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Looking for Bogota teaching job.

Hi, my girlfriend lives and works in Bogota and I'm looking to spend more time with her. From reading old PBH posts it seems that some people find work teaching English there.
As I understand it, there seems to be a formal TESOL/CELTA route or the non-qualified TEFL route. How do I go about finding those jobs that don't require bells and whistles qualifications? Is there some kind of compulsory on the job training?
Thanks, and I appreciate that you've probably answered this question a thousand times.

By mush on Aug 7, 2007, 06:44 in Renting, selling & meetups.

Leeroy says on Aug 7, 2007, 13:36:

There are not many jobs available where...

a) You get a work visa and contract provided
and
b) You don't have any experience or qualifications

In short, there are not many jobs available full stop for foreigners - the ones that are will tend to require professionally qualified teachers. All of this said, on the Lonely Planet discussion forum for Colombia there is a guy advertising jobs - some say he is a rip-off merchant, however.

But, I imagine, there are many places that pay under the table and hire you temporarily on a tourist visa. Indeed, you could take on private students - you wouldn't have any trouble finding them! Bear in mind that a tourist visa is only good for 3 months, though.

Good luck

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mush says on Aug 8, 2007, 00:20:

Thanks Leeroy,

"under the table on a tourist visa" was kind of what I was expecting. I can extend 3 month visa and stay for six months in every twelve with a tourist visa, no?
It seems opinion is divided between "lots of work here" and "you'd be lucky", have you tried to find work in Bogota?

Cheers mate!

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cderekbower says on Aug 8, 2007, 10:05:

expect to find work within a week at 20 000 per hour if you dress well, speak well and can really teach a class or a one on one. you may find it difficult to get more than a few hours of work a week. I have been here 3 weeks and work for 3 schools but only have 10.5 hrs per week so far. I have not contacted 73 of the 85 schools.
expect to work before or after normal working hours, ie 7 am or 6 30 pm.
you may be requested to work for free for a trial period. i am encouraging people to refuse to work for free, as only half of the schools are asking this, and we as native speakers are in demand. good luck. do not sell yourself short. there are dozens of schools that will hire you on the spot.

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mush says on Aug 8, 2007, 19:59:

We're in demand but you can't find full time work? How's that work? So am I kidding myself that I could find a daytime teaching job which would mean I get to see my girlfriend in the evening at least?
Thanks cdb, I take your advice and refuse to do free

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HolandaPaisa says on Aug 9, 2007, 12:40:

It is hard to find a pure daytime teaching job as most people want to have class before they start working or after their work. I guess that's what cderek means. I am teaching myself but in Medellin.

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mush says on Aug 10, 2007, 11:59:

Thanks HP, sorry for my delay in coming back to you.. I see how it works now thanks, thanks to both of you..

Are you teaching in Medellin as a qualified teacher? I see from your posts that your/the work in Medellin seems to pay quite well. Is that a typical income for TEFL?

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