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Chile, "the land where the earth ends" ,is a long and very narrow country bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the north by Peru, and separated from Bolivia and Argentina by the steep and rugged Andes Mountains. Politically and economically, Chile is considered one of the most stable countries in Latin America, and with recent educational reform and a push for English in schools, opportunities to teach EFL are abundant. Furthermore, Chile-U.S relations are “better now than at any time in history” (U.S. Department of State), making travel to the country relatively easy. Before traveling, however, and perhaps even periodically while in the country, its advisable to check any updated travel alerts or warnings regarding Chile with the Department Bureau of Consular Affairs , and to register with the State Department before traveling and residing abroad.
Of Chile’s roughly 15 million inhabitants nearly half live in and around the capital, Santiago. With that said, the vast majority of EFL teaching opportunities (though not all) will be found in the capital. The school year in Chile runs from March through October, so the best time to apply is between November and January (Chile’s summer). Be aware that most Chileans take holiday for the month of February, so getting in touch with directors and hiring committees may be difficult, if not impossible, during that time. It is also recommended that you avoid signing a teaching contract before getting to Chile. Many program directors prefer face-to-face interviews over email communication, and it is widely agreed that it is easier overall to find a job once in the country (SouthAmerica.cl)
The majority of private language programs are aimed at teaching conversational and business English for specific purposes to adults. Many also offer exam preparation (i.e. GRE, TOEFL, TOEIC) and are official testing centers. In general, you should expect private institutes to pay anywhere from $3.000 to $6.000 Chilean pesos per hour (click here for a currency converter).
Before making a commitment to work with a particular institute, it would be wise to determine how much planning time is expected of teachers outside the classroom (usually unpaid), and how much commuting and traveling you will be expected to do (also unpaid). Some business-English programs, for example, expect their teachers to travel from business to business and very few reimburse for this added cost. TEFL certification (CELTA or MA-TESOL) is becoming more and more desirable for employment with many private institutes; however, it is still not a requirement for employment with the majority of private programs. Exceptions to this rule are large international EFL institutes like the Walstreet Institute School of English and Berlitz, both of which have higher recruitment standards, and teach from their own model as well. Some programs, like Bridge TEFL for example, offer teachers TEFL certification along with in-country job placement assistance as part of a recruitment package.
In addition to teaching with private institutes, tutoring and volunteering are also great ways to teach EFL in Chile. As for tutoring, there are many venues in which to advertise your services including posting an ad on Craigslist Chile and/or in a local newspaper or magazine, like Mejores Datos. An advantage of tutoring over, or in addition to, working for a private institution is the ability to charge more for your services (typically up to $10.000 pesos/hour); however, make sure to check with your employer first to make sure that private tutoring wouldn’t constitute a conflict of interest.
While the majority of private institutes and tutoring positions are targeted at teaching EFL to adults, volunteering provides opportunities to teach EFL to children and to make a difference! Chile’s English Opens Doors program (EOD) was established in 2005 by the Chilean Ministry of Education and the United Nations Development Program to recruit native English speakers to co-teach EFL classes of children in some Chile’s most rural and remote areas, including southern Patagonia. Volunteers must be at least 21, have a bachelor’s degree, and a basic level of Spanish. All volunteers go through a short TEFL certification course and a Spanish language class, and are placed with host families. Several Chile-based programs are authorized to recruit volunteers for EOD, including Bridge TEFL, Alliance Abroad, and Cultural Embrace.
United States residents traveling to Chile for travel or business must have a valid passport to enter the country. Once at the Port of Entry, you’ll need to fill out a Tourist Card which allows you to stay for 90 days, and pay a one-time Reciprocity Fee of roughly $100-$131. This fee is valid for the life of your passport, so don’t lose it! The Tourist Visa, in many cases, is sufficient for employment with many private institutes. Others, however, require a valid work visa. For updated information on additional visa requirements, visit the Embassy of Chile.
Generally speaking, unless you volunteer for an EFL program like English Opens Doors that arranges for teacher home-stays, you should expect to make your own housing arrangements. Luckily, there are a plethora of resources for hostels, rooms for rent, and apartments for rent on the internet. As for cost of living, housing costs can range anywhere from $240 Chilean pesos per month to $800 pesos depending upon the circumstances.
Not unlike other countries, much of the crime in Chile is centered in large urban centers, but it is limited to petty crime and theft. Keep your valuables, and even things you don’t think appear that valuable, hidden away, and out of view if you have a car. For more information on safety during every step of your travels in Chile, visit Contact Chile.
