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Teaching English in Argentina
There is a high standard in place in the teaching field for Argentina, as it has always had a large number of the population who speak English. Competition is tough, so the individual must be aware to pack all their credentials. Some schools can require, in some cases, up to five years experience. Contacts are essential, business teaching is more lucrative and there are a number of private language schools that one can apply to. Materials such as books can be scarce, it is therefore best that the individual plans ahead for such a circumstance. The foreign teacher should be prepared to independently search for accommodations. A one bedroom apartment can cost up to $600 US per month. The best time of the year for hiring would be March to April.
The teacher is advised that customary practice in hiring is to sign on for perhaps up to a year contract in order to obtain the necessary working documentation. Most schools may want a certain commitment. The larger language schools can usually help with the necessary paper work. Teachers may be paid $15 US per hour in private institutes and perhaps more for private lessons, for which he or she must register and pay a small percentage of tax. Work is most plentiful in Buenos Aires; however, the teacher may look for work in Mendoza, Cordoba or the Patagonia.
Traveling to Argentina
Argentina, known as the most European country” of all South America, is located in the southern hemisphere, next to Chile and southwest of Brazil. The population of this immense, natural resource rich, and beautiful country is estimated to be just fewer than 40 million. The color of the flag stands for the color of the sky, as one feels surrounded by a big bubble under it. The “pampas” or flat lands are home to rich soils, a broad farm land, ranches, and the traditional delicious beef cattle.
On Argentina’s west side of the country lies the rocky Andes mountain range and to the south are the very green Patagonian Lake District landscapes. The center of the country opens up to the southern Atlantic ocean and borders Uruguay through the Rio de la Plata (River of Silver). Temperatures are very mild for the most part, ranging from 90°F to 68 °F during the summer and from 54 °F to 39 °F during the winter. Seasons are cooler in the southern Patagonia and at the higher altitudes.
Buenos Aires is Argentina’s largest metropolitan area with a population of approximately 13 million. Most Argentinians are Caucasian, mostly of Italian and Spanish descent. The currency is the Argentine Peso approximately $1 US dollar to 3.5 Pesos. The country’s political history has been weighed down with years of military totalitarian rule and most recently economic collapse. The country is recovering from many years of turbulent governments. Argentina has a rich historical memory of a past era of wealth. Buenos Aires has many monuments, museums, opera houses, and of course, the graves of their beloved Eva Peron (Evita) and the most famous tango singer Carlos Gardel. No visit to Buenos Aires would be complete without going to a live tango show. The capital is a stunning city filled with French Colonial architecture and giant sycamore trees. The Argentines are superb cooks, putting together their earthy, strong, yet tasty, red wine usually accompanied with a fine cut of the thickest juiciest beef, cooked on the traditional wood burning brick “asados” (barbeques).
Argentine people are somewhat conservative, courteous, family oriented, and proud. They place great importance on appearances. Bring your nicest clothes, as you would feel better among them. Their Spanish is certainly infused with Italian phrases and accent. Some extraordinary places to explore are to the north, the giant Iguazu Falls, which border Brazil, or Mendoza to the west, an excellent wine growing territory, or the relaxing gorgeous mountainous vistas in the Patagonia, or the short ride to Colonia, Uruguay, a certainly a must-see town.
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