The Latin American Job List: Teach English in the Caribbean, Central and South America

Tips of the Trade

2008-06-27T19:00:00.001-05:00

If you're looking for jobs, go to The LA Job List.

Introduction
I've been teaching for a while now and try as often as possible to help out people new to TEFL or new to Latin America. Below are some articles that may help you make the transition to living in Latin America. If you have any suggestions on what topics to add, please email me at naturegirl321@yahoo.com

*Coming in August 2008*
Learning the Local Lingo
Peruvian Cities to Settle Down In

Getting Started
● What’s the Best Country to Teach English In?
● Choosing a TEFL Course
● Writing a Teaching Cover Letter
● Writing a Teaching CV
● Using Connections to Get a Great Job
● The Interview and Demo Lesson
● Things to Consider Before Accepting a Job

● Know Before You Go
● What To Do Upon Arrival
● Working Holiday Visas and Short-term Jobs*NEW - June 2008*
● Moving to Another Country*NEW July 2008*
● Dealing with Culture Shock*NEW July 2008*

Teacher Training
● Choosing a TEFL Training Programme
● Why You Should Attend Conferences
● Making a Career Out of TEFLing

Teaching Tips
● Learning about TEFL and Teaching
● Teaching Tips in General
● Living in a Foreign Country
● Sites for Lesson Planning
● Teaching Beginners
● Teaching Young Students
● Maintaining Discipline*NEW - June 2008*
● Teaching Large Classes
● Teaching Mixed Level Classes*NEW - July 2008*

Money Matters
● Using the Internet to Make Money Online
● Ideas for Supplementing Your Teaching Salary (private classes, translations, etc)
● Teaching Online
● Getting a Good Paying Job*NEW - June 2008*

TEFLing in Latin America
●Interview: The Latin America Job list and TEFL Tips in ELT World Horizons Journal, Issue 3, page 37
● The LA Job Guru in Movers and Shakers in TEFL News
● Finding Cheap Flights to Latin America
● Teach in Latin America
● Respectful Travel: Look Mommy, A Gringo! in Boots N All *NEW - June 2008*

Guides to Peru
● The Ultimate Guide to Teaching in Peru in Transitions Abroad.
● A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru.
● Breaking into the TEFL Market in Peru
● The Little Black Book of English Institutes in Peru
● Destination Peru in TEFL News
● Contributed to The Peru Guide Book in Vive Travel Guides
● Virtually Expats: Forums about Peru
● Lima on 500 dollars a month - Peru, South America in Boots N All
● Peruvian Food and Drinks
● Hitting the Markets in Lima
● Conferences and Training in Peru*NEW July 2008*

Submit your tip
I'm always looking for good tips or links to add to the site. So if you have one, email me at naturegirl321@yahoo.com and I'll put your name next to the link or tip that you send me.

Prevent Piracy
A lot of time and effort has gone into writing TEFL Tips. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission.

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.

Prevent Piracy
A lot of time and effort has gone into making The LA Job List. I have been gathering info about schools and making lists so you can easily find a teaching job in Latin America. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission.

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.

Conferences and Training in Peru

2008-06-27T08:38:00.002-05:00

Teachers in Peru enjoy going to training events as they can learn about the latest techniques as well as meet other teachers. There are plenty of events to go to and you should try to go to a couple of a year. Although most of them are in Lima, there are a couple in the provinces. Many teachers are also part of professional affiliations. These may offer newsletters or discounts to training sessions. They will also tell you about upcoming events. Try looking at the following for more information. Peru Teacher Network, Asociacion Peruana de Profesores de Ingles, The British Council’s ELTeCS, Sociedad de Profesores de Ingles del Peru, Perú-TESOL , Asociacion Nacional de Profesores de Idiomas (ANPI) and The British Council’s ELTeCS yahoo group.

There are places that offer training sessions throughout the year. Some of these are Universidad de Cesar Vallejo, APPI, Macmillan, Longman, Británico, and Camelot. The best thing to do is check on their websites and see when their next event is.

