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teaching english in colombia
"Colombia has many cities, like Bogota, Medellin, Cali. The whole year we have
nice warm weather in Medellin, Cali, Pereira, Armenia. People are very friendly,
we have nice restaurants, hotels, museums, especially in Bogota which is a big
city with 7 million people. Our level of universities is good and we have some
very good ones. The political and economical situation of the country is much
better than some years ago. We still have security problems, especially in some
rural areas and towns but if you take care of yourself and don't go by certain
roads you can manage the situation.
You can find private schools that are very interested in EFL teachers but you
need a TESOL or EFL certificate and a bachelor degree to get a good salary and
benefits.
We have a beautiful country with mountains, two coasts and around the year very
good climate, we are very friendly and we have a good hospitality."
Anonymous, 24/02/07
"Colombia is divided into various different cultural regions. We have the coast
region on the Atlantic. We have the Eje Cafetero (the coffee axis), the bogota
area (the capital), the Llanos area (the prairie, cowboys) and the santanderes
area (near the venezuelan border). There is also the Narino area which is near
Ecuador (mainly american natives).
The coast area is very, very nice. Think Caribbean islands. The people there
are, like in the rest of colombia, very nice and warm. They all want you to try
new food and insist on it. They like to treat you everytime you go out with
them. They are, mostly, heavy drinkers and would stop working if there is a
carnival going on. The whole city would stop working. The banks do not open
between 12 to 2 pm on regular basis.
There is work for ESL teachers in this area. There are some very nice bilingual
High schools mainly for rich kids. Everything is very cheap if you are getting
paid in dollars. But if they pay you in pesos, then things are a little bit more
expensive. It is, however, difficult to find a school that would agree to pay
teachers in dollars.
The water is good but there is a problem with common colds. So if you travel to
this area you need to get all of your shots.
So if you are game for good scuba diving, palm trees, salsa music and hot
weather... The Colombian coast is for you. I would say Cartagena is great, Santa
Marta is nice and Barranquilla is OK.
The Coffee axis is beautiful. No ocean there though. But gorgeous mountains and
beautiful people. Most of the main cities have cold climates. But I mean the
coldest say... a spring day in Washington DC.
Medellin is the best. Great bilingual schools, very warm people. The "paisas"
(say: pie-sads, not an insult) are famous for being entrepenours, smart and
driven. No problems there except the usual problems you find in a big
cosmopolitan.
Bogota is cold. I mean that. Big big city. Lots and lots of money. A lot of
opportunities but it rains most of the year and the people are not as warm. And
it is HUGE. 7 million people give or take another million. Nice if you like big
cities. The foreigner community is very big. From all over the world. There are
some seriously fine schools there. I mean, private schools that charge 1500
dollars a month tuitions to the students. Teachers get good money there. CARS
CARS CARS, BUSES BUSES BUSES. You know the deal. But it is well organized and it
is cool. Not my thing but that's just me.
Santander is nice. It is like the south of the USA. Take away the chewing
tobacco and there you have it. No racism though. They don't know of that sort of
thing. Colombia is a race meltin pot where nobody knows differences of color.
Bucaramanga, where I live, is nice. Perfect size so that you still can find
anything you might need but without the hassle of a big city. It is not too far
from the caribbean coast which is a plus. River rafting, parapente and cave
exploration is the thing here.
Narino is OK if you like the "machu pitchu" deal with american indians and all
that. The guerillas are reduced to these areas so, I would inquire a bit before
taking a job in that area.
Things are much better now but, please, PLEASE, do not tell anyone how much
money you dad makes or your rich aunt or anything like that, the communist
guerrillas are reduced to almost nothing now but there are still some around.
Play low and enjoy one of the most beautiful countries in the world. I mean it.
Posted by German Morales, 19/02/07
Teach English in Colombia: Grappling with Grammar, Gold, Guns, and Guayaba
By Larry M Lynch
Americans avoid Colombia for good reasons. A virtual civil war has been waged
for nearly 40 years. Rates of crime and violence are among the world's highest.
And then there's the "drug problem." Why would anyone consider coming here to
teach English?
