maybe moving to Medellin or Bogota

ColombiaBoard says on Dec 16, 2004, 18:59:

Teaching english As you correctly wrote, it´s too late to send your application to an english teaching institute but who knows, it´s better to try than not, so check this site in Medellin (one of the best english teaching institutes in Colombia)
http://www.colomboworld.com/TeacherApplication.htm
The application form for non-colombian teachers is after the application for colombian teachers.
Regarding the climbing areas, I don´t know why LP recommends no to climb to Monserrate, well, maybe because it´s somewhat dangerous when it´s lonely (on weekdays) but on weekends the trail is full of people.

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Lionheart says on Dec 16, 2004, 19:08:

my experiences I tried contacting many schools in advance, no replies. I have read often in this forum that the only way to go is show up in person, collect several offers, and grab the best one.

I am sure several others already teaching will pop on and give you their experiences.

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kernow62 says on Dec 16, 2004, 20:18:

LP is usually way off regarding Colombia, but as is posted above, climbing Monserrate is a bit of a risk on weekdays. Of course if you aren't carrying anything of value you should be OK.

While I was in Bogotá recently they were talking about making the climb safer for tourists during the week, I believe they were going to clear out some of the poor people and post more tourist police along the route. I don't know if either has been done.

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Jon says on Dec 16, 2004, 21:00:

thanks for the responses.

I've already sent resumes to all the binational centers in Latin America and quite a few non US related private schools in Argentina. Very few responses but one i did get back was from the one in Medellin. It had an advertisement that made it sound very appealing. He wrote that he would hold on to my resume and contact me in September...What is the meaning of "Institute" as used here?

LP actually did mention that Monserrate is popular on weekends. What about other hiking spots around Bogota and Medellin?

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YEP says on Dec 17, 2004, 16:05:

Well GOB Going to the gym doesn't take all day ;-)

On another note what does a teacher with a Masters degree earn at a university - lets say with 10 years of experience ??

Is there any difference between humaniora and tech. science when it comes to salary.

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

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mcewena1 says on Dec 17, 2004, 16:23:

What's your major? try the "Centro Colombo Americano" they have them in most major cities. You may be able to teach in an international school. The Colombus School in Medellin and the "Jorge Washington in cartagena" those were where I taught. I was deputy head in cartagena and they may remember me there. It's a nice city to live in.
Andy

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YEP says on Dec 17, 2004, 17:01:

Mine ???

I was asking out of curiousity - in case that I should stumple over some real talented person ;-)

My major is computer science.

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

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ColombiaBoard says on Dec 17, 2004, 17:26:

Institute "Institutes" are teaching institutions, different from formal high schools or universities or colleges. The Colombo Americano in Medellin is very good, but there´s also one in Bogota.

You can check also the private bilingual schools. Unfortunately I only know two in Medellin: Columbus School and Marymount High School (girls only).

Hiking in Medellin? well, the city has a couple of hills, the Nutibara and the Volador, they´re not a big hike but they`re popular with joggers. There are "hiking clubs" that walk usually to the Santa Helena area on weekends but you´ll see when you go to Medellin what´s it like.

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Jon says on Dec 17, 2004, 17:41:

If, on the other hand I'm being asked, my major was rhetoric from UC Berkeley, class of '91. I think I will like a cooler climate than Cartegna.

Do international schools have classes soley for the purposes of learning English. I think of them as primary/secondary schools that happen to be taught in English.

Jon

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ColombiaBoard says on Dec 17, 2004, 18:00:

international schools That´s right, those "international schools" are just primary/secondary schools that teach in english only.

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glacierdaz says on Dec 18, 2004, 14:04:

You are in for a rough ride Apparently the DAS will only consider qualified teachers. A Celta or TESL will not do the trick anymore. Apparently, the IRA members who collaberated with the FARC entered the country posing as TESL teachers. Since that incident, the government has tightened the restrictions. If you are considering getting a work permit for here, make damn sure you get all the paperwork authenticated and legalized before flying here. Without this, you can almost forget it. I am a Canadian visiting here and very eager to teach, however the red tape is ridiculous. I will have to return home and consider Plan B. Thats my 2 cents worth. Have a good holiday !