Other places have set annual events and these usually occur towards the end of the year. However, in January APPI holds its summer intensive course. In June: Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola has its annual congresses. In July: ICPNA and APPI have their annual conferences. There are three conferences in August: TESOL-Perú, Camelot Training Centre, and ADECOPA. In October, the Pontifica Universidad Católica del Perú hosts its conference and in November there are four annual conferences: ANPI (anpiperu@gmail.com), San Marcos, Santillana, and ELTeCS-UK Camelot Teacher Training Center.

So the next time a training event comes up, take the plunge and go to one, You’ll get great ideas and be able to network as well.

Getting a Good Paying Job

2008-05-30T00:13:00.000-05:00

Although many will try to tell you that you'll never get a good paying job by teaching English, they're out there. It's just up to you to find them.

● Nix chain schools. They usually have a high turnover and set levels, so it will be hard to find a good paying job here, In addition, you'll usually be working long hours for little pay.
● Get qualifications and experience. If you plan on making TEFL a career, the more experience and qualifications you can get, the better chance you'll have of getting a high paying teaching positions. And don't forget about attending congresses, workshops, and conferences. Getting articles published and giving workshops will also help.
● Ask for it. Institutes want great teachers. Although they usually offer teachers similar salaries, asking for a higher salary or more benefits is often to your advantage. Of course, you'll have to deserve it and be willing to give and take, but most places are willing to pay more to have a good teacher who will give their institute a good name and bring in students.
● Connections are key. Teachers move around and good jobs come up all the time, they're just not often advertised. By being in the know, you'll find out who's leaving and when to apply.
● Don't forget about benefits. Although some places don't want to pay more, they can make up for it in benefits. Long vacations, better teaching hours, gym membership, or language lessons are just a few benefits you could ask for if they're not willing to pay more.

Submit your tip
I'm always looking for good tips or links to add to the site. So if you have one, email me at naturegirl321@yahoo.com and I'll put your name next to the link or tip that you send me.

Prevent Piracy
A lot of time and effort has gone into writing TEFL Tips. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission.

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.

Ordering

2008-01-19T18:42:00.001-05:00

Ordering is as easy as 1-2-3

STEP ONE
Choose which item(s) you want from the list below, and then click on the Paypal logo on the right to make your payment.

STEP TWO
Email me at naturegirl321@yahoo.com and let me know what you've ordered and please let me know how you found out about The LA Job List.
*Important* If you do not email me stating which Set(s) you would like to receive, Set(s) will be chosen for you.

STEP THREE
Upon verification of your Paypal payment, I will email you your order, and you'll be on your way to a finding a teaching position in Latin America.

Job Lists are 9.95 USD each or 15.95 USD for 2 Sets
● Set One-166 listings total
Argentina 108 and Chile 5

● Set Two-155 listings total
Bolivia 12, Brazil 117, Paraguay 7, and Uruguay 19

● Set Three-118 listings total
Colombia 57 and Venezuela 61

● Set Four-150 listings total
Costa Rica 25, Dominican Republic 20, El Salvador 6, Guatemala 12, Honduras 14, Mexico 35, Nicaragua 8, Panama 23, Puerto Rico 7

● Set Five-133 listings total
Ecuador 42 and Peru 91

Guides to Peru
● A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru is 11.95 USD
● The Peru Pack (A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru plus the Peru job listings is 15.95 USD

Prevent Piracy
A lot of time and effort has gone into making The LA Job List. I have been gathering info about schools and making lists so you can easily find a teaching job in Latin America. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission .

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.

NEW A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru

2008-01-18T22:42:00.002-05:00

Index
● Looking for jobs? Go to The LA Job List.

From the author of The Ultimate Peru List comes the new ebook, A Country Guide to Teaching in Peru

Come teach in Peru and you'll get the chance to teach in a far off exotic location that has it all: sunny coast, steamy jungle and breath-taking mountains. Few and far between jobs are advertised in Peru because jobs are the best kept secret among teachers. Included in this guide are top Peruvian schools from all over the country at so you too can find a teaching position in Peru.

