Colombia - TEFL in Colombia
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Safety
One common misconception about Columbia is one of safety since the international news only ever seems to mention the country in relation to drugs.
However, if you keep your eyes open and don't get in with the wrong crowd, living and working in Colombia is as normal as it can be. Big cities are reasonably well policed and usually safe. Basically, safety is no more of a concern than it would be in any large North American city.
Most conflicts occur in the countryside, which can make inter-city travel risky at times so always check with your Embassy before embarking on a journey through the Country. Most illicit drug production is for export, so, except for warring drug factions in the coca-growing areas, there's not much everyday impact.
See also, Personal Safety, a general look at staying safe abroad.
Schools
In the capital Bogota and the other main cities Cali and Medellin, businesses play a big role in the ELT market with their demand for in-company ESL teachers, and in particular for American English speakers. This is a reflection of the strong commercial links between South and North America. So much so that it's not uncommon to find the following listed amongst the basic requirements for an ESL position: "A clear voice with a neutral "North American" accent".
The whole South American continent is culturally and economically oriented towards the U.S. but Colombia is perhaps one of the more strongly oriented South American countries resulting in an extensive network of Colombian-American Cultural Centers, some of which also offer English like the Centro Cultural Colombo with its institutes in Bogota, Cali and Medellin.
Qualifications and Schools
Requirements vary according to where you want to teach. Most teaching positions require an applicant to be a native English speaker and have a university degree. A teaching certificate such as the ICAL TEFL Certificate and some experience are a definite plus although many schools do employ first-time teachers.
Work is available at bilingual colegios, language institutes, and universities. There are 3 ways in which you can find work. You can bank on private students (no visa needed), you can go with a small school (and just look for a job when you are in Colombia), or you can go with a large school (and often get a job before arriving in the Country).
It is necessary to obtain a visa to work in Colombia and although jobs can be found without, it is risky and can have consequences.
If the hustle and bustle of a big city is not for you, don't despair! Teaching positions can also be found in smaller towns around the country, provided you are prepared to accept a low wage. In Colombia your compensation would usually equate to three times minimum wage or double what a local teacher is paid. However airfare compensation can be included in the contract, and so can be accommodation.
Pay
The monthly pay is likely to be around 1,000,000 COP (540 USD, 375 EUR, 338 GBP) but of course the cost of living is much cheaper.
Practicalities
The academic year in Colombia begins in February or early March and lasts until December. The best time to look for work is a few weeks before the end of the summer holidays. However, many institutes run 8- to 12-week courses year round and will hire a native speaker whatever the time of year.
Since getting a work visa is usually a long and expensive process many teachers work on tourist visas. These must be kept up-to-date by applying for an extension from the Immigration Department or by crossing into and back from a neighboring country.
