Teaching in Medellin Colombia

Dan says on Aug 3, 2007, 19:42:

from the sounds of it, you might as well call yourself a native speaker. That's a good "requirement" for being able to teach english. The TESOL should be able to help you out a lot too. As far as job availability, I couldn't answer that right now, but you never know if you don't try. I've always heard of many schools looking for new teachers, not just major universities either. I wish you luck in finding one you will enjoy working at.

God Bless America!

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Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 4, 2007, 02:10:

Philly says on Aug 4, 2007, 07:00:

Private schools are your best bet. There is a lot of red tape involved in public schools. You can always give private lessons until you find something. This is the middle of the school year here, school lets out in December for the year. I am sure it will better to look then.

Suerte

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ahda007 says on Aug 4, 2007, 08:34:

Thank you Dan, Peter and Philly. I guess I was in a impression that native speakers are refer to citizens that are actually born in their soil. I feel so much more relieve from what Dan said. So Dan, are you teaching in Medellin right now? I hope you can leave me a contact number, perhaps I can call you for some advices and information from you.

thanx :)

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mranderson says on Aug 4, 2007, 09:50:

I don't have any type of college degree or certificate for teaching english and I was able to find a job without too much trouble. Small institutes are the easiest places to find work I think.

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ahda007 says on Aug 4, 2007, 11:00:

did it take you long to find the job? where should i be looking for jobs in medellin? any suggestion? Since I am looking forward to teach and live there for a year or more, I am hoping that the pay can support myself there. would you say you can earn about 600US a month? Mranderson? how about getting a working visa?

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Philly says on Aug 4, 2007, 13:26:

Now comes the complications. Not knowing your status, but lets say you are not from Colombia and have a tourist Visa. You will need a contract first from an employer to even get the process started. Then, you will need tons of papers. This link should answer all your questions. I been through all these. Please, be patient Colombia is not a country for taking care of things quickly. http://www.colhouston.org/servicios/visas.php
you will need a temporal visa para trabajar

ps. you can earn that much money. It really depends on the hours worked and school. I have the education and experience so I do okay. I work in a school in the morning and early afternoon and the local University at night.

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ahda007 says on Aug 4, 2007, 13:42:

I would say I am a hard working person which would not mind working lets say 8 to 10 hours a day. But I would need some guidance at first, since I am not an experience teacher. I am just hoping that the standards in Colombia University/School/Instistute, are some what considerate and welcome newly graduates from TESOL, and are willing to allow us to adapt.

Philly, are you in Medellin now? maybe we can chat some day.... ill add you to my friend list

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vicshere says on Aug 4, 2007, 14:01:

also remember that not many schools will give you full time work (40 hours) as full time employee is additional cost for the school as there are more benefits they have to pay on behalf of a full time versus a temporary employee.....like philly says you might find yourself work in a few different schools to make any kind of wage

listo

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ahda007 says on Aug 4, 2007, 14:08:

vic :) your like everywhere... lol.. you surely are helpfull. ill add you as friend, maybe even exchange numbers someday. If i ever encounter you in Colombia, I should take you out a drink. :D

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ahda007 says on Aug 4, 2007, 14:09:

vic :) your like everywhere... lol.. you surely are helpfull. ill add you as friend, maybe even exchange numbers someday. If i ever encounter you in Colombia, I should take you out a drink. :D

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vicshere says on Aug 4, 2007, 14:13:

beer anytime remember..... I am in B/manga about 4-5 hours from Med......but I am planning to have a look see as I hear many great things about that city

listo

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Philly says on Aug 4, 2007, 14:32:

I am in Pamplona Norte Santader. Its a small town mostly made up of the University students, although there are a great deal of people who live here. I teach 3rd,4th,5th & 9th grade. My situation is unique. My school is Billingual, so the students have 7 hours a week in English. It makes it easier for me, I only lecture in English. The students are not permitted to talk to me in Spanish. Its a really great situation. At the University, the students have an okay grasp of the lanquage, so then again I only lecture in English. Most schools here teach English through Spanish, this makes it very difficult for native teachers and speakers. The teacher turn around is really high, so you should find something but be patient. I like the suggestion of working in an Institute, the pay is higher and the work is easier. I have been through some tough times with the parents here, but after speaking with me I made them understand that their kid is not studying like he or she needs to. Its tough on the parents, they do not understand anything and they feel helpless because they can not help their children with homework. I politely appologize and explain to them the assignment is for their children and not for them. I point out that their children has all the instructions and explanations that is needed to be successful in my class. I then explain that their children are learning on a level like no other school in this city. Then they ususlly apologize and thank me for being their childs teacher.

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ahda007 says on Aug 4, 2007, 15:20:

What would you guys think of Colombians student accepting an Oriental English teacher?

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wjp0180 says on Aug 4, 2007, 16:00:

Hey ahda007

Well, I am teaching English in Medellin as we speak. I just moved here from the United States about a month ago. I had many of the same questions you had. Let me see if I can help.

First, I wouldn’t waste my time taking the TESOL, since most institutions here do not require it (I haven’t seen one that does). More important than the TESOL is a degree in any field (BA or BS). But even if you do not have a degree, you can still get a job simply because you are a native speaker (you get paid more if you have a degree).

Second, there are tons of places that you can work at here in Medellin that don’t have websites. A few that you might want to look into are: El Colombo Americano – Medellin, Lexicom, Knowledge of English (KOE), and the Columbus School. I am working at El Colombo Americano right now, and the people there are really friendly, and there is a lot of diversity within the staff. It is a lot of fun, and the students are great!

On a side note, Medellin is really beautiful and has progressed more than some U.S. cities. People are super friendly and very, very talkative. While you won’t become a millionaire while teaching in Medellin, you definitely won’t struggle (if you are single). You can expect to make – depending on where you end up – anywhere from 1,200 – 1,600 U.S. dollars per month. Which here in Medellin is a huge chunk of money. To give you a point of reference, some jobs here pay 15000 pesos per day (7 dollars). So, you will be okay financially - unless you have an extravagant lifestyle. Good luck. Anything else, just e-mail me at wpulgarin at juno.com

WP

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ahda007 says on Aug 4, 2007, 16:11:

Thanks wjp0180. So did you get your job with BA or BS? when you are referring to $1200 - $1600 a month, I was just shocked. Never have I hear such pay in Medellin. You will defenetly hear from me. thanks a million !!

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Philly says on Aug 4, 2007, 16:55:

15,000 pesos a day? I get paid more then that a hour.

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ahda007 says on Aug 4, 2007, 18:22:

hey Philly, where is pamplona? part of medellin??

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ahda007 says on Aug 4, 2007, 18:52:

hey wjp0180. I've tried to write you an email with the one you post on above, but it said to be an invalid email address. Perhaps, is a "typo error"?!

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Dan says on Aug 4, 2007, 21:49:

I'm not in Colombia (I wish I was). I'm in Afghanistan right now. I haven't taught before in Colombia. I do know this topic has come up before. I'd like to go to Colombia when I retire. Who knows, I may teach English too, I don't know yet. I guess I'll find out when I get to retirement in 10yrs or so. Best of luck to you. I hope it works out for you.

God Bless America!

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Philly says on Aug 5, 2007, 06:01:

No, Pamplona is nowhere near Medellin. Its in the state of Norte Santander. It is precisely between Cucuta and Bucaramanga.

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