Are you interested in learning the tango?Dream of soaking up the sun at Copacabana?Fancy a few waves in Pichilemu?
If any of this sounds like your daydreams, then you are probably thinking about teaching English in South America.And who can blame you?With beautiful locations, welcoming cultures and plenty of TEFL jobs, South America is currently a great choice for TEFL teachers.
As with any great adventure, it pays to be prepared. To help you make the most of your South American dream, we've put together our top tips to prepare you for teaching English in South America.
1.Qualify
South America is certainly more relaxed than others when it comes to qualifications (such as Europe or the UK), but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be TEFL qualified.You don't necessarily need a degree to teach or have teaching experience in South America, but your chances of finding a job without at least a TEFL certificate are slim.Also, taking a TEFL course is the best way to prepare yourself to make the magic happen in the classroom.
2.Bigger is better
The first thing you need to decide is where you are going to go.When it comes to finding a job in South America, bigger is better.In other words, you are more likely to find a job in the bigger cities.A smaller town or village may offer a more authentic cultural experience, but your chances of finding a job there are much lower than in a big city where there are more students and more schools.Once you've narrowed your decision down to a specific country, select one of the major cities to begin your search.Buenos Aires, Lima, Santiago and Rio de Janeiro are good options.
3.Invest in a good pair of sneakers
You may be used to looking for jobs online and applying, but in South America, you'll likely have to pound the sidewalk.Many schools expect you to be able to interview in person, so you have to consider going to the country without a guaranteed job.This may seem daunting, but here's how it's done in these parts.You can look online, but don't be surprised if you find that employers prefer their teachers to already be in the area.
4.Watch what you wear
When you find a school you want to apply to, make sure you're dressed well when you drop by.Even though the culture may seem relaxed and cool, appearance is important, so pay attention to how you dress. (We joke about the sneakers!). Dress modestly and elegantly and cover tattoos and body piercings as much as possible.This applies to submitting your resume as well as interviews.
5.Take your piggy bank
Since you will be entering the country without employment, this also means that you will need to arrive with enough money to support yourself for a while before you receive your first paycheck.It can take a few weeks to find a job, and even then it takes a few weeks to get paid.Fortunately, the cost of living in South America is pretty low, so you don't need to arrive with millions, but keep in mind that you may have to pay a monthly deposit for rent and may have travel expenses related to your job, so factor that into your calculations.
6.Speak the lingo
It is a no-brainer to try to learn the language of the country you are in, but this can be expanded by translating your resume into Spanish or Portuguese or the equivalent language.You could also invest in business cards with your contact information on them.There are year-round flexible Spanish courses in South America that can be combined with any teaching job.You might also want to learn Portuguese in Brazil if you have the idea of working as a language teacher in an exotic place like Rio de Janeiro.
7.Prepare to teach private students
These business cards come in handy if you're looking for private tutors, which is common in South America.If possible, wait until you have a local phone number before creating the cards so employers can easily reach you.Then you can have them on hand to leave at libraries or on community bulletin boards or when you meet new friends.
8.And Business English
Business English is becoming more popular in major South American cities as their economies improve.As a business English teacher, you will become a very attractive teacher to language schools, businesses, and potential private students.In addition, you can make more money teaching business English than teaching general English.Even if you have no business experience, sell yourself as capable of teaching business English, and your resume will look that much better.
9.Don't expect to become a millionaire
While most of us become TEFL teachers because we are excited about the adventure opportunities it offers, we still need to be realistic and think about finances.In South America, you'll certainly earn enough to live on and probably enough to live well – think beach trips on the weekends and eating at restaurants during the week – but don't count on earning enough to pay back your student loans at home.Instead, your focus when living in South America should be on the experience of living in such an amazing destination.
10.If you're in Rome..
If you're able to put financial concerns to the back of your mind, this is the next step for you.When you're in Rome, do what the South Americans do … or something like that.South America is different from many countries not only geographically, but also culturally.
Embrace the culture and learn to live like a local, even if it might mean living more slowly than you're used to.Be prepared to be frustrated when things don't move as quickly as you would like them to.
This is it.Our top ten tips for teaching English in South America.Keep these in mind and you are ready for the South American adventure of a lifetime!
This is a guest post from The TEFL Academy, one of the world's leading providers of TEFL courses.They can help you gain the skills needed to teach English as a foreign language, whether through an online specialized course or a combined TEFL course.