7 Things to Know about Teaching English in Buenos Aires

The English teacher abroad is a special person. The combination of wits, strength, intelligence, and flexibility is just some of the traits needed to survive against the odds away from his or her native land.

In Argentina, the demand for English is strong. It will probably be impossible to gain the proper papers to work legally without much effort and time - time you need to be working to make a living.

So, what do you do?

Come to Buenos Aires, but heed these 7 points of advice.

1. Find a recruiting firm for English teachers - teach Business English. The firm assigns you hours with companies. Get some hours in the morning - the popular time - and save the afternoon for private lessons (see below). You will have to travel around the center of Buenos Aires to different sites. The going rate? 20 pesos / hour.

2. You get paid once a month. The pain! So bring a budget of at least $2500 to hold you over until you can get the first payment in Argentine pesos. Hold some dollars in reserve. You never know when you will need them.

3. Know thy grammar. Teaching English requires a great degree of professionalism an competence. Not every speaker of the language can teach it. Buy a grammar book before leaving home that covers the basics and more. Have a good understanding of the tenses and be able to explain them without fail.

4. Teaching experience is helpful. As a native speaker you will be given wide berth here to teach your maternal tongue. Experience as a teacher with classroom experience or as a tutor is an asset. Your students will know immediately. It will also help you with private students.
5. Private students are golden. You will make more pesos with private lessons than you could hope to make with a recruitment firm. It will take effort and marketing wits, but it can be done.
6. Speak some Spanish. The last two points here are for emphasis. While you are may be more likely to encounter one who speaks English here than other Latin American capitals, learn the local language. Your traditional Spanish is not spoken in Argentina. However, any effort to speak the language is appreciated and will make your life easier in your new land. Take a class or at least pick up a phrasebook before arriving.

7. Review your life and make sure you are ready to make the leap. You are not going to get rich and may not have a comfortable life at first. Make sure you are prepared mentally and economically for the life in another land. Some rewards in life are not monetary. Your perspectives will be challenged. Buenos Aires is a marvelous city with many charms.

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation.