Teaching English in Argentina

The following comments are from teachers who have taught, or are currently teaching, in Argentina. If you are a teacher and have some advice to share, please add it here.

A. Ryan Thompson on 10 January 2007

quote The elegance of Europe, the passion of South America. Buenos Aires is the most cosmopolitan city of South America. The world famous and amazing falls of Iguazu. The Northwest, the region of the mighty Aconcagua and the Train to the Clouds. Bariloche with its majestic mountains and lakes. And the wild and wondrous region of Patagonia. Travel to Argentina is an unforgettable journey. Teaching in job rich Argentina can be amazing, but there are a few good things to know before you arrive.

1. Remember that Summer is Winter aka the seasons are switched and most people don't realize this when they first think of travelling here.

2. Argentina is cheap, BUT, it is still relatively expensive in comparison to a place like Bolivia or Guatemala.

3. Call radio taxis, or only take a taxi with a company logo on it. The majority of times you will be fine, in fact most travellers will have no problems, but kidnappings do happen. They normally involve borrowing you and your credit card for a few hours to max it out and to request a little ransom. This is rare, but still... beware it is a reality here.

4. Get insurance. You can get insurance at local hospitals in Buenos Aires, Rosario, Mendoza, wherever, and it is cheap. It is full-coverage for about 140 pesos most places and that is usually better than the $50 US or 30 pounds sterling people are paying for just catastrophic.

5. Immerse yourself. I can't tell you how many people that visit want to "optimize" their time here with Spanish / TEFL / Gym / Phone / internet. My advice, relax. People here usually do not have email and they are much happier- go figure.

6. See the sights, but realize that most people that live in Argentina don't know too much outside of their barrios, or province. This is because there is so much other culture here that you FEEL. Just because you see some sights does not mean you know anything about them and thus haven't really experienced its "Chi" if you will. So hit up a used book store or bring your guide book, get a coffee, and read about culture and history here to absorb what you are taking part in.

7. If you have the time, go North, South, East, or West. Argentina is SO FULL of beauty and wonder, it would be a shame if a traveller who had the time to go to at least one natural wonder missed out on that opportunity.

8. Attend events: Go to a football game, a tennis match, a polo tournament, whatever. Argentina is into sports and outside activities like BBQs (asados). When in Rome...

9. Drink as much good wine as possible. I'm serious, it's here, see number 8 regarding "When in Buenos Aires..."

10. Call me, or visit our website for more tips and local immersion at the TEFL Taster Cafe for Argentina and advice for Latin America, tastercafe.com

Suerte!

A. Meta on 19 February 2007

quote Buenos Aires is a mixture of the cities of Paris, Rome and Madrid. It's one of the most sophisticated cities in Latin America, and very European. As any other city in the world tourists need to take precautions when going out, but nothing more serious than in any other cosmopolitan city. Just don't go out with your passport, or a lot of money. Public transport is quite good and very cheap. Regarding the taxis, the safest are the radio taxis which you can call at any time.

There is a lot of work for ESL teachers, as English is in demand for all those people who work for multinational companies.

It's not an expensive country, although it can be more expensive than those countries like Bolivia or Peru.

The South of Argentina is one of the most beautiful places to visit, with mountains, lakes, glaciars. Bariloche and Villa Langostura have landscapes very similar to Switzerland.

Life in Buenos Aires can be fun. There are lots of cafés, and people tend to go out a lot late in the evening. The food is fantastic, specially beef meat, the steaks are just delicious!!!

People from the provinces are quite different from those living in Buenos Aires. The pace in BA is quite like in New York, hectic, whereas in the provinces people tend to take it more slowly. However, we do take time to enjoy dinner in very good restaurants, going to the theater, etc.

Health insurance is not expensive, and the Argentine doctors are one of the best in South America.

If you need to keep in touch via internet, you can go to a LOCUTORIO, these are call centers where you can either make long distance calls or rent a PC for the hour in order to check your e-mails.

Travelling in Argentina can be an unforgettable experience.

Chaz Brockman on 20 April 2009

quote I'm teaching in Buenos Aires now. Don't be fooled by the adverts from the TEFL schools. There is work but its badly paid and you will struggle to make ends meet. Infact most of the students from my TEFL course have gone home out of pocket. Its OK if you have some back up cash and you're in it for the experience. Buenos Aires is not a good place to be penniless in so be warned.