The TEFL News Network

This time we have an interview with The LA Job Guru. Most of you know here on the TEFL forums as NatureGirl321. She has been a fixture for years on various forums and has gotten quite the reputation for providing quality job information for TEFL teachers around the world. Now is our chance to get to ask her some questions.

Q) How did you get started in TEFL teaching?
I actually went to uni thinking of being an English teacher, but ended up declaring a different major. However, during that time I got the chance to do short-term teaching in China, Venezuela and Taiwan and realised that it was what I wanted to do when I graduated. So upon graduation in December 2002 I went to the Czech Republic to do my TEFL Diploma with the Boland School.

Q) What is your most memorable experience teaching?
Watching students’ faces light up when they play games. Or watching children tip their head and try to think of what they want to say to you in English.

Q) What advice would you give new TEFL teachers?
First off, do a bit of research about TEFLing. There are good sties to get you started like www.teflbootcamp.com and www.tefltips.blogspot.com These sites can give you good ideas about TEFL in general. Then when you do decide on what country to go to, you should find forums, like those at www.teflwatch.org, www.eltworld.net/forums or www.eslcafe.com and before you start posting, read through the old posts. You’ll find lots of useful info such as pay, visas, how to get a job, number of hours, good and bad schools in the country that you’re looking for.

*Q) What advice would you give someone going to teach in Peru?
First and foremost they should not come here for the money. That being said, even though salaries seem low, it’s easy to live very well here in Peru. Then they should read The Ultimate Peru List which has anything and everything they ever wanted to know about Peru and a section dedicated to teaching here in Peru.
They should start emailing schools a couple of months before they arrive and can get info from http://groups.yahoo.com/group/perujobbulletin or www.thelajoblist.blogspot.com . They also need to take into account that employers will want to meet them before hiring them. So they shouldn’t get discouraged if people don’t answer their emails.
Once they get here, they should go with their CV in hand to the places that they previously contacted.
When they are offered a job they should try for the highest salary possible (if it’s an institute 5-10USD an hour, schools are from 500-2500USD a month) by playing up all the teaching experience they’ve had and telling the employer what a valuable asset they could be. Then they need to get all of that in writing and sign it.
They also need to realise that connections go a long way here, so if they’re looking for a job, they should tell everyone and anyone. They should also remember to thank people that help them and help others.

*Q) You’ve compiled a huge list of jobs in Latin America for teachers to use. Your LA Job List is probably the most comprehensive TEFL Job list on the net. What prompted you to start compiling it?
Thanks, and I’ll never finish it because I’m always updating it. I started compiling it when I saw how few job offers there were for Latin America and that people would always ask on forums about positions in Latin America. So I started visiting TEFL job sites and copying down the contact info. I wanted to create a reference for people who want to teach in Latin America. I just started a major update about two weeks ago and it’s gone from 274 to 717 places in 19 Latin American countries and it can be seen at www.thelajoblist.blogspot.com along with other useful information such as job searching and teaching in Latin America.

Q) What is your dream TEFL job?
I would like to get into Educational Management, either by becoming a teacher trainer, or a coordinator or placing teachers in teaching positions. I really like helping new teachers adjust to TEFLing.

*Q) What are the biggest challenges facing TEFL teachers in the medium and long term?
I think it’s overcoming stereotypes about being a EFL teacher. Although there are people who just get into it to travel or take a year off and see the world, there are lots of us oldbies who have made a career out of it. We’ve worked hard, studied, gone to conferences to get where we are.
I think another problem I’ve noticed is moving up in TEFL. It seems more of being in the right place at the right time and having connections, than qualifications and experience that get teachers the coveted positions they want.

Thanks for your time in answer our questions and see you on the forums!

I was going to wait on this Destination TEFL report until March, but I decided that this is such great information, it needs to be get out there ASAP. This is literally everything you must know about teaching in Peru. I thank Sharon de Hinojosa of The LA TEFL Job List and The Ultimate Peru List for allowing us to reprint this so that you can get as much information as possible on this interesting destination.

Requirements
The most important requirements are that you are a native speaker and have a BA degree. Although a TEFL Cert is helpful as it gives you a background to TEFL, few places actually require one.

