college before they realize they wanna travel. Going back and getting a teaching degree wont be worth it if you just wanna teach for 1-3 years then return back to the states and get a real job.

But DAMN i wish I had got a teaching degree instead of this fuggin business degree. I would be living the life in Colombia and Brazil!

Still might go back and get a teaching degree. Cant beat 3 months off a year.....

[KingofScotland]

I just want to do teaching English as it's an easy short term job to get that I don't have to commit much to, don't have to spend years studying and working hard just to get qualified etc. Get a basic TEFL and off I go.

[tomtud]

(10-03-2011 01:22 PM)KingofScotland Wrote:  

I just want to do teaching English as it's an easy short term job to get that I don't have to commit much to, don't have to spend years studying and working hard just to get qualified etc. Get a basic TEFL and off I go.

You can definitly go that route..... you might have to go to a country like south korea etc, to get the work experience for a year or two, then make your way to Colombia etc, and find decent positions. Of course, if you can find a school that is reputable and pays decent, then go for it. I am in the middle east at the moment, and boy its not easy..... But, once I pay my dues, I am on my way in that neck of the woods.

[Dash Global]

(10-06-2011 10:28 AM)tomtud Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 01:22 PM)KingofScotland Wrote:  

I just want to do teaching English as it's an easy short term job to get that I don't have to commit much to, don't have to spend years studying and working hard just to get qualified etc. Get a basic TEFL and off I go.

You can definitly go that route..... you might have to go to a country like south korea etc, to get the work experience for a year or two, then make your way to Colombia etc, and find decent positions. Of course, if you can find a school that is reputable and pays decent, then go for it. I am in the middle east at the moment, and boy its not easy..... But, once I pay my dues, I am on my way in that neck of the woods.

I wouldnt recommend going to South Korea unless you are wanting to save money. If money is no concern go straight to Colombia.

[KingofScotland]

Getting some money saved to pay off debts and build a travel fund is a bit of motivation for choosing Korea.

[Dash Global]

Damn im STRUGGLING with whether or not to get the CELTA.

Kind of want to do the ALL Inclusive CELTA course in Ecuador. Shit is pricey though $2,300. Not sure if its worth it with me only doing ESL in Colombia for 6 months - year.

[redneckpunk]

(11-12-2011 06:24 AM)Dash Global Wrote:  

Damn im STRUGGLING with whether or not to get the CELTA.

Kind of want to do the ALL Inclusive CELTA course in Ecuador. Shit is pricey though $2,300. Not sure if its worth it with me only doing ESL in Colombia for 6 months - year.

dude as i've told you numerous times, CELTA will not help you more than TEFL. You can get a TEFL in 1 month for $1,000 to $1,500.

If anyone can show me a job post that requires CELTA but refuses TEFL or TESOL cert then i'll change me tune.

I was in the TESL game for years and can't ever remember seeing a job much less multiple jobs requiring CELTA or prefering CELTA.

maybe 10 years ago it was an advantage but not anymore.

[Dash Global]

(11-12-2011 07:47 AM)redneckpunk Wrote:  

(11-12-2011 06:24 AM)Dash Global Wrote:  

Damn im STRUGGLING with whether or not to get the CELTA.

Kind of want to do the ALL Inclusive CELTA course in Ecuador. Shit is pricey though $2,300. Not sure if its worth it with me only doing ESL in Colombia for 6 months - year.

dude as i've told you numerous times, CELTA will not help you more than TEFL. You can get a TEFL in 1 month for $1,000 to $1,500.

If anyone can show me a job post that requires CELTA but refuses TEFL or TESOL cert then i'll change me tune.

I was in the TESL game for years and can't ever remember seeing a job much less multiple jobs requiring CELTA or prefering CELTA.

maybe 10 years ago it was an advantage but not anymore.

CELTA's carry the most weight in Colombia from everything I have gathered and is the "preferred" cert to have.

I doubt ill be able to get a Colegio / Bi-lingual school job without one.

Most of the people working at the British House or IH in Bogota have CELTA's.

Would be a no brainer if I was gonna be in Colombia for a significant time. 6 months - year just aint worth it imo

[redneckpunk]

That's bc IH Bogota runs a CELTA course, so it was be a cute way to say we prefer/only hire CELTA oh by the way we can certify you in CELTA too.

I think it is cheaper there than $2,300

Should be around $1700 or so

[Dash Global]

I dont think the IH one is all inclusive food and accommodation. If it is that 1700 would be pretty good.

Seems like the Ecuador one is the best "deal"

[freshcream]

Could anyone tell me if I will get a job in Colombia?
I have a masters degree in teaching, english and history. Will also be taking spanish. I am not a native speaker, but most people assume I am native, as I've lived in England.

