Updated salary figures for English teachers

Buongone says on Dec 1, 2007, 18:59:

From what I've read, not much. Someone posted recently that they had to also buy a new wardrobe to meet the Employer's standards. Kind of like a volunteer job. Maybe 2-3 hundred US a month. If I remember correctly. Contact one of the schools. See how much they pay their teachers. Might be better off, going private, that way you are the patron !!

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wjp0180 says on Dec 1, 2007, 19:01:

Well,

It can vary depending on your qualifications and certifications. It can also depend greatly on the institution that hires you.

Here are some rough estimates:
Without a degree - 10.000 -12.000 pesos per hour.
With a degree - 13.000- 20.000 pesos per hour.

The average weekly workload is about 30-48 hours. (you can supplement your income with private classes, but you will have no life).

Monthly income (maybe 1,200,000 - 2,500,000 per month)

The minimum wage here is 400,000 pesos per month, so you will be make considerably more than the minimum.

WP

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Enrique187 says on Dec 1, 2007, 19:44:

thanks for the input. I will be working part time for my current boss and getting $1000 per month US dollars from him. 48 hours a week sounds like a lot for that money you listed, although I am aware that Colombians work more hours on average than Americans.

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august says on Dec 1, 2007, 20:42:

Yeah I would agree, it very much depends on how many hours you're willing to/able to put in per week b/c I found the hourly rates to be questionably low. I was working just for a short stint in Medellin and making 10K COP an hour. It's really best to think about how much you're making after converting it to US dollars. Ah, humility.

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Enrique187 says on Dec 1, 2007, 21:24:

10k COP. OUCH. I will take the hit though if that is what I need to do to get my start in Colombia. The teaching gig is more of a transitional job. Were you able to survive decently in Medellin on that pay?

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mranderson says on Dec 2, 2007, 05:08:

I average 12k or so teaching english. 15k for some classes and 10k for others. Starting next year I'm not going to work for under 15k. I don't work full time hours but I do make over a million pesos a month. It's enough to live on but I also don't live in poblado, my rent is only 200k per month.

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Enrique187 says on Dec 2, 2007, 09:42:

Wow Mranderson 200k rent!!! Thats quite a bargain. If I could find rent that cheap then maybe the $1000 US per month from my part time job would cover everything. You don't have any supplemental income other than the teaching? I know the min. wage is about 400k per month. You live decently on 1M pesos per month?

Thanks again.

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coffee beaner says on Dec 2, 2007, 09:59:

Enrique, even if your rent was 500k - 600k you would still have plenty of money left. $1000 USD is approximately 2 million pesos, you would have about 1 million 500k left.... you can't live with that in Colombia?

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mranderson says on Dec 2, 2007, 10:06:

$1,000 US per month is a lot. My only income is from teaching and I make 1 to 1.4 million a month depending on the holidays. 1.4 million was the best month I ever had. Do I live decently? Well I live fine. I take the bus or metro everywhere, I don't have a cell phone plan because I stick to landlines, and I very rarely go to a restuarant or disco in poblado. My expenses are pretty minimal.

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Chelesupercono says on Dec 2, 2007, 10:21:

SLAVE LABOR......

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

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Enrique187 says on Dec 2, 2007, 10:27:

I just do not want to cut it close. I'd like to maximize my income for any emergency expenses, etc. I also like to go out. Since the rent sounds very affordable, however, 1k US does sound like a plausible amount to live off of.

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gabolicious says on Dec 2, 2007, 12:19:

With all due respect.. guys I am not trying to be rude nor to offend anybody but I don't understand how come you think that only because your mother tongue is english you will have a better life in Colombia or in any other Latinamerican country teaching english...

If you disagree with the "terms and conditions" of working in a Latinamerican country according to your speaking qualities (some of the guys I have seen posting here have said that they do not have any preparation in teaching english) then you should invest some money in Colombia: you can be your own slave.


Think twice if you come to Colombia and think that with your blue eyes and your english language (without any preparation) will have a better life than in your countries. To be an american or any other native speaker sometimes is not enough to earn lots of money.

As I said I am not trying to offend any one... I am not referring to you Enrique since you have stated that you already have your degree... I am only referring to those people who are not prepared and want to come to show us some "espejitos"

Elección no canonización....

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Enrique187 says on Dec 2, 2007, 12:49:

I am looking into the teaching as a gateway job to begin life in Colombia. 90 percent of my family is there and I don't want to live in the US anymore. It will be my employment until I can start my own businesses there. I am not going there just for the girls, although no doubt they are the best. I like Colombians as a whole and the country more than the US. (gabolicious I know you weren't referring to me)

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borat says on Dec 7, 2007, 12:32:

I am also planning to arrive in Bogota sometime late January in search of TEFL work. I'm a UK national with a bachelors degree and 2 years post CELTA teaching experience (London, Cambodia and Vietnam).

I've been in touch with friends of friends who have been teaching in Bogota and other parts of Colombia for a number of years. They lead me to believe that there are decent and well paying schools around and with a little patience I'll find something suitable.

Anyone with any futher information to add to this post would be greatly appreciated, regards...

what you believe is not important, it's what you do that counts

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