A Peruvian Style CV
First of all, there is no need to put your CV into Spanish. You’re trying to find a position teaching English, so although Spanish is helpful outside of the classroom, you’ll be expected to speak English inside of the classroom. In fact, even if you DO speak Spanish, employers usually frown upon using it in class.

Second, you’ll need to add a professional, updated photo to your CV. It makes your CV more personal and is a basic requirement for a CV in Peru.

Third, you should put the following at the top next to your photo: Legal name, Nationality, Phone Number, Email. You can include your DOB and civil status, but it’s not necessary.

Lastly, you need to include: Work experience, Education experience, Conferences/Workshops Presented and Given, Professional Associations, Other Skills and Hobbies.

When to look for a job
If you want to work at an institute, just about any time of the year is a good time to get a job. However, summer (January and February) and holidays (end of July and December) is usually the slow season.

If you’re trying to get a job at a school, start looking around October. Hiring takes place between October and February, though in February usually the only jobs that are left are either on the low end of the salary scale or for very experienced teachers (think Science or Math) and require heaps of experience and education.

How to find a job
Although it’s true that it’s hard to find a job before you arrive, it isn’t impossible. If you have QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) it’s much easier to arrange a job beforehand and you should go to a local international school job fair. If you’re not a qualified teacher, don’t worry, there are still plenty of jobs out there.

There are a couple of websites that have classified adverts, such as
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/perujobbulletin/ , http://www.teachabroad.com, http://www.expatperu.com
and http://www.livinginperu.com/classifieds. And if you’re willing to pay for a list of schools, try www.thelajoblist.blogspot.com

When you send out your CV, try to personalise your cover letter as much as possible and address it to an actual person, not just Sir or Madam. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get many responses as the majority of employers will want to meet you before offering you a job. One important thing to keep in mind is to tell the institutes when you will be arriving and ask for an interview. Then when you do arrive to Peru, go visit the places you previously contacted with your CV in hand.

Cities
Some people are certain what city they want to live in while others aren’t. Many people want to go to Cusco. Keep in mind that there are lots of tourists and is similar to Europe, so if you want the real Peru experience, I would advise against Cusco. Lima is the centre of everything. Trujillo is a uni town. Arequipa is famous for its volcano. Smaller towns are an option. Piura and Chiclayo are close to the famous beaches. Puno has snow. Iquitos is in the middle of a steamy jungle. Do some research; what appeals to some many not appeal to others.

Salary and Hours
Most institutes pay about 5 USD an hour, some business institutes may pay from 6 to 10 USD an hour. And you’ll probably teach about 20 to 30 hours a week, and may have to work a split shift or Saturdays or even both.

Schools usually pay 500 to 1000 USD, and international schools can pay up to 2500 USD a month, but competition is stiff. Schools also give you benefits such as insurance, paid vacation, sick days, pension, and bonuses. Hours are usually from 730 to 430pm.

A word to the wise, if you decide to teach private lessons, have your students pay you after EACH lesson. If you don’t, when the end of the month comes, you might find your students have disappeared. You can charge about 5 to 20 USD an hour for private lessons, depending on the level of the student, your experience, and the city you’re in (Lima usually pays the best).

Visas
Teaching a tourist visa is not legal, but that’s not to say it’s not done. Upon entry you will usually be given 90 days. You can extend your visa for one month up to three times, giving you a total of 180 days. Once you’ve done that you have the choice of either border hopping or overstaying your visa and paying a dollar a day fine.

If you work at a school, you are more likely to get a work visa than if you work at an institute. Chances are slim to none that your institute will get you a work visa.

Want to know more about Peru?
Check out the famous Ultimate Peru List at www.theultimateperulist.blogspot.com

About the Author
Sharon de Hinojosa (naturegirl321) has lived and worked (mainly teaching English) in the US, Scotland, Spain, the Czech Republic, China, Korea, and Peru. She has also taught short-term in Venezuela and Taiwan. She’s been living in Peru (Piura and Lima) since August 2004. Although she planned on staying for a year, she fell in love and is now happily married.