Why is this a good buy?A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru will give you an overview of the TEFL market, the basics about teaching in Peru, how to move up the career ladder, visas info, what to know before you arrive, settling in to life in Peru, practicalities, tourism, common problems and solutions, the cost of living plus tons of links that will tell you more about what it’s like to TEFL in Peru.

Special Introductory Price-Get the Peru Pack Save 25% when you buy the Peru Pack for only 15.95 USD. The Peru Pack comes with A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru + the Peru set of job listings.

Buy A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru for only 11.95 USD-Special Introductory Price.

Product Details PDF 60 pages
A4 page size

Prevent Piracy A lot of time and effort has gone into making The LA Job List. I have been gathering info about schools and making lists so you can easily find a teaching job in Latin America. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission.

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.

Contact and Credits

2008-01-18T21:58:00.002-05:00

Email
Sharon at naturegirl321@yahoo.com

Advertise
If you would like to advertise on this site, email and ask for the current rates.

Send feedback
Let us know what you think.

Add a school
If you know of a school, institute, or university that should be added to the list or notice any contact information that is out of date, please let me know so that I can update it.

Special thanks to
Evan Couzens, Copy Editor.
David Couzens, Director of Marketing.
Jaime Babineaux, for creating my banner.
Steve McElhinney, from Volunteer South America, for giving me tips on marketing.
Viva Travel Guides, for publishing part of my work.
Transitions Abroad, for publishing some of my articles.
Everyone who has put up my link or banner on their site.

Prevent Piracy
A lot of time and effort has gone into making The LA Job List. I have been gathering info about schools and making lists so you can easily find a teaching job in Latin America. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission.

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.

Reader Reviews

2008-01-18T21:52:00.007-05:00

Index
● If you're looking for jobs, please go to The LA Job List.
● Want information about teaching in Peru? Go to A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru.
● If you're looking for information about what to do before you arrive, go to the Know Before you Go section. If you want information about what to do after you arrive, go to the What To Do Upon Arrival section.

A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru
"Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!" Meghann W

"Just wanted to thank you for getting back to me so promptly. I also wanted to let you know that my school project was greatly helped by your TEFL guide for Peru. I am so glad you have posted and compiled so much information on Peru! As a future teacher, most likely in Peru, your blog, TEFL guide, little black book, posts on both expatperu and perujobbulletin are a goldmine. Please keep up the amazing work! Thank you again." Erin E.

"VERY well done! I like it - and it will be very worth someone's money to buy it." Ted K.

"Wow! That's an impressive book you have there." David C.

The LA Job List Sets
"Thanks so much for all the valuable information. It
has saved me hours of research! The information was presented in a thorough format. The information is worth ten times what I paid!" Michele Z, IL, USA

"The lists are very helpful and are always delivered in a timely manner." Sandeep Juneja, American TESOL Institute, USA.

"I just wanted to say thanks for your list of schools. Within days of contacting the schools on your list, I had multiple interviews, and now I have a job." Joshua L.

"Are there any versions of your LA Job List available for purchase now? There are no other halfway decent resources on the web." Kenny, from Dave's ESL Cafe, teaching in Peru.

"I hang out at Dave's and have been waiting for your list for a while and am delighted to be able to purchase. Thanks for getting the list done!" Stephanie, from Dave's ESL Cafe, teaching in Mexico.

"Thanks for all the great school info." tricia11, from Dave's ESL Cafe.

"You have provided a great place to start research." Cdaniels, from Dave's ESL Cafe, teaching in Mexico.

Prevent Piracy
A lot of time and effort has gone into making The LA Job List. I have been gathering info about schools and making lists so you can easily find a teaching job in Latin America. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission.

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.

What To Do Upon Arrival

2008-01-18T21:21:00.003-05:00

Index
● Below is information about teaching in Latin America, such as requirements, TEFL Training, how to write a CV and more.
● Looking for jobs? Go to The LA Job List.
● Want information about teaching in Peru? Go to A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru.
● If you're looking for information about what to do before you arrive, go to the Know Before You Go section.