Finding a job in Chile should be fun! The demand is high, the people are friendly, and the country is absolutely beautiful – so make sure to set aside time to learn the language (before and during your trip), and travel the country while you’re there!
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21st Century English Academy – Puerto Montt
Started in 1989 to teach EFL to fishing (import/export) industry. Utilize communicative and functional methods with a focus on developing oral language skills.
Website links to Blog with photos and further information.
ACPEN Academy
EFL for adults and businesses, with focus on “New Century” methodology. Offer courses in private residences, at the academy, and at businesses.
Alief Academia de Lenguas - Santiago
Offer classes in English, French, Portuguese Spanish and others to adults and businesses.
Alliance Abroad Group – EOD Recruiter
Authorized to recruit for EOD program for Chilean students and teachers to practice English with native English speakers. Approximately 35 volunteer placements available.
Anglia Institute of Languages and Language Consultants – Antofagasta
Established in 1995, offer EFL training and translation services for individuals (children and adults) and businesses in the region with specialization on immersion (8 hours/day, 5 days/week) and “one-to-one” courses.
Berlitz – Concepción
International EFL institute. Small group EFL for adults and businesses at the Berlitz academy in Concepción following the Berlitz model. Visit www.berlitz.com for employment opportunities.
BridgeTEFL – EOD Recruiter
Offer TEFL and CELTA certification, placement and assistance in Santiago. Accredited with over 20 years of experience training students and teachers. Authorized to recruit volunteers for EOD.
Chilean Language Institute (Instituto Chileno de la Lengua [ICHIL]) – Santiago
Offer individual and small-group courses in several languages including EFL. Four levels of classes (90 hours each), at an institute in Santiago.
Competent Language Institute – Santiago
EFL for: conversation, business, and specific purposes at the institute or at businesses. Utilize communicative “Follow Up” methodology for teaching RLSW skills. Also offer translation services and debate, music, and music sessions.
Comunicorp – Santiago
Individual and small group EFL classes for children, adults and businesses. Business English Diploma in alliance with Andrés Bello University. Immersion, one-on-one, conversation, and speech therapy courses.
Cultural Embrace – Regions III & IV (Atacama and Coquimbo)
Sponsored by Chilean Ministry of Education and UN Development Program to teach Chilean children. Includes TEFL Cert, room and board, stipend, and more.
English Alive Institute – Santiago
British owned and operated for 30 years. EFL for small groups of adults and children with focus on language learning through creativity, audiovisual, communicative and functional methods. Also offer workshops for English teachers.
English First - Santiago
EFL for children, adolescents, adults and businesses. Specialize in language training, educational tours and cultural exchange. Courses all over the world. Available jobs: http://www.eftours.com/careers/index.html
English for Chile (Ingles para Chile)
Offer degrees in translation and interpretation as well as four levels of EFL courses through “English for Chile”.
English Opens Doors Program
Developed in 2005 by the Chilean Ministry of Education and the UN Development Program to connect local children with native English speakers (volunteer).
Fulbright Chile: Teaching Assistantship Program
International fellowship program promoting the exchange of scholars. Rigorous application process.
Global Choices – Teaching English in Chile
Volunteer to teach English to children and while you learn about Chilean culture and customs.
Global South Language Center – Concepción
Established in 2001, offer EFL for adults with focus on conversation, business or academic English. Utilize communicative methods of teaching, with focus on personalized attention and group interaction.
InBusiness: Training with International Certification – Santiago
Individual and small group courses in EFL and Spanish. Also an official TOEIC Test Center.
Instituto Chileno Británico de Cultura - Concepción
Offer “authentic” British English classes for children, adolescents and adults. Courses in conversational and business English, and authorized ESOL examinations with University of Cambridge.
Instituto Chileno Norteamericano de Cultura – Santiago
Established in 1938, EFL with focus on North American language and culture, in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy and University of Chile. Courses for children, adolescents, and adults as well as exam preparation courses.
nternational Center Language School – Viña del Mar
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EFL and Spanish for individuals (conversational) and businesses (tourism, telecommunications, administration) as well as translation/interpretation services and TOEFL/TOEIC preparation courses.
Language Academy of the North (Academia de Idiomas del Norte) - Iquique
Founded in 1980 by Swiss owner. EFL as well as other language instruction. Private and small group classes for children, adults, business, and English for specific purposes.
LanguageCorps Chile
Program includes intensive on-site TESOL certification program and practice (volunteer) teaching with local institutions in Chile.
