Hello there, sorry for the delay in responding but I've recently changed job and it was all abit hectic. Yes I was in central America doing TEFL up to june 2010. I had a great time and also manged to travel most of it as its not too big an area. Costa Rica is beautiful and I would say if u r serious about teaching in central america Costa Rica is probably your best bet at first as its more developed and organised when it comes to business, education and tourism. I put my c.v into spanish and hit all the unis and learning institutes and it was not hard to find work. The school yr goes jan to december so they r looking for main bulk of teachers in november for next coming yr. If u can work on ur spanish or have spanish then thats a bonus...im sure u'll soon pick it up wherever u go in central/south america. The cost of living is not too expensive but more than i thought it would be. Try not to take a contract for less then 1000 bucks take home a month. read ur contract and know exactly what they r expecting of u. dont sign up to the first thing offered ever just caus someone offers u a job...some schools will try to take the royal pee so beware, 25hrs teaching + pre time a wk is more than resonable any more being asked and u want to see the wage increased appropriately.

Sorry if this seems alittle rushed but Ive just moved to Malaysia and I have been working everyday and my head is a bit spent.By the way if you want to know anything about this arewa, south east asia just let me know.

Overall I would say start in Costa Rica, San Jose is the capital, and see how it goes. There is great night life there and the beaches on east and west coast r a must. Plus all the volcanoes there r worth climbing and visiting. But do travel to Nicaragua and panama and I recomend Guatamala and Mexico is awesome too!!!

Any more info just hit me back.

Take care =))

I have the same as the laydee below; someone wonderfully directed me to you, as I'm thinking Costa Rica in the next few months, maybe before or after Cusco, Peru. Manuel Antonio placement is looking gooood to me. If you have any advice or tales to tell me of this beautiful-looking place, that would be lovely :) Thanks x Michelle, if you're about the same place, same time, would be awesome to meet up and hava look round together :)

Hi there.  Someone directed me to chat with you as you are in Costa Rica-?  I am interested in finding out more about teaching there.  I have been to CR and loved it.  Loved the people, geography, everything.  would you mind telling me a little about your experience.  HOw difficult is it to get a job teaching there?  Do they require a degree?  Thanks!

Michelle

Hey, saw that you are working in South America at the moment. Where abouts? I am going to be teaching in Cusco (Peru) for 12 weeks in January next year as a volunteer; not finished my tefl course yet but I will have by the time I get there.

Have you any advice for teaching methods in Latin America?

xx