Living in Chile can be a great experience for any expat. Moreover, this country has not only modern infrastructure but also one of the most stable economies across South America. Foreigners from all over the world are therefore seeking employment in Chile. Many Americans, Brits, Australians, and Canadians are taking up English-teaching jobs in this nation. In fact, if you are passionate about teaching, the English language or traveling, this may be the ideal job for you.Read on to find out about the various advantages and disadvantages of teaching English in Chile.
Pros
Ample Opportunity: As the relationship between the US and Chile gets stronger, more Chileans feel the urge to learn English. This includes school-going students as well as professionals. People of all ages are now signing up for additional English courses. As an English teacher, you can choose to join a language institute or seek employment with a school/ university. You could also work as a freelancer and take up teaching assignments for individuals or groups. The best time to start looking for a teaching job in Chile is February or March.
The Pay: Most of the teaching institutes pay an average of anywhere between 3000 Chilean Pesos (US$ 4.27, € 3.82, £ 2.82) and 5500 Pesos (US$ 7.98, € 7.13, £ 5.17) per hour, depending upon their size and location. Private English teachers earn anywhere between 7000 Chilean Pesos (US$ 9.98, € 8.91, £ 6.57) and 10000 Pesos (US$ 14.26, € 12.74, £ 9.39) per hour. If you are a highly skilled and experienced teacher you can charge a lot more. Some expats also teach English in addition to their regular jobs, just to make a bit of extra money.
Plenty To See And Do: Most schools and institutes offer teachers around 30 hours of work per week, which gives them a lot of time to travel and explore the place. Chile has a fascinating history, numerous tourist attractions and a lively nightlife. If you like to be outdoors, you’ll absolutely love this country. It is often referred to as Hiker’s Paradise since more than 80% of the country has been classified as mountainous; the engaging walking trails usually give way to picturesque lakefront or oceanfront areas. Many of the locals are avid sports and fitness enthusiasts. You can get involved in many activities ranging from sailing to skiing to football.
Cons
Employment Terms & Conditions: While there is a demand for native English-speaking teachers in this country, the employment procedure can be quite lengthy and complicated. Some schools may conduct the initial screening rounds over the phone and internet but will require you to travel to Chile at your own expense for a personal interview, before making a job offer. Moreover, English teachers rarely get accommodation, even if they are from overseas. To make ends meet you’ll probably have to share an apartment with other expats or coworkers. You could consider staying with a local host family to reduce boarding and lodging costs.
Certification: Some of the small institutes may allow you to teach English without formal certification. However, the reputed organizations will only offer you an assignment or a job if you have a CELTA or TEFL certificate. While a BA or B. Ed Degree isn’t required, it is preferred by most schools and universities. Also, most places prefer hiring teachers with some prior experience.
Cost Of Living: Unlike some of the other South American nations, living costs in Chile can be quite high. The expenses in this country are generally lower than Europe and the US. However, certain services and commodities cost a lot more as compared to the neighboring countries. This is especially true in case of food and traveling. Most English teachers don’t manage to save anything, even when leading a fairly simple lifestyle.
Some English teachers also believe that career opportunities for them are limited. However, that isn’t necessarily the case. If you think that teaching English in Chile is your calling, you could consider opening your own language training institute after a while.
The work culture of Chile could be another pro or con, depending upon your outlook towards the place as well as your personality.
Can we improve this article? Something wrong? Let us know in the comments.