| The following comprise some of the most frequently | | | | online. It's the Universidad del Norte site in English is at: |
| asked questions I receive on teaching English in | | | | [ |
| Colombia. While not a complete listing, the responses | | | | Q: What is the best time of year to go to look for |
| do provide some brief insight into EFL possibilities here. I | | | | work in Colombia? |
| have lived and taught in Colombia since 1995 and am | | | | A: As far as looking for work is concerned; July to |
| currently teaching at a large university in Cali. | | | | August you should be pounding the pavement. The |
| Q: Do you have a list of EFL schools in Colombia or | | | | next best time frame is in early to mid January. |
| know where I may find one? | | | | Another critical period for job-hunting is May to June. |
| A: You will find some helpful information for teaching | | | | Most importantly, choose where you want to live and |
| English in Colombia in an online article published by | | | | work, or make a pilot trip to uncover essential facts, |
| Transitions Abroad magazine at: | | | | leads and information on a couple of cities. |
| Q: I am particularly interested in spending time in | | | | Q: How much money do you think I should have |
| Cartagena. I wonder ifyou might be able to advise me | | | | before I travel to Colombia? |
| or point me in the right direction. | | | | A: Try to have enough money to tide you over at |
| A: In Cartagena you can contact any schools there | | | | least three months of savings to give you some |
| directly when you arrive since it's a relatively small city | | | | breathing room, but even one month of savings might |
| based solely on some tourism. Unemployment is very | | | | be enough if you find something fairly quickly. Just look |
| high there unfortunately. You should contact regular | | | | at the exchange rate of U.S. dollars to Colombian |
| primary and secondary schools as well. | | | | pesos. Factor in the cost of living per month and |
| Q: I'm beginning to get the impression that perhaps | | | | you’ll likely find an approximate amount of |
| Cartagena may not hold many opportunities. Does | | | | savings that are necessary. You can compile a more |
| your comment about unemployment being high there | | | | accurate figure by checking out for their Bogota city |
| imply that there's not much call for English teachers (to | | | | cost guide. |
| adults) in the town? I'm not being very successful | | | | Q: Is there anything else you might suggest to me as a |
| searching for adult educational establishments in | | | | newly certified EFL / ESL teacher? |
| Cartagena. | | | | A: After a bit of tenure in Colombia you'll have other |
| A: With nearly 80 per cent unemployment, Cartagena | | | | options, especially if your Spanish is passable. Also |
| might not be right for you. Beggars, thieves, con artists | | | | consider Spain, Mexico (my favorite), Ecuador, Chile |
| and a massive army of poor constantly surround you. | | | | and other Spanish-speaking countries. If you're not set |
| You certainly can't go to the beach that the city is | | | | on one of those, Turkey, Indonesia and China, along |
| famous for because there they know you're a "tourist" | | | | with other Asian countries pay very well and offer |
| with disposable dollars and you'll be absolutely | | | | good opportunity for newbie native English speaking |
| miserable after the first 500 or so beggars have | | | | EFL teachers. |
| beseiged you in less than a couple of hours. Not much | | | | Q: Are your other articles available to read online? |
| of a vacation spot now, I'm afraid. Sorry. | | | | A: Let me know what you have in mind and I might be |
| Q: I understand you have written a series of articles | | | | able to offer some more specific suggestions. But for |
| about teaching English in Colombia, could you point me | | | | even more information on ELT, you might want to visit |
| in the right direction? | | | | my English language teaching and learning blog online |
| A: Your best opportunities will be in Bogota, the capitol, | | | | at: |
| with more than 75 schools, universities and institutes | | | | Also, my articles online at are cataloged at: |
| from which to choose. Cali has about forty such | | | | These should keep you interested, busy and informed |
| options. If you'd like to be on the coast, you might try | | | | for a while. Let me know if I can be of any further |
| Barranquilla. The language institute at the university | | | | assistance. |
| there is hiring EFL teachers on a continual basis and is | | | | Good luck. |