She regularly contributes to the forums on ELT World, TEFL Watch, Dave’s ESL Café, Living in Peru and Expat Peru. Her work has been featured Viva Travel Guides and will soon be published in Transitions Abroad, Ezinearticles, and Boots N All in the coming months.

When she’s not teaching or helping people in Peru, she enjoys redecorating her house with her husband in Lima.

In the year 2000 the United Nations (UN) established eight development goals (MDG) which the UN hopes to complete by the year 2015. These goals are:

1. Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child morality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat AIDS/ HIV, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Establish a global partnership for development (UN Millennium Goals website, 2005)

These goals form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions . They have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest (UN Millennium Development Goals Website, 2005). With this blueprint in place we are going to explore each one of these goals and how we can partner with the UN through our TESOL practices to further these goals.

Please give comments and feedback as much as possible as I am hoping that these articles are actually joint ventures and will give credit where credit is due. I am aiming to properly reference all sources and will reference names or pseudonyms.

References

UN Millennium Development Goals. (2005). United Nations. Available December 31, 2007 from http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/index.html

Skipp has taught EFL in several countries but is currently a student in the MA TESOL program at Trinity Western University. He runs the newly formed website Skipp Class in which he discusses TESOL with issues of social justice. He is married with no children.

Dave’s ESL Cafe has helped many new teachers find out about the TEFL profession with informative forums and great resources. I started out in TEFL almost 10 years ago with the help of Dave’s ESL Cafe. I’m one of many who can owe a great new lifestyle thanks to the help given to me by the vibrant community.

We’ve got an interview with one of the biggest movers and shakers in the TEFL World. Nope, it’s not Dave Sperling, but it is one of the core moderators over at Dave’s ESL Cafe, the most popular and most informative TEFL and ESL forum on the net.

Q. How did you get your start moderating on the ESL Cafe Forums?

Mr. Kalgukshi: Before I get into the body of the interview, let me begin by saying that anything I write here is strictly my own opinion and not necessarily Dave’s ESL Café official policy. I should also point out that I am not a “Head Moderator,” as there is no such position on either the International Job Forums or the Korean Job Forums. For purposes of this interview, I am answering your questions from the perspective of moderating on the International Job Forums only.

How did I get started moderating on Dave’s? Well, I had been a very early member of Dave’s ESL Cafe on the forerunner of the present board. When Dave decided to revamp it to its present format in late 2002, he asked for some help with the moderating. I immediately volunteered because I viewed the site as a great resource for TEFL teachers around the world and I wanted to help out in insuring its continued success. I’ve been moderating both the International Job Forums and the Korean Job Forums since that time.

Q. What kind of experience do you have in TEFL teaching?

Mr. Kalgukshi: I’ve taught in the TEFL area for over thirteen years in three nations. The majority of my time has been spent teaching at the university level.

Q. In my opinion, experience in an area seems to be a double-edged sword, it helps you understand the topic, but it also ruins your objectivity. What’s your thoughts on what makes an objective moderator?

Mr. Kalgukshi: I try very hard to stay above the fray. I remain focused on impartiality when it comes to making a decision. I play NO favorites and I treat everyone equally. When any member starts interfering in the civil exchange of information on Dave’s ESL Café, it is highly likely he or she will be hearing from me or another member of the Mod Team. Personally, I have no time for someone who comes to the board only to promote a particular agenda or cause trouble. You have to understand that very few members ever receive a warning from a Moderator. This is because they follow the rules and play the game as it was intended. The very few who do not frequently find their way to other sites. Yes, the Mod Team sometimes “assists” in this process.

Q. What do you see happening in the future with the TEFL profession?

Mr. Kalgukshi: I see it growing remarkably and expanding into areas that we probably can’t even imagine right now. It’s a wonderful profession to be in and especially if you are well qualified. I entered it after having another career. While I enjoyed my previous career very much and am most grateful for the financial security and other benefits I have as a result, I do regret somewhat that I did not discover TEFL teaching when I was younger. Some distinct advantages that I had coming into the profession were that I had completed an Education curriculum (teacher licensing) while at my university and I had earned a graduate degree in Education. These assisted me in no small respect when I entered the world of ESL/EFL. I would encourage anyone to enter the TEFL teaching profession, but I would caution him or her that real success in the profession is often directly dependent upon the level of education one brings to it.