Upon Arrival
Now that you're here, it's time to start interviewing. Wear professional clothes (no shorts, jeans, tank tops, or sandals) and go to the schools you contacted with your CV in hand. After interviewing you may have to do a short demo lesson, but don't worry, relax and smile.

Entering the Country
Each country has different visa rules for different nationalities. While some countries give tourist visas upon arrival, others may require you to get on beforehand. In addition, some countries require round-trip tickets or proof-of-funds before they let you on the plane or into the country. Check with the Embassy beforehand. You don't want to arrive only to have Immigrations refuse you entry.

Length of Stay
Again, it depends. Some countries allow only 180 days out of the year. Others give you 90 days, and then let you renew your visa for up to three months, and then have you leave the country. Others make you pay a fine if you overstay your visa.

Working on a Tourist Visa
It's not uncommon for people to work on tourist visas. Just don't tell the authorities that you are. If you are working on a tourist visa, you may have to border-hop every once in a while. You simply leave the country, stay in another one for a couple of days, and then re-enter and are given a new tourist visa that's good for X amount of days.

Or, if the country you are in fines people who overstay, you could just overstay your visa and pay the fine as you leave. It might be cheaper than border-hopping.

Getting a Work Visa
Primary and Secondary Schools are more likely to get you a work visa than other places, although universities will do so as well. Check with your employer about what you need to bring. Often you will need to get your original university degree Apostillised in your home country before.

Signing a Contract
After you've passed your interview and demo lesson, you will probably be asked to sign a contract. Make sure you read everything, including the fine print. Some places have "no compete" policies. This varies from school to school and can mean anything from not being able to teach at another school while you work for them, not being able to teach privates, or even not being able to teach in the same city for X months after you finish their contract. So make sure you ask questions about anything you don't understand.

Latin American Addresses
Alt. Altura: Near
Atrás Atrás: Behind
Av. Avenida: Avenue
C Calle: Street
CC Comercial Central: Shopping Centre
Cdra. Cuadra: Block
Cl Calle: Street
Cls Calles: Streets
Cnl Colonel: Colonel
Edf. Edificio: Building
En frente En frente: In front of
Entre Entre: Between
Esq Esquina: Corner
Este Este: East
Fco. Francisco: Francisco
La espalda La espalda: Behind
N Numero: Number
Nº Numero: Number
Norte Norte: North
Of Oficina: Office
Ofc Oficina: Office
Oeste Oeste: West
P Piso: Floor
Plza Plaza: Square
Pto Puerta: Door
R Rua: Street (Portuguese)
Sur Sur: South
Urb Urbanizacion: District
Torre Torre: Tower

Prevent Piracy
A lot of time and effort has gone into making The LA Job List. I have been gathering info about schools and making lists so you can easily find a teaching job in Latin America. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission.

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.

How to Order

2008-01-18T21:14:00.005-05:00

Ordering is as easy as 1-2-3

STEP ONE
Choose which item(s) you want from the list below, and then click on the Paypal logo on the right to make your payment.

STEP TWO
Email me at naturegirl321@yahoo.com and let me know what you've ordered and please let me know how you found out about The LA Job List.
*Important* If you do not email me stating which Set(s) you would like to receive, Set(s) will be chosen for you.

STEP THREE
Upon verification of your Paypal payment, I will email you your order, and you'll be on your way to a finding a teaching position in Latin America.

Job Lists are 9.95 USD each or 15.95 USD for 2 Sets
● Set One-166 listings total
Argentina 108 and Chile 5

● Set Two-155 listings total
Bolivia 12, Brazil 117, Paraguay 7, and Uruguay 19

● Set Three-118 listings total
Colombia 57 and Venezuela 61

● Set Four-150 listings total
Costa Rica 25, Dominican Republic 20, El Salvador 6, Guatemala 12, Honduras 14, Mexico 35, Nicaragua 8, Panama 23, Puerto Rico 7

● Set Five-133 listings total
Ecuador 42 and Peru 91

Guides to Peru
● A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru is 11.95 USD
● The Peru Pack (A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru plus the Peru job listings is 15.95 USD

Prevent Piracy
A lot of time and effort has gone into making The LA Job List. I have been gathering info about schools and making lists so you can easily find a teaching job in Latin America. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission.