"I came because a friend who was working in Cali liked it here and recommended
it," says Glenn Yates, a teacher now in his second year at a bilingual school.
Tired of Canada's frigid winters, he fled to a land of year-round warm weather
and an even warmer welcome.
Colin Jacobs, weary of gloomy days and drizzle, found his way to teaching
English in Cali from his native England more than 20 years ago and hasn't left
since. "I don't think I could live in London again," he says. "After adjusting
to the near-perfect weather, the food, and the easy-going lifestyle here, I'm
not really keen to go back. I'm spoiled for life."
So am I. Hundreds of varieties of flowers perfume the air, even in winter.
Pantries abound with exotic fruits like Guayaba and Carambolo. The year-long
growing season allows papayas to reach nearly the size of watermelons; mangoes
can weigh up to two pounds each. Colombia's strong, black coffee, considered the
world's richest, is served everywhere.
But Is It Safe?
There are problems, yes, but not of "run-screaming-to-the-hills" intensity. Most
conflicts occur in the countryside. While this can make inter-city travel risky
at times, residents inside major cities like Bogota, Cali, and Medellin feel
little impact and live quite normally. Adjusting to power failures, phone or
water outages, and rainy season flooding is more of a nuisance than
life-threatening. Larger cities are reasonably well policed and usually safe, if
you're careful.
Drugs? Most illicit production is for export, so, except for warring drug
factions in the coca-growing areas, there's not much everyday impact. During
major holidays the government steps up military patrols of principal highways
and vacation resort areas to insure protection and safer travel for vacationers.
Quality of Life
Cali, with two million residents, is known as the "Salsa capital of the world,"
rivaling Cuba. The two largest shopping malls house multi-cinema complexes
featuring first-run U.S. films in English with Spanish subtitles. English
publications are readily available at bookstores and newsstands. Material in
English can be borrowed free from the Universidad Santiago de Cali and for a $3
annual fee from the Centro Cultural Colombo Americano. The Municipal Theatre,
Tertulia Arts Complex, and Jorge Isaacs Theatre offer regular productions in
Spanish. Ethnic restaurants specializing in Latin American and Mediterranean
cuisines continually tempt Caleño palettes. Holiday celebrations take place
year-round. Check them out online at www.holiday festival.com/ Colombia.html.
You will never be bored in Cali.
Jobs
Native-speaking English teachers are scarce here. Salaries reflect the high
demand. Most teaching positions require an applicant to be a native speaker of
English and have a university degree. A teaching certificate and some experience
are a definite plus. Work is available at bilingual colegios, language
institutes, and universities. Sending out a dozen or so resumes in English
should land you half that number of interviews, culminating in several
on-the-spot job offers.
No hablas español? Interviews are typically in English, but as a working
resident you'll likely want to pick up more than just tourist Spanish. The
Universidad Santiago de Cali and the Pontifica Universitaria Javeriana have
Spanish programs for foreigners. Berlitz (www.berlitz.com) has offices in Cali
with Spanish classes. A private tutor is fairly easy to come by. "It hasn't been
a problem to find someone to help me when I need something done in Spanish,"
said Glen Yates, who, with his limited Spanish, has found Colombians to be very
friendly and sociable.
So, don't worry needlessly about the news reports. Call, write, or email the
schools and institutes to get a feel for their needs and requirements. Check out
the web sites. Assemble your diplomas, certificates, and reference letters.
Don't forget to collect materials like maps, postcards, flyers, magazines, and
memorabilia from your hometown. These will be invaluable for your conversations
with students.
Prof Larry M. Lynch is a bi-lingual copywriter, expert author and
photographer specializing in business, travel, food and education-related
writing in South America. His work has appeared in Transitions Abroad, South
American Explorer, Escape From America, Mexico News and Brazil magazines. He
teaches at a university in Cali, Colombia. To get original, exclusive articles
and content for your newsletter, blog or website contact him for a no-obligation
quote and current rates. For free information on the 5-week online course
"Develop a Specialty and Get Published on the Web for Fun, Fame or Fortune"
e-mail your request to:
lynchlarrym@gmail.com
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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In addition to providing travel and accommodation options to suit a range of
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to Colombia.
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