Q. If you could add three resources to ESL Cafe, what would you add?

Mr. Kalgukshi: Good question. I had to give this one some thought and my answers reflect, in part, what I have heard from members. Here they are: 1.) Tech Forum 2.) Spell Check feature 3.) Possibly a blog area or something similar.

Q. If you could offer one piece of advice to new TEFL teachers, what would that be?

Mr. Kalgukshi: Be innovative. Don’t be afraid to try something different. Just because (allegedly) no one has ever done it before does not mean it will not work or help students to learn. Too many teachers I have worked with over the years seem to fall into a rut where they are very comfortable teaching only one way often using only one “tried and true” teaching methodology. Very often this becomes boring even to them. If the teacher is bored, it is highly likely the students are bored, too. Bored students don’t want to learn. They only want to escape. I’ve found that shaking the students up on occasion by “teaching outside the box” works wonders for both the teacher and the students.

Q. What do you like the most about moderating ESL Cafe?

Mr. Kalgukshi: I have been privileged for many years to be able to help the members who require our assistance. There are many different ways this takes place, but it does take place on a continuous basis and it is very vital to what we do as Moderators on Dave’s ESL Café. To the extent that the trolls and flamers come on the board and cause trouble, they interfere with our ability to provide this service and restrict the amount of time we are able to devote to it. While some boards out there seem to welcome, invite, permit or even promote such behavior, Dave’s ESL Café is not one of them. As a result, trolls and flamers are not welcome and we take swift and appropriate action to insure their behavior does not continue. By doing so, we protect our members who follow the rules and are on Dave’s for what the board is intended for and not just to create havoc or insult other members.

Moderating can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a lot of work. I’ve been doing it for many years on two very active boards and know full well the difficulties involved in moderating. At the same time, I owe a lot to the community we have in terms of providing a wealth of information for our members including me, and I work very hard to protect that community from those who would work to harm it.

In closing, I want to point out that I am very proud to be a member of the very experienced and united Mod Team we have on the International Job Forums. For many years now, I have witnessed my fellow Mod Team members work tirelessly and selflessly in their desire to maintain and grow Dave’s ESL Café as the first place to go on the Internet to find a wealth of ESL/EFL teaching information and engage in healthy and civil exchange of that information. Through the combined and consistent efforts of the members of the Mod Team, our nearly fifty-four thousand (and continuously growing) members always know they will be treated and respected as professionals on our site for professionals.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to respond to your questions and I wish you continued success in the years ahead.

Thanks, Mr. Kalgukshi. It’s been a real pleasure having you here to answer our questions. I appreciate your time and hope that we can do this again in the future. Thanks for continually making ESL Cafe a quality resource for teachers.

TEFLWatch is becoming a great resource for teachers, not only to report bad schools, but also a great resource for lessons. Thanks to the work of the moderator Wangsuda, they have developed an impressive collection of resources for teachers. You can find lesson plans, lesson ideas and lesson resources you need to become a better teacher. Here you’ll find a rundown of the resources they have available, but remember, the resources are growing so check back often because there will be more resources added on a regular basis.

The Resources, Activities and Games Room is a general collection of resources that might be very helpful to teachers, including a few general games and information on teaching books. The good stuff you will find in the sub-rooms.

The Math Resources, Activities and Games Room has a growing collection of Math labs and Math resources. You can even find a link to our math graphing application here on TEFL News.

The Science Resources, Activities and Games Room has some great science labs and even a Science game. It can be difficult to find Science resources for EFL students, but together we can create a great resource.

The English Resources, Activities and Games Room is a real treasure trove of information. If you are a new teacher, you need to be checking it out because everything you need to put together a great lesson is right there waiting for you.

Of course, all of these resources mean nothing unless you are using them, so get on over to the TEFLWatch Forums and start using what is going to become one of the premier free TEFL teaching resource areas.