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.

Teach on the most desirable continent in the TEFL industry

2008-01-18T20:36:00.000-05:00

Latin America is a distant destination that many will visit, but only a few will actually get the chance to live in this exotic paradise. Most TEFLing jobs are in Asia and Europe, but with The LA Job List, you'll have access to coveted teaching jobs at your fingertips.

Thinking of teaching in Peru? See the Peru Pack for the new ebook, A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru and the Peru Set.

Information about being a TEFL Teacher
● Are you qualified to teach in Latin America? What about visas and salaries? Is it necessary to pay a lot of money to take a teacher training course? Find out the answers to these questions and more in the Know Before You Go and What To Do When You Arrive sections.
● Find helpful tips such as how to choose a TEFL Training Programme, Dos and Don’ts for Teaching English, Making Extra Money, and more in the Tips of the Trade section.

So what do you get when you order? There are five sets to choose from and various contact methods are listed so that you can start sending out your CV now. See the Sample Listing to see what the lists look like. Take a look at what other teachers have to say in the Reader Reviews section.

Get on board – find a teaching job in Latin America – come live in an exotic location that you've always dreamed of. The LA Job List is your key to finding a great teaching job in Latin America.

Why is this a good buy? Because it can help you land some of the best TEFL jobs in the world. It can save you hours of searching the internet for the few adverts for Latin American schools. In addition to the country specific listings, you’ll also get over 70 links (placement agencies, volunteer programmes, Latin American job links, TEFL job sites, chain schools, recruiting agencies, and international schools) that can help you find teaching jobs all over the world.

Each Set is only 9.95 USD.
Save 20% and get two Sets for 15.95 USD.
● Set One-166 listings total
Argentina 108 and Chile 5

● Set Two-155 listings total
Bolivia 12, Brazil 117, Paraguay 7, and Uruguay 19

● Set Three-118 listings total
Colombia 57 and Venezuela 61

● Set Four-150 listings total
Costa Rica 25, Dominican Republic 20, El Salvador 6, Guatemala 12, Honduras 14, Mexico 35, Nicaragua 8, Panama 23, Puerto Rico 7

● Set Five-133 listings total
Ecuador 42 and Peru 91

Disclaimer
The LA Job List does not endorse any of the schools listed and will not be held accountable for the outcome of any applications. It is your responsibility to research every opportunity carefully!

Prevent Piracy
A lot of time and effort has gone into making The LA Job List. I have been gathering info about schools and making lists so you can easily find a teaching job in Latin America. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission.

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.

Know Before You Go

2008-01-18T01:12:00.005-05:00

Index
● Below is information about teaching in Latin America, such as requirements, TEFL Training, how to write a CV and more.
● Looking for jobs? Go to The LA Job List.
● Want information about teaching in Peru? Go to A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru.
● If you're looking for information about what to do after you arrive, go to What to Do Upon Arrival.

Requirements
The majority of places in The LA Job List will require you to be a native speaker and have at least a BA. Other places will require teaching experience. A TEFL Certificate is useful, but a BA is preferred. International schools require QTS (Qualified Teaching Status) in your home country and usually two years teaching experience in a primary or secondary school.

TEFL Training Programmes
You can either study online or on-site. Remember that TEFL programmes should include at least 100 hours with 6 hours of teaching students. If you do a distance programme, make sure that a practical teaching element is included.

Free online courses
The Peace Corps has come up with a Guide to teaching English. You could also try TEFL Boot Camp.

The following courses require a fee in order to participate
English International
TEFL training
INTESOL International
TESOL Direct
The International TEFL Corporation
I-to-I
ACTDEC

On-Site Programmes
There are quite a few TEFL Training Programmes in Latin America. Try searching at TEFL Certification Abroad to find one that suites you.

Salaries
Some schools may offer you room, board, and a small stipend in exchange for teaching. Others pay you a salary, usually between$ 500 and 1000 USD a month. Although this may seem like a low salary, costs of living are much lower than in the those in English speaking countries, so you can easily survive on a teacher's salary.

