Teach Abroad in Chile

  Chile

• Santiago: 
Santiago
• Valparaiso: 
Valparaiso
• Vina del Mar: 
Vina del Mar

Length of Position: Chilean academic year: Feb - Dec

Description: CIEE is collaborating with several reputable institutions to host American university graduates to teach English for the 2009 Chilean academic school year, starting in late February. These institutions include local private schools in Santiago, Universidad de Chile in Santiago, and DuocUC, a non-profit private institution of Higher Education, established in 1968 by the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. The DuocUC English Program is a pioneer in Higher Education English teaching in Chile in that it is the only program where English is obligatory in all professional and technical courses. The principal objective of this program is for students to finish their course with an internationally acceptable level of spoken English: Functional Fluency. CIEE participants will help DuocUC and other intuitions meet their language goals by sharing their native English language skills and cultural backgrounds with Chilean students.

CIEE Teach in Chile participants will teach English as a foreign language to local students at primary, secondary, or post-secondary levels. Placements are driven by demand for native English speaking teachers of the host institutions; CIEE will do its best to honor placement requests. Most CIEE participants are lead English teachers, preparation is gained by taking a CIEE endorsed TEFL certification course pre-departure.

All participants can expect to dedicate 15-22 hours to the classroom per week, and contribute additional time to lesson planning, assignment and test correcting, and other site specific activities.

Placements are available in the Santiago area, Valparaiso, and Viña del Mar.

Compensation includes:

- 300,000 to 335,000 pesos monthly stipend (depending on assignment)
- One month rent-free furnished accommodations; advice in securing permanent housing is provided

Location
Chile is a country of extremes, from the arid Norte Grande, to the thermal and snow capped Andes on its eastern border, the lush vineyards in the central valley, and the chilly southern tip pointing towards Antarctica, not to mention the 2,700 mile Pacific coastline. The diverse geography affords opportunity for an active lifestyle making Chile a destination for adventure seekers.

The capital city of Santiago is located 60 miles from the coast and is the fifth largest city in South America. Home to over five million inhabitants, Santiago is both modern and dynamic, dominating the political, economic, and cultural life of the country. Its pleasant Mediterranean climate and proximity to the mountains permits many outdoor pursuits such as hiking, skiing, camping, river-rafting, and horseback riding.

Valparaiso and its twin city of Viña del Mar are on the Pacific coast, just two hours by bus from Santiago. Valparaíso is a port city, housing the Chilean Congress, and Viña del Mar is a modern resort city with shops, beaches, and recreational facilities as well as residential housing. The two cities each consist of 600,000 inhabitants, of which more than 60,000 are university students. With affordable mass transportation between the two cities, many find it a friendly location in which to live and work.

Orientation
Pre-departure training
Applicants accepted to the Teach in Chile program must participate in a TEFL certification program that includes 100 hours of online interactive learning and a 20 hour practicum in your local community. This course is designed to provide participants with quality coursework and experiences which will aid in developing and awareness and mastering teaching skills for the EFL/ESL classroom. There is no specific meeting time for the TEFL course, however there will be a specific start date. Participants must log in to their account daily to submit assignments, communicate with classmates through online discussions, and take quizzes. A passing grade is required for participation in Teach in Chile.

In-country orientation
All Teach in Chile participants receive an in-country orientation in Santiago conducted by CIEE staff and local experts. The initial focus will involve cross-cultural understanding and practical information to help with the adaptation process. After a few days, the group will split for training courses on techniques and resources to help make you an effective teacher in Chile. Housing and some meals will be provided.

Mid-year training
CIEE will arrange for participants to re-group with CIEE staff for a training weekend between semesters to discuss the teaching experience and cultural integration into Chile. CIEE and program participants will talk about the experience of living and working in a foreign country, address concerns, and have an open dialogue for feedback.

Program Fee
$2,900

Highlights:
- Pre-departure TEFL certification
- Orientation in Santiago, including:
Cross-cultural training, Chilean Spanish classes, and practical information related to living in Chile including workshops on safety, transportation, the permanent housing search, visa issues, etc.
- Accommodations and some meals
- Sightseeing excursions
- Airport transfer in Santiago on scheduled arrival date
- One month rent-free housing; permanent search advice

CIEE Program Benefits
- Insurance (accident, illness, travel, medical evacuation, repatriation)
- 24 hour in-country emergency support services from the CIEE Santiago office
- Pre-departure advice to help you plan and prepare
- Program handbook with useful cultural and tourist information, teaching advice, medical information and local resources
- ESL teaching guide
- Visa application advice (Visa types vary by school assignment; it may be necessary to apply for your visa in person at the Chilean Consulate).

Details, Details
School levels: primary, secondary, college
School locations: Santiago area, Valparaiso, and Viña del Mar
Typical teaching load: 15-22 hours weekly*
Contract Chilean academic year: February - December
Application deadline: September 1

*most teachers devote additional time including class planning, presentations, faculty meetings, and extra-curricular activities.

Qualifications:
Put your skills - and your heart - into teaching in Chile. You can request placement at a particular level and preferred location, though placements are driven by the demand for English-speaking teachers and the requirements of each host institution, so CIEE cannot guarantee that all requests will be honored.

The eligibility requirements for the Teach in Chile program include:

- Bachelor's degree in any major
- English as a first language
- U.S. citizenship
- Upper intermediate to advanced Spanish language skills
- Teaching experience, community involvement, sense of volunteerism and/or similar experiences preferred
- Experience studying, working or volunteering abroad desirable

CIEE looks for candidates who are independent, adventurous and who adapt well to new situations. Participants must be able to expect the unexpected and thrive in a changing environment! Its essential that participants are self-motivated, responsible and recognize that their first priority is to their school and their teaching assignment. 110% commitment to the program is essential.

Minimum Education: Bachelor of Arts

Salary / Pay: 300,000 to 335,000 pesos monthly stipend (after taxes); accommodations for the first month, though assistance in arranging permanent housing is available.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Chile Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Resume
• Written Application

CIEE's Mission Statement: Since 1947, the Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE, has been in pursuit of its mission, "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world." Our services to young people studying, working, teaching, and traveling abroad are more important than ever. As we look ahead, we reaffirm our commitment to the principles and values that guide this mission statement.

Year Founded: 1947