Post by El Profe on Nov 21, 2009 17:44:30 GMT -4
One important thing to remember is that the academic year is the opposite way round. That is to say, the year runs from late March to Christmas.
The strategically best time to start looking for work, especially if funds are tight, is late February early March.
There are some institutions that recruit overseas. They pay for airfare, visas and help with accommodation. I have heard bad and good about this in equal measure. My suggestion is to not put yourself in this position and find yourself the 'perfect' job when you get here.
Before you arrive, start sending emails to some schools. These emails should be addressed to the DOS. Attach an CV, photo and a copy of your TEFL qualification. If you know your arrival date in Santiago, that will also be useful.
Replies will generally consist of 'pop in and see us when you get here' or they will try to schedule an interview. Either way, build up a rapport with the DOS and email them as soon as you arrive. Keenness is highly valued.
Don't forget, if you have a TEFL qualification and you are a native speaker, you are in the driving seat. Don't worry if you are a newbie with no teaching experience. Schools will hire you. The big deciding factor is your demo lesson. This part of the interview process is vital to getting to getting the job.
Hopefully the thread on Good School/Bad School will start to fill up and you can make more informed decisions.
There is little or no work here in Santiago during January and February. Teachers generally use this period to see more of this fantastic country or finally get round to doing a Machu Picchu trek.
There are teachers that work during this period but that is for two reasons:
El Profe
The strategically best time to start looking for work, especially if funds are tight, is late February early March.
There are some institutions that recruit overseas. They pay for airfare, visas and help with accommodation. I have heard bad and good about this in equal measure. My suggestion is to not put yourself in this position and find yourself the 'perfect' job when you get here.
Before you arrive, start sending emails to some schools. These emails should be addressed to the DOS. Attach an CV, photo and a copy of your TEFL qualification. If you know your arrival date in Santiago, that will also be useful.
Replies will generally consist of 'pop in and see us when you get here' or they will try to schedule an interview. Either way, build up a rapport with the DOS and email them as soon as you arrive. Keenness is highly valued.
Don't forget, if you have a TEFL qualification and you are a native speaker, you are in the driving seat. Don't worry if you are a newbie with no teaching experience. Schools will hire you. The big deciding factor is your demo lesson. This part of the interview process is vital to getting to getting the job.
Hopefully the thread on Good School/Bad School will start to fill up and you can make more informed decisions.
There is little or no work here in Santiago during January and February. Teachers generally use this period to see more of this fantastic country or finally get round to doing a Machu Picchu trek.
There are teachers that work during this period but that is for two reasons:
- They already work for a school and are getting first dibs on the scraps
- They have private students
El Profe