Number of Hours
Many institutes and universities will have you work split shifts meaning that you'll get a break in the middle of the day to eat lunch and relax for a few hours. Sometimes classes finish at 9pm, or even as late as 10pm. Although at first it seems difficult, you will get used to it and can use the time in the afternoon to take a nap or run errands. Remember that you will usually only be teaching 20-30 hours a week, and then the rest of the time is prep time. If you manage your time well, you will have plenty of time to teach private lessons.

Private Lessons
There are plenty of opportunites to pick up private students. Try advertising at schools, universities, or try putting an advert in the local paper. Teachers usually charge between $5 and 20 USD an hour. You can also teach online, see Tips of the Trade for more info.

What to Wear
Smart casual is usually the rule here. Some places require you to wear a uniform, other say that men have to wear ties and women must wear appropriate clothing. Men should wear dress pants and a dress shirt. Some places require you to wear a tie as well. Women should wear nice pants or a skirt with a blouse. Jeans are usually not accepted and piercings and tattoos should be hidden. Depending on where you are, you may be allowed to wear sandals. The best thing to do is ask about the dress code.

Start-up Costs
As usual, when moving to a new place, you should bring money to tide you over before you get paid. 1000- 2000 USD should be more than enough.

Making Contact
Although many places want to meet you before having you sign a contract, it is possible to set up jobs before you arrive. The best thing to do is start contacting schools and let them know you are interested in working for them. Tell them when you will arrive and try to set up an interview.

CV Tips
In Latin America there is a lot of importance put on getting to know a person. For that reason, you should always include a recent photo on your CV.

Include:
Photo
Your name
Date of birth
Sex, nationality (ex. Female American Citizen or Female, American, Native Speaker)
Phone number
Email
Work / Teaching Experience
Education
Conferences / Workshops given
Conferences / Workshops attended
Professional Affiliations
Other Skills (languages / computer)
Hobbies (optional)

There's no reason to include scanned copies of documents such as a passport, degree or reference letters unless asked to do so.

Useful CV Websites
CV Tips
Teaching CVs
Purdue Guide
Free Resume Tips

Shortly Before Arriving
A few weeks before you plan on coming, re-email schools in order to touch base and confirm your interview.

Prevent Piracy
A lot of time and effort has gone into making The LA Job List. I have been gathering info about schools and making lists so you can easily find a teaching job in Latin America. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission.

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.

Sample Listing: Peru

2008-01-18T00:56:00.010-05:00

Index
● Looking for jobs? Go to The LA Job List.
● Want information about teaching in Peru? Go to A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru.
● Remember, this is a sample, so only a few schools have been listed.

Arequipa
CEP Anglo Americano Prescott
Av. Alfonoso Ugarte 565
Tel: 54 232540
www.prescott.edu.pe/
jdiaz@prescott.edu.pe

Colegio Lord Byron
Calle Grande 250, Cayma
Tel: 054 255038 or 054 254976
www.lordbyron.edu.pe
lordbyron@lordbyron.edu.pe

Cajamarca
Davy College
Av. Hoyos Rubio 2684, Casilla 1, Cajamarca
Tel 076 367501
Fax: 076 367502
www.davycollege.edu.pe
recruitment@davycollege.edu.pe

Chachapoyas
International Language Center
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/internationalcenter/
cybertauro2002@yahoo.es

Cusco
Maximo Nivel
Avenida El Sol 612
Tel/Fax: 08 425 7200
www.maximonivel.net
Info@maximonivel.net

Excel
Cruz Verde 336
Tel: 084 235298
Fax: 084 232272
www.excelinspanish.com
info@excelinspanish.com

Lima
Business Links
Jirón Tacna 873
Tel: 01 4226002
www.bl.com.pe
informes@bl.com.pe

Markham College
Early Years/Upper School: Av El Carme s/n Monterrico, Surco
Tel Early Years: 01 4354765 or Tel Upper School: 01 4367545
Early Years: hoey@markham.edu.pe
Upper School: hous@markham.edu.pe
Lower School: Calle Augusto Angulo 291, San Antonio, Miraflores
Tel Lower School: 01 2417677
Lower School: hols@markham.edu.pe
www.markham.edu.pe