Manpower Center of Language Studies - Concepción
Institute with focus on human resources and language, for over 44 years. EFL for adults and businesses with focus on English conversation and technology.
Natalislang – Santiago and Valparaiso
EFL (and other languages) courses since 1987. Use the “Approach at first glance” method, directed at providing students with basic conversational skills as fast as possible. Offer volunteer, internship opportunities. Information on Chile and Chilean slang.
National Volunteer Center – EOD Recruiter
Sponsored by the Chilean Ministry of Education, information on the EOD program, volunteering, internships and how to apply.
Polyglot-Mitford - Santiago
Over 16 years of experience offering courses in several languages including EFL. 50 English teachers with TEFL background are hired each year. Send CV to application@polyglot.cl
Sam Marsalli Institute - Santiago
Variety of EFL courses for children and adults for over 30 years including: Fast track, mini-English, Advanced, and personalized classes lasting anywhere from day-long to 9-months. Also offer on-line English courses. Hire Native North American speakers as teachers, no experience necessary.
Soothing Words Language Institute – Santiago
EFL courses (and other languages) and translation services. EFL for adult (individual and small group) and businesses. 45-hour modules with native language speakers.
Specific English Training (SET) – Santiago
Adult EFL courses for: secretaries and receptionists, presentations, reports, correspondence, corporations, tourism, and more.
Tandem Santiago School of Languages and Training – Santiago
EFL (and other languages) courses. Institute offers internships, lodging, excursions and tours. Classes are tailor-made for the students and held at institute and in private homes.
Teach Abroad
Comprehensive database of nationally recognized volunteer and paid TEFL positions by region as well as resources for teachers looking to live and work in Chile.
TeachingChile – Advancing English in Chile
Recruitment and placement company for EFL teachers that places teachers (paid) with reputable Chilean schools, arranges visas, housing, and more (cost $600 - $1200 US). Website also offers information about the EOD program as well as the Chilean Educational System and a Cost of Living Guide.
TEFL Academy
Offers 120-hour TEFL certification course with guarantee of job offer upon completion within Chile.
The English Workshop – Santiago
Training institute specializing in English, with English courses in: marketing, advertising, agriculture, accounting, law, and more. Intensive, total immersion, conversational and business English for adults with courses in Santiago, Canada, and the U.S. Official TOEIC Training and testing center.
Transitions Abroad
Information on teaching English in Chile including articles on tips for finding a job, guides to living and working in Chile, and volunteer opportunities.
Video: Glaciers and Gringos: Teach English in Patagonia (via EOD, BridgeTEFL)
Produced by BridgeTEFL, video provides overview of the EOD volunteer program in southern Chile
Wall Street Institute School of English - Santiago
Founded in 1972, the largest English Institute in Chile. Offer a wide variety of classes at their site and online, as well as TOEIC certification. Must have Chilean work visa. Link to job opportunities: http://www.wsi.cl/work.htm
WorldTeach – Teach in Chile
Nonprofit organization which places several hundred graduates of the program as volunteer teachers of EFL in several countries including Chile.
4Gringos
Video: English Opens Doors: Teach English in Chile Video (BridgeTEFL)
BBC News Country Profile: Chile
Overview of country’s economy, education, geography, and industry.
Chilean Embassy, Washington DC
Educational System, Ministry of Education, Political System, Culture and more.
CIA World FactBook
CIA factsheet on Chilean government, people, education, and more.
Concierge.com
Includes slide show of Chile, travel information and advice including where to go, where to stay, what to do, and maps.
Craigslist.org Chile
User-maintained classified ads for everything from apartments to jobs to free things in Chile.
Escape Artist
Information and advice on real estate, jobs, and living in Chile.
Expat Guide
Expat guide to eating and drinking in Chile.
Santiago Times
English language newspaper in Chile
South America: Teaching English in Chile
A collection of FAQs about teaching English in Chile gathered by website author’s personal experience.
The Lonely Planet: Chile
Overview of transportation, history, sights to see and more!
US Department of State: Chile
Thorough background information on Chile including geography, demographics, politics, economy, education and more.
Wikipedia: Chile
Chilean history, geography, climate, economy, people and politics.
WikiMedia: Atlas of Chile
A variety of historical, cultural, and topographic maps of Chile.
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Information shown on this website is the result of a collaborative effort by Dr. Rod E. Case and the EDS491/691 Special Topics in Teaching English
as a Second Language Class, Wintermester, 2007. |
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