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Teaching salaries Vs. COP valuation and inflation

I have been teaching in Florida for 3 years and am just finishing up my M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction. I will be going back to Medellin for my 3rd trip next week and will be looking at private schools to teach for in '09-'10.

How are teacher salaries there regarding COP valuation USD devaluation ...? Also, are they making adjustments to compete with other Latin countries which have a less expensive cost of living?

Any insights would be appreciated.

Cheers!

Have visited Valle de Cocora, Nevado del Ruiz, Leticia into Peru and Brazil, whitewater rafting on Rio Cauca, paragliding in Medellin... I love Colombia!

By espero on Jul 19, 2008, 13:51 in Friendly Talkzone.

yummyj says on Jul 19, 2008, 14:14:

I have never known ANY country to change the salary of an Engish teaching because of rising/falling currency values. It is not their problem. Why would they bother to change it? Lose money just to please the teacher? Never.

Is the US making adjustments to compete with other advanced nations? Are the other nations? Nope. That is our world.

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espero says on Jul 19, 2008, 14:24:

In the spirit of capitalism countries do make changes in salary ranges to attract talent. Thank you for your bitter and unhelpful commentary.

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gamm2 says on Jul 19, 2008, 14:59:

The school I'm at has a floor exchange rate for 50% of the salary of 2000 pesos per dollar. The other half is at the exchange rate of the day. The salary is quoted in dollars, but paid in pesos. I think next year I have the opportunity to get a higher percentage at tha exchange rate.. its a little confusing.

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mcheasley says on Jul 19, 2008, 15:03:

Espero, I have a feeling there will be a higher demand for english teachers starting later this year or early next year as the Canadian free trade agreement goes into effect and when the U.S. FTA happens which it will eventually I know a few U.S. companies that have stated they will require bi-lingual management in Colombia...

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truthspeaker says on Jul 19, 2008, 16:06:

"In the spirit of capitalism countries do make changes in salary ranges to attract talent."

Espero, I doubt that the Colombian job market is in a situation to attract talents. But you never know...

Remember, I can only tell the truth. No more Sex Tourism in Colombia.

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NCMike says on Jul 19, 2008, 16:51:

I have seen a flow of talent FROM Colombia. My school system and others contract teachers through VIF (Visiting International Fellows). In short, many of the top teachers in Colombia are hopeful for a chance to go work in the US for a period of time and earn and save better than they could in Colombia. Knowing that makes me doubt that salaries in Colombia are often much better than what you find in the US.

Having said that, a friend of mine, affiliated with this program, told me that by the time he paid all his bills in the US, he really wasn't doing any better than he was in Bogota. I'm sure there are good positions to be had, but I bet the competition is strong. The M.A. won't hurt. But I don't think overall it is the COUNTRY that makes adjustments, but the individual schools.

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Bill Turley says on Jul 19, 2008, 19:31:

I have found that the salarys here in Colombia are much less than in the states. The most I made in Colombia was as a Principal, The pay was about half what I made as a teacher in Florida

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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adrienne79 says on Jul 19, 2008, 19:37:

I think the programs to go to other SA countries are better and even better f you are willing to go to Asia.

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