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Jon says on Dec 18, 2004, 15:35:

Red Tape I have to jump back in and comment on that last post by glacierdiaz. First thanks and sorry to hear that wrenches are being thrown into your teaching plans. That kind of information is obviously more important than where I'm going to watch the sunsets. I'm going to try and paste the work visa requirements for US citizens in Colombia that I found from the Colombian website after my comments. I plan to visit them in person here in LA on Monday and will post results afterwards.

I would like to know more details of your experience and background, glacierdiaz. You can email(quejt at earthlink.net) me if necessary but I hope you post it so everyone can benefit. Do you have a BA? a TEFL? experience? How long have you been in Colombia. Which cities? Which paperwork were you missing? Why couldn't you get a job offer, fly back to Canada with all the necessary paperwork and get your work visa there. I realize Canada is more expensive to fly to than miami - were schools not willing to pay for this expense? Or does it all go back to what you were saying - teaching credentials are now a requirement. I will make sure to confirm this with the Colombian consulate.

One thing I can't find out about at the consulate is the mechanics of working without a work visa. I realize that this is a sensitive subject to write about but I hope we can all be candid on this.

Jon

Here's the paste:

Work Visa (TT)

Requirements:

1. Valid Passport with at least 3 available pages and good for a minimum of 6 months.

2. Two (2) passport copies. plain copies please.

3. Visa application form duly signed and filled out in duplicate.

4. Three (3) colored passport-type pictures (2"x2").

5. Original work contract with both signatures notarized.

6. Certificate of Goodwill of the company, notarized and Apostilled.

7. Legalized and Apostilled copy of the university diploma.

8. Police criminal records, issued within the last six months, translated into Spanish and both versions (English and Spanish) must be notarized and certified with an APOSTILLE from the secretary of state where it was issued. This certificate is required ONLY if you do not hold a current Colombian visa.

9. Letter from the Colombian company stating the name and position of the applicant, detailed purpose of trip, and company's compromise to assume full financial responsibility for the traveler expenses, including his return to the country of origin or last country of residence. This letter must notarized and apostilled.

10.Certificate " Certificado de Proporcionalidad" issued by the Colombian "Ministerio del Trabajo", stating that the ratio of national and foreign workers has been duly respected.

11. Health Certificate showing that applicant has been vaccinated against yellow fever. This certificate is required ONLY if the applicant is traveling to any of the following Departamentos (States) in Colombia: Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Bolívar, Boyacá, Casanare, Caqueta, Cauca, Guaviare, Magdalena, Meta, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Santander, Vaupés or Vichada.

12. Consular fee: US$205.00

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Jon says on Dec 20, 2004, 10:37:

update, kinda Just following up on my visit to the Colombian consulate in LA. It actually wasn't that helpful. The lady's English at the counter wasn't so good but ultimately she didn't know what a CELTA was and she she couldn't really say if a teaching credential was necessary. She did seem to think that the DAS would have the answers but she wouldn't/couldn't tell me how to contact them. My Spanish is limited so I can't really contact them by phone from the US to Colombia.

She said only the original "diploma" and police report, not the translated copies, must be apostilled and notorized.

She said to do that after I obtain a work contract.

Jon

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alejoduque says on Dec 12, 2005, 09:18:

First time posting Cool site,

Alejo says hello to everybody.

I live in medellin, spanish my native language, fluent english as well.

If you need some colombian medellin spanish guide, i could help.

Bye

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dwmte says on Dec 13, 2005, 07:24:

alejo duque... are you any relation to carlos duque living in llano grande? he's a friend of mine, and i know his folks live in medellin (Poblado). he used to come to my place--also in los llanos--and drink himself way to crazy. he's a painter of some renown in colombia.

dwmte at bellsouth.net

dw martin

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hbratovich says on Nov 3, 2006, 09:15:

TEFL/TESOL Certification in Medellin If you are interested in teaching English in Medellin, I would suggest that you participate in our International TEFL/TESOL Certificate program which is conducted in association with local language center. We conduct the trainings in their premises and also offer job placement services. Please visit our web site at www.estudiosexterior.com - Teacher training. Our program is accredited internationally and it is based on international standards. We are ILAC - International Language Academy of Canada authorized training center for Colombia.

Best regards

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