Q: How do I secure a teaching job before I get to Chile?
A: In two words: you don't. You come down here with your resume and hand it out around Santiago at the different institutes. In general institutes don't want to hire you until they know you're here.
Q: But that's really scary. Are you sure?
A: Yes. Although if you really hate the idea of that, you can come through a program. Do a simple Google search and you'll find them, guaranteed. However, you basically have to pay a large sum of money for them to find you a job. It's the right approach for some people, but trust me, you can find a job without them.
I do suggest that you bring enough money with you to survive for a month without working. Although it is relatively easy to find teaching jobs, Chileans can be slow about things, and it may take some time.
Q: But what if an Institute promises me a job while I'm still in the US?
A: Beware. Those are really low paying jobs.
Q: What time of year should I arrive?
A: I suggest coming in late February or early March. That's when Chile's academic year starts, and when most Institutes are hiring. That being said, you can absolutely find jobs other times of the year, it just might be slower. I don't recommend coming in December or January, as Chilean summer starts then and Institutes aren't really hiring, because all their students go on vacation.
Q: How much should I expect to make?
A: That really depends on the time of year, the institute you work at, how many private classes you have, etc. In the majority of cases, you'll earn enough to survive plus some. I wouldn't plan on being able to pay off any student loans with a high monthly payment, though, unless you are a really good budget-er or have savings.
Q: How do I get a work visa?
A: Your employer should help you with this. If your place of work isn't willing to offer you a contract so you can get a visa, don't accept the job. That is, unless you like traveling to Mendoza every three months. You can also check out the Extranjeria website. I'm not going to post an exhaustive step by step here, because if I forget something then you'll get mad at me.
Q: Do I need a TEFL?
A: That's up to you. You can get jobs without a TEFL. However, I personally can't imagine teaching without at least having some basic idea of teaching methodology. That being said, if you're a teacher in the US (or wherever you live), you're all set.
Q: How much do apartments cost in Santiago?
A: Good news! Housing is way cheaper here than in the US. It does depend on where you live, but I would say budget between $300-$450 US per month. You can find cheaper housing if you rent a room or share an apartment with roommates.
Q: What's the best part of teaching English?
A: The students. See this post.
Q: What's the worst part?
A: The schedule. See this post.
Q: How easy is it to get private classes? How much do you charge?
A: It wasn't hard for me to find private classes, but I had quite a few connections here from studying abroad and my host family. My advice is to ask other teachers at the institute you end up working at if they know of anyone who wants private classes. Also, just tell everyone you meet that you're an English teacher and I bet people will ask you to give them or their cousin or their brother in law classes. Be careful when accepting students you have previously taught at your Institute, because many Institutes put what is essentially a "non-compete" clause in your contract. Be sure you understand their policy. My prices vary depending on location, level and basically how much of a previous connection I have to the student. The least I've ever charged was $8.000/hour to a friend of mine, and the most I've charged is $15.000/hour to a businessman I hardly knew (who could obviously afford to pay).
Q: Will you tell us the name of the institute where you work? Pretty please?
A: Nope. Send me an email if you must know, but I obviously like to keep that on the DL.
Q: I'm not a native English speaker, can I work as an English teacher in Santiago?
A: Yes, absolutely. There are certain Institutes that don't accept non-native speakers, but there are plenty that do. E-mail me if you want more information.