[King Solomon]

Given my deep interest in teaching english in Colombia, hopefully long-term

Can anyone give me an idea of why people burn out of it so quickly?

Is there anything a guy can do before he goes, or once he gets there, to improve his longevity and success in this endeavour?

[tomtud]

King, check out http://www.daveseslcafe.com. Go to the teacher forums and search. Form speaking to those who did it, the problem with many are shady practices by school owners etc. But to get the prime jobs , best bet is to get a teacher qualification from a western style university and you are golden.

Get 2 years of experience and you are set to choose pretty much which country ou would like to teach in.

[garygroundwork]

(04-04-2012 12:59 PM)King Solomon Wrote:  

Given my deep interest in teaching english in Colombia, hopefully long-term

Can anyone give me an idea of why people burn out of it so quickly?

Is there anything a guy can do before he goes, or once he gets there, to improve his longevity and success in this endeavour?

because if you are doing it properly it takes up most of your time and wears you out physically. high stress, high pressure for little money.

working hard just to survive and never really getting far financially.

[lavidaloca]

I think one of the issues with ESL teaching is people go abroad largely because they see an opportunity to take advantage of their economies of scale. The problem is ESL doesn't provide them with a living to live well beyond the locals and they are stuck living how a middle class citizen in the poorer country would live. Which in the end doesn't meet their expectations.

[King Solomon]

Great answers, you guys. I believe there's lots of truth in that.

In my hopes to NOT burn-out, I think I will try to do things like supplement my income with online revenue, and see if I can make enough connections so I can do private lessons eventually, that work out to no more than part-time hours. Getting lucky with some networking can turn into some real hookups. Hopefully make my 'work' not too taxing.

I'd also speculate that if I got a job at a high school or college to where I could work banker-hours for a decent salary... the flow of young girls rolling through there would be enough to keep me interested. Simple life.

I no longer give a damn about 'standards of living' like I once did. I made a million bucks and lost it all. At this point in life, if I have an apt with a bed, a kitchen, and a bathroom, I am happy as a clam. I don't care if I own real estate, I don't care if I invest or have a 401k anymore... what I care about is enjoying life, and I find that very very easy to do. I spend my energy carefully, so I can do well the things that I endeavour to do, and avoid burning the candle at both ends. I take care of my health, too.

My reasons for going abroad: to have an experience far beyond the cursed Amerikan suburbs... and to get into some young latinas. Learning spanish would be awesome. I love the language.

Maybe people burn out there because their expectations were off... or they overdo things and get out of balance... or they love the creature comforts of the first-world too much.

There's a guy online who goes by "English Teacher X" who did ESL in Russia for 9 years. He tells it straight, that's for sure. He also gives a ton of info on killer lessons that are easy and effective to help get past difficult students or difficult hangovers. I don't know how things will go for me, but I know I'll share my stories. I know I can last a year, and if I play it right, many years.

I'm fair-skinned with blue eyes, and I am bound and determined to GTFO of the states and try my hand down south. Danger? Madness?

Count me in.

[redneckpunk]

Not everyone is cut out for living abroad, you don't know until you try it.

I say it all the time and nobody listens. Travelling vs living/working abroad are completely different animals.

Teaching all day, possibly getting screwed over, and earning $800 a month can get old.

Until you have a foreign employer, go to a foreign hospital, have a foreign landlord, deal with foreign Visa offices and paperwork, corrupt officials and cops, you don't know the stress involved and paradise can quickly turn into a place you can't stand.

Most people teach ESL for 1-1.5 years regardless of location then return home.

[tomtud]

There are plusses and minuses living and working anywhere. We are blessed that we are mostly native English speakers, and have the opportunity to pursue this venue.

[Tallc4]

Hello everyone,

I taught English in Korea for 1-1/2 years. I have a TEFL certificate. I have a Masters degree in Peace, Conflict, and Development Studies.

My question is this: How difficult will it be for me to land a university job in Bogota?

All responses will be highly appreciated.

[Merenguero]

(10-31-2012 11:56 PM)Tallc4 Wrote:  

Hello everyone,

I taught English in Korea for 1-1/2 years. I have a TEFL certificate. I have a Masters degree in Peace, Conflict, and Development Studies.

My question is this: How difficult will it be for me to land a university job in Bogota?

All responses will be highly appreciated.

This post reeks of Dash Global. Hopefully it is not.

[Lukecan]

Seriously why would anyone go to a 3rd world country with a very high crime rate in order to earn peanuts?
My cousin works for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, he was posted to bogota, making 6-7k$(american dollars) a month,he had diplomatic immunity, on top of that he was living in the best neighborhood in the town paid by the state, he was not even fond of the place. Now they transferred him to Houston, he's very happy about it.