Teaching english in Medellin

bradenmiami says on May 27, 2008, 14:06:

Maybe start by taking a few more classes yourself...then try the local Universities or Language Institutes which always seem to be hiring someone.

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

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tal says on May 27, 2008, 19:48:

there are lots of jobs, the problem is no one will respond via email, your best bet is to come here and go to all the schools. You should probably teach children, and all schools here offer English.
The money is not amazing, but you can live off this. Your other option is to teach Spanish.....

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Colombiareports.com says on May 27, 2008, 20:09:

I personally gave up trying to teach English, since you basically end up walking or driving all over town without getting anything for it. One school (El centro del Ingles in Poblado) even made me buy a pencil of them to do a test. It's better to look at other things you can do and come up with a project involving development. Government institutions or public-private institutions are a lot keener on things like that. They pay better too. The whole looking for a job as an English teacher was a humbling experience for me though, it did make me a better person ;-)

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Greg1212 says on May 27, 2008, 21:09:

I agree. tal - how did you know that they don`t answer to e-mails? Catch 21, because if you wish to work legally and have papers it is recommended to contact the institutions from abroad. If you are there in person which you suggest, you cannot contact them from abroad. If you are abroad (where I am - unfortunately), they don`t bother responding regardless how nice the application package is. If you go there, most of them will try to hire you per hour basis as they are not willing to go through the BS paperwork.

I would like to move to Medellin, but it is tough to secure something from out of town. And I am quite qualified, but still.

Colombiareports.com - what Government institutions do you recommend and how approach?

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dwmte7 says on May 28, 2008, 04:31:

jesus...the best place to teach english, professional (imho) is eafit in llano grande. about 45 minutes from medellin. you must have the proper papers. too, teaching privately requires no more than command of the idiom. however, it takes a good long time to build up a following.

i taught english in llano grande, free, to local campesino kids to help them in their studies at the local rural catholic school. it helped them compete with the priviledged kids who could afford tutors. i turned down the opportunity to teach at eafit...i had a bar and a restaurant at the time and didn't really want something that smacked of a 'real' job.

dwmte

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Colombiareports.com says on May 28, 2008, 06:41:

at Greg1212,

Depending on what your current profession is you can sit down and think what you can bring to the city. What kind of project you can do involving what you know. Then contact the secretario of the municipal department involved. When you have certain skills or knowledge that can help with the development of the city (culturally or socially) there's quite a chance they will take your proposal seriously. Don't expect quick results though, it's government.

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Colombiareports.com says on May 28, 2008, 06:45:

at Greg1212,

forgot something. Getting things organized from abroad sounds difficult. My idea is that you have most chance trying things here. Once you do get a job or project assigned to you, you take the bus to Cucutá, cross the bridge to Venezuela where there's an immigration office. You hand them the papers you need, have a coffee and two hours later you have your visa. It's what a friend of mine did, I'm still happily staying here on a tourist visa, but will end up doing the same.

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tal says on May 28, 2008, 07:05:

if you are qualified, you will find work, you should come with some saving so you dont have to find work in the first month, be patient, and it will happen. Eafit is a great bet, and they do get the paperwork for you.

Another good school is lexicom.

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Greg1212 says on Jun 1, 2008, 23:10:

Thanks for all of you, guys. I tried EAFIT twice, even came to MDE once to meet with them at the instituto de idiomas. I sat for an exam just for their request. Completed with excellent results, all paperwork fine, degree translated, certified, whatever....they refused. I guess, they got scared of me...not that I look scarry :)...but I was too dedicated to get the job and "overqualified" as they would say here in Canada....and maybe wondering if I have other intentions (which I don`t) in Colombia.

tal - I have savings even up to 3-4 months if I cannot get a job. That`s a non issue. I want to be legal, I want to have a visa. The problem is that sometimes the certification at the colombian Ministry of Education could take between 2-8 or even more months, I learned....that much time I don`t have...that`s why I wanted to secure something before going there. Is it true that I can get into trouble if I work (teach -not private, but at a language school) without papers? There is a guy here on PBH who alwasy says: Cuidado when it comes to any work without visa issues. Should he be taken seriously?

Colombiareport.com - thanks for the suggestion. I will think about it. It is though however.

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Allen Parker says on Sep 17, 2008, 07:52:

Any one know of other emploment an american can find in medellin if he cannot find teaching position? I can be contacted by e-mail. Parker at adparker1313 at yahoo.com

parker13

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rocinante says on Sep 17, 2008, 08:03:

Open a Hostal/mini hotel - they are the only business that does well here. The only business that does well here. They only business that does well here.

Has anyone seen a successful foreign run business that makes money and has been around for more than 2 years? That isn't a hostel bed and breakfast type of "rent to foreigners"?

You bar owners, furniture store owners, ice cream shop owners, fast food owners, mini tienda or other retail owners, any small business owners - please share your success stories. I would like to hear one.

Just one.

1

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Not that the US president actually runs the US." Feb 5, 2008

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rocinante says on Sep 17, 2008, 08:10:

Besides teaching English and besides starting a private business (see above post), in an effort to answer Mr Parker's question has anyone FOREIGNER come to Medellín and apart from teaching English has anyone secured a position with a Colombian firm as a professional or semi professional?

Accountant, lawyer, IT professional, artistic design layout graphics type person, marketing, financial, even service oriented.... you get the picture.

I am open to those who work for IBM in North America or Europe and have transferred to Colombia.

In other words you go to work every day, sit in an office or cube and wrok and get paid in COP from a company located in Colombia, even if a multi national company.

Anyone?

One?

1?

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Not that the US president actually runs the US." Feb 5, 2008

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