Piura
Universidad de Piura
Av. Ramón Mugica 131, Urb. San Eduardo
www.udep.edu.pe
www.cnalvart@udep.edu.pe

Trujillo
Sir Alexander Fleming College
Go to “Our Team” then click on “Working at Fleming”
Av. América Sur 3701
Tel: 044 280395
Fax : 044 284440
www.fleming.edu.pe

Prevent Piracy
A lot of time and effort has gone into making The LA Job List. I have been gathering info about schools and making lists so you can easily find a teaching job in Latin America. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission.

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.

Thanks for Purchasing

2008-01-18T00:16:00.005-05:00

Thank you for purchasing from The LA Job List, make sure you email me at naturegirl321@yahoo.com and let me what you have ordered you would like. As soon as I verify your Paypal payment I will email you your order.

Prevent Piracy
A lot of time and effort has gone into making The LA Job List. I have been gathering info about schools and making lists so you can easily find a teaching job in Latin America. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission.

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.

Respectful Travel

2008-01-01T23:53:00.000-05:00

We’ve all seen them. Tourists, that stick out like sore thumbs. Yet when we travel, we forget about the tourists we’ve seen and make the same mistakes. Blending in isn’t just for tourists. There are plenty of foreigners who live and work in foreign countries and forget how important it is to adapt to the host country. Not looking like a tourist has many advantages. Below you will find some tips on how to blend in while in Latin America.

Why Blend In?
For starters, it’s safer to look like a local than a tourist. Tourists are often targeted by thieves and pick-pockets. And given the special tourist prices, which are higher than the normal prices. Second, dressing like a tourist can be disrespectful at times. For example, when entering churches or cathedrals in Latin America, you shouldn’t wear sleeveless shirts, shorts or flip-flops. Third, you won’t get stared at or pointed at for being a gringo.

Blending in is two part, physically and socially. Physically involves what you look like and socially involves how you act. While there are somethings that you can’t change, there is plenty that you can. Taking Latin American cultures and customs into consideration is that polite thing to do and will help you will enjoy your time here.

Blending in Physically
While there are plenty of blond haired, blue eyed Latin Americas, there are far more dark haired and dark eyed ones. And on the whole, Latin Americas are shorter than their American or European counterparts. And although they aren’t super thin, they are not very heavy either, but rather in between.

Obviously there’s not much that you can do about your height. And apart from dying your hair or wearing contacts, you probably can’t change those features either. However, your physical appearance is more than just this and your clothes and accessories that you use can either help you blend in or cause you to stand out.

Let’s start with clothing. For the most part, cargo pants aren’t used by most Latin Americans. So if you’re wearing them, it’s a sure sign that you’re a tourist. Shorts are mainly used for the beach, although some women do wear them in the city. Be aware that showing your legs is an open invitation to whistles, stares and kisses being blown at you. Both men and women use jeans and they tend to be tighter than the jeans worn in places such as the USA. In the summer, women can wear skirts and men shorts.

Shoes are also an easy way for people to tell if you’re a tourist or not. Ditch the flip flops, they’re beachwear, and Birkenstocks and opt for comfy dress shoes. Thousands of Latin Americans walk all over the place in dress shoes, so you can too.

Although there are tons of wonderful shirts that have the city or country that you’ve visited written on the front, save those for when you get home. Button down shirts or t-shirts for both guys and gals should be fine. Just keep in mind that clothing is worn a bit tighter than what you may be used to, so leave the baggy clothes at home.

Keep in mind that seasons are the opposite here than what they are in the northern hemisphere. And although it may be pretty cold where you are in March, it’s actually the end of the summer and the beginning of fall. Locals start wearing fall clothing around that time, so if you show up in shorts and a tank, people will know that you’re not from around here. In the summer months, January to March, it does get warm. But depends on where you are, it might not be as warm as what you’re used to. Twelve hours of daylight mean that there’s less sun and less heat. It tends to cool off at night, so be sure to bring a jacket with you.

