Teaching ESL (English as a second language) in Colombia

la campiña says on Jul 11, 2008, 15:25:

I teach English in Cali and have a TEFL certificate now needed to acquire a legitimate work visa. This year Colombia has started using the European standard in bilingual public schools hoping to improve the standard of education, However it is very easy to find work private or in schools or institutes and from reading info on this site Bogota pays the best.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jul 11, 2008, 15:48:

Another idea is to send your cvs/resumes to all important multinational companies that operate in the area. I used to teach English in several local multinational companies before starting on my own. If they hire you the pay is usually decent and you never work full time. Basically you can support yourself on four hours a day and that leaves you plenty of time for other things.

Get in touch with the http://www.americansocietyofcali.com/
and get a list of comapnies that might require teachers.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jul 11, 2008, 15:54:

this is the complete list of companies linked to the American Society of Cali (I used to be a member and am still...a kind of honorary member. )

FRANQUICIAS & ESTRATEGIAS

COMANDINA
PROPAL S.A.
CARVAJAL S.A.
FESA S.A.
PRICE WATERHOUSE COOPERS LTDA.
CENTRO COLOMBO AMERICANO
DE LIMA MARSH
DATECSA-SHARP
CENTRO MEDICO IMBANACO
JOHNSON & JOHNSON DE COLOMBIA
COLEGIO BOLIVAR
SUPERSERVITECA CAÑAVERALEJO
SOCIEDAD PORTUARIA REGIONAL BUENAVENTURA
HERNANDEZ BÖHMER CONSTRUCCIONES LTDA.
LISTOS S.A. VISION & MARKETING S.A.
CIA. QUIMICA BORDEN
T.K.F. ENGINEERING & TRADING S.A.
AUTOANDROMEDA S.A.
INDUSTRIAS DEL MAIZ S.A.
VIAJES OGANESOFF
AMERICAN AIRLINES
COLOMBINA S.A.
GIROS Y FINANZAS CFC. S.A.
GOODYEAR DE COLOMBIA
PRODUCTOS QUAKER S.A.

LABORATORIOS BAXTER
COOMEVA
COLGATE PALMOLIVE
SERNICH VIAJES Y TURISMO
HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL
TRANSPORTES ESPECIALIZADOS R.T.R. LTDA.
OKABE CO
INDUSTRIAS LEHNER
DELOITTE & TOUCHE
CIAT
FABRISEDAS S.A.
PFIZER
HERTZ
CAMARA DE COMERCIO DE CALI
CAMARA DE COMERCIO COLOMBO AMERICANA DE CALI
CAMARA DE COMERCIO COLOMBO AMERICANA DE MIAMI
PRACTICA LTDA.
LAFRANCOL
VINCORTE LTDA.
CI LTC DE COLOMBIA
COMIL
DISTRIBUCIONES PVC
QUIMICA BASICA COLOMBIANA S.A.
INVERSIONES TURISTICAS LTDA - PANTURISMO
IME. ING.DE MAQUINAS ELECTRICAS
SUCROMILES S.A.
LA TOUR LTDA.
INVERCOLSA
AGROVALLE S.A.
ITALFOTO LTDA.
CIA. AVICOLA SURAMERICANA
OPTICA ALEMANA
TERMOVALLE S.C.A.E.S.P.
PRODUCTOS DANCALI
CHIPRE S.A.
RIVERLEE LTDA.
EDGAR LENIS Y CIA
DIEGO LOPEZ & CIA. LTDA.
INGENIO PICHICHI S.A.
CIA AVICOLA SURAMERICANA S.A.
WHITEHALL LABORATORIOS LTDA.
REGNIER Y CIA S. EN C.
SONOCO DE COLOMBIA LTDA.
VITAPAN LTDA.
INDUSTRIA QUIMICA ASERQUIM LTDA.
INGENIO PICHICHI S.A.
ACEITES Y DISOLVENTES PALMASECA LTDA.
S.G. INGENIERIA LTDA.
BRILLADORA LA ESMERALDA LTDA.
CT. SEGURIDAD
CHICLE ADAMS
CAVI S.A.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Monita Linda says on Jul 11, 2008, 16:02:

I used to work in a famous institute in Cali... was easy... send them your c.v., come to a short interview, do an english exam, training course and then you get a trial period.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jul 11, 2008, 16:16:

I worked at a couple of institutes too...but that was a long time ago. After that I went private, working in companies and started on my own. That company teaching is something I could recommend but it's good if you have some training first. I started at an institute first I I swear I learned more Spanish than my students learned English that first year! But we had a great time. I also made some lifetime friends.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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lanegrapaisa says on Jul 11, 2008, 16:47:

In Medellin you're supposed to take the MELICET (formerly known as Michigan) and they're always looking for teachers. what city are you going to?

Hasta el santo Papa tira peos!

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la campiña says on Jul 11, 2008, 20:53:

i have loads of nfo re teaching in cali , mail me

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Philly says on Jul 12, 2008, 05:15:

Sorry, you do not need an TEFL certificate to get a work visa, I know because I have a work visa without this certificate. If you are offered a job in a public institution, you need a contract. If you seek work in a private institution, you need a lot more paper work. The process was long and tiring, but it can be done. The problem is, you have to find a place that is willing to do all the paperwork for you. Most private schools are not willing to reveal all of their information to the government.
it is not true that Bogota pays the best. I get paid very well here. it depends on your experience, education and the school. I have 2 Graduate degress with teaching experience

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la campiña says on Jul 14, 2008, 09:02:

7 years teaching in cali shot down in flames, what do I know

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leosantos9 says on Jul 14, 2008, 14:29:

Thank you for all your posts! I would like to go to Cali... Does anybody know where you take the TEFL certificate? I am currently in Orlando, Fla... How much can someone earn teaching English (starting and max)?

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lpdiver says on Jul 16, 2008, 10:43:

There is a TEFL class in Bogota...google it up.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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Philly says on Jul 17, 2008, 18:08:

I guess you do not know that much. Its obvious you have been in Colombia for some time. So, you and I both know that there is never anything set in stone here. it depends on what time of day or how somebodys feel to what you kind of paperwork you need to do.

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la campiña says on Jul 17, 2008, 19:55:

I live in Cali and use , confetti, puppets, tic tac toe and new rainbow for kids and New oxford file for late teens , adults etc. Needed a TEFL cert to get my work visa, maybe the DAS have got sloppy, do you live and teach in Cali ? because generally there is no shadow of a doubt Bogota pays the best

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