Working abroad, where to start?

I think I've made the decision to quit my job and get my butt off to another country.

I just need a point in the right direction! I've done a bit of research in jobs abroad, but most of them are programs that I have to pay for. I don't plan on making lots of money, but I sure as heck don't want to PAY to work. I would really like to go somewhere in South or Central America. I speak Spanish and am currently a high school biology teacher. I've heard of the TEFL, but I don't really want to pay for that course.

So I guess I'd like any advice for searching for jobs in South/Central America where I don't have to pay a fee and is not volunteering. Hope I'm not being too picky!

Let me know if you all need any more info. Thanks in advance!

First things first. Have you researched where you can get either a work visa or a visa to stay more than the usual 90 days for a tourist? Unfortunately that limits the options for most of us - particularly those who are over the age stipulation for Working Holiday Visas.

You say you are a high school Biology teacher so why don't you look at working in International schools. They pay much better than English language schools.

Have a look on daves esl cafe it has area specific job forums and they may be able to point you in the right direction.

Also have a look at international school reviews. You have to pay to look at specific reviews but in my opinion this is money well spent as it can give you a heads up on what the school is like.
Also TIE The International Educator may also be worth a look.

I second the idea of looking for work in international schools but normally you have to commit for 2 years to begin with. Consider registering with Search Associates, CIS or ISS if you are interested in this. The job hiring season is about to begin for jobs beginning July/August 2011. In the upper echelon schools you can make excellent money with accommodation and airfares usually included.

There are a lot of ways to work and travel your way around the world. I agree, dont pay for a job. Plenty of people making a mint off that when you can get all the info for free on the web. I would say, plan on working in your current job for at least another year. During that time you can do your research, decide where you CAN go, then of those places, decide where you want to go.

I have done a lot of research on this topic and here are some of my examples for ideas on how to work and travel your way around the world.

As for South America, I am sure there is plenty of translation work available. That seems obvious though.

Good luck and have fun.

Cheers!

Look for some posts on this branch by purpletreefrog who is a Math teacher in international schools. Besides paying reasonably well, they allow for various vacations, provide benefits and every couple of years you can move to a new location if that's what you want.

Ruth

you can easy to find a chance to be a teacher in international school in VietNam, my country. The salary also living cost are very reasonable for foreigner have job here. Vietnam has many nice destination for your discovering.

Just adding my voice to the chorus. If you want to WORK overseas (and it will be work) then international teaching is a great way to do it.

You would need to commit for 2 years but you'll get decent money (if you are in a decent school), probably a lot more job satisfaction than you are used to and good holidays.

South America isn't the best place for earning decent cash in an International School but you'll earn more than you would in most other lines of work that you would be eligible for.

I'm biased but getting into international teaching was a great decision for me. I'm earning good money, there are jobs pretty much anywhere that I can apply for, it is building my career (as opposed to taking a year or two out) and I get about 14 weeks a year holiday which leaves a lot of time for travel (and there is also opportunity to explore the country you are living in on weekends etc).

Of course this is only applicable if you are interested in full time work overseas. In return for all the perks (I took a group of students to Mongolia and attended a workshop in Singapore last year) I certainly work much harder and longer hours than I would in a school back home. So it isn't really comparable to someone working 20 hours a week teaching ESL to earn beer money.

Oh and I'm not trying to imply that no ESL teachers work hard. But if you are planning to work hard as an ESL teacher then you might as well get a teaching job in a school.

I am living in Buenos Aires at the moment and I can tell you that the opportunities down here are limitless. You can teach english, work at a bar, do stuff online. I would recommend that you have a little money saved up to help with the getting down here and looking for a job part. A buddy of mine owns a restaurant and pays them under the table to avoid taxes so i dont think you will have a prob with that. You can even write articles for companies as I had a friend doing that down here as well. 10th largest city in the world and great places to live as well, you can prob find a decent place all utilities included for under 600 bucks. best of luck!

-marcello
http://www.wanderingtrader.com

Wow great suggestions guys! I'll definitely look into the International Schools. Thanks so much!

I'll just start browsing websites.

If you are serious about wanting to get into international schools you might have to consider going to a job fair.

Look at this organisation
or this one

If you are serious enough and prepared to spend a little cash this is probably worth checking out. You have to subscribe to read the reviews but you can post on the forums for free.

Another place that can be helpful is the tes website. It is free here and while it is more inclined towards British teachers there are a lot of jobs advertised there and there is a forum dedicated to teaching overseas which can be a useful place to ask questions.

I disagree with the idea that int'l schools don't pay much in S. America. Though I'm only thinking of Mexico, where I currently am. When I look at the salaries posted on davescafe.com for teachers in private schools, it's incredible for a poor country.

I agree with most everything else on here. Don't waste your money on a TEFL - you already have another skill and it's a waste of money anyway. Take time doing research - where do you want to go, exactly what grade do you want to teach, what do you want to teach, how much can you live on, etc. Most schools will pay for your visa and housing too! There's a ton of info out there. Google forums for whatever area/country you're interested in.

I disagree with the idea that int'l schools don't pay much in S. America. Though I'm only thinking of Mexico, where I currently am. When I look at the salaries posted on davescafe.com for teachers in private schools, it's incredible for a poor country.

Read what I said.

South America isn't the best place for earning decent cash in an International School but you'll earn more than you would in most other lines of work that you would be eligible for.

I agree that you'll earn more in an International School in S. America than you would in many other lines of work there however compared to what you can make in other parts of the world (and I'm talking about what you can save so living expenses are accounted for) it isn't high.

Thanks for the links. I'll start spending some good time and look into these. I noticed that a lot of schools have fairs or other deadlines around December or January. Seems like I gotta get my life together and get moving!!

Any specific recommendations about which country to go to in South America? I lived for a year in Costa Rica so I speak Spanish, and I spent 3 weeks in Peru. What appeals to me so far is Argentina or Chile. My only hold backs for Argentina are the diet... I'm not a huge fan of meat. But it's got to be possible to get veggies, right?

But it's got to be possible to get veggies, right?

Wrong. There are plenty of places that sell fresh vegetables, Italian good, etc.

Two schools to look at are the Lincoln School in Buenos Aires and Nido de Aguilas in Santiago.

Ruth

Not wrong! Right.