Lastly, ditch the hats and sunglasses. Sombreros really aren’t worn by the majority of the people here. Sunglasses are more of a fashion statement than anything. If you are going to wear sunglasses, make sure it’s sunny. There’s really no reason to wear sunglasses here in the middle of winter. And it should go without saying that walking around with a guidebook under your arm and a camera around your neck won’t make you look like a local. Try copying the necessary pages of your guidebook and taking those with you. Stick your camera in a backpack or purse. As for money, and ID cards, just take what you need. If you’re going out for coffee, you won’t need 100 dollars. ID, passports, credit cards and the like should never be with you while you’re out on the town. Carry a copy if necessary, but leave the originals in a safe place.

Blending in Socially
Let’s begin with stereotypes. As mentioned above, there are blond haired, blue eyed Latin Americans. Some may be very tall or heavy as well. They might speak other languages, have spent time in another country, or live in mansions. Forget about stereotypes. The best thing to do is to come with an open mind and take in everything around you. Along with forgetting stereotypes, there are some cultural items to remember when coming to Latin America

One important thing to keep in mind is the personal space bubble. Here in Latin America, people stand closer together than those in other countries. Although it may seem intrusive when someone is just a few inches away from your nose, resist the temptation to step back. Personal space is just smaller here. When you’re greeting or leaving women use air kisses near the check. When men greet men they usually shake hands and embrace, for greeting women they use air kisses. When leaving, make sure you say good-bye to everyone.

When meeting someone you’ll be sure to find out that time is relative here in Latin America. If you’re meeting someone for lunch at noon, don’t be surprised if they’re a half an hour late. They’re not trying to be rude, that’s just the way things are here. So next time you’re meeting someone, try to be a little late as well.

Make an effort to learn a bit about the country’s history and culture before you go. This is a great way to start a conversation. Latin Americans love conversation, so be ready to talk about anything. Try keeping abreast of the news, especially the local news as it’s a favourite topic among Latin Americans. People here like to express themselves with gestures, so try using your hands when you talk. And remember about the personal space bubble? Since people here stand closer together when they talk, they don’t need to talk so loudly, so lower your voice while carrying on a conversation or you’ll be accused of shouting.

Speaking of talking, learning a bit of the language show that you’re willing to make an effort to learn more about their country. Spanish is the main language used in Latin America. So if you learn the basics, you can use it in many countries. Portuguese is used in Brazil and French is still used in some countries as well. And as English is the world’s language, most people, especially young people have a decent grasp on English. However, if you are going to use English to communicate, speak a bit slower and without slang. But at the same time, there’s no need to shout or speak to people as if they were ignorant. Although they may not understand you, try writing things done. Latin Americans are very helpful and will go out of their way to show you where something is, so be considerate and make sure to thank them for helping you out.

Don’t be afraid to try something new. Latin America has loads of local delicacies for you to try. When dining out, wait for others to be served before beginning. And be sure to hold your fork in one hand and your knife in the other. Cut one bite at a time and keep your fork and knife in the same hands, don’t switch hands.

Going along with trying new things is venturing out and using the public transport. At first it may seem like a daunting task, as driving and organisation may seem a bit iffy, but you’ll get used to it. Besides being cheaper than taking taxis, it’s safer as well.

Prices are somethings that might take some time to get used to. Although things might be considerably cheaper than in your home country, keep in mind that salaries might be lower. Don’t go on and on about how cheap things are, because for those earning money in the local currency, they’re not really that cheap.

Most importantly, remember that you’re a guest and as such don’t speak badly about the country you’re in. Of course there are going to be differences, some good, some bad. But don’t compare your country to theirs in a negative light. No one wants to hear how horrible their country is. Pay compliments instead. Latin Americans are proud of their culture and native people. Food, handicrafts and the arts are good things to compliment. It’s best to take advantage of your time in the country and see some of the local festivals and events. They’re unforgettable and are a great way to get an inside look at the culture.

When in Rome
So remember, blending physically and socially will greatly help you the next time you’re in Latin America. Make an effort and you will be rewarded for doing so.

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