We asked Global English TESOL graduate Camelia Smith about her experiences teaching English in Colombia. We discovered a lot about rambunctious young learners and serious teenagers eager to improve their English. Read on to find out more about her experiences in Colombia.
Key facts
- Who: Camelia Smith, Global English TESOL graduate
- Where: a volunteer school in Barranquilla, Colombia
- Course: the 150-hour Global English TESOL course, studied online
- Outcome: taught 5–10 year olds and teenagers, gained classroom confidence, and now plans to teach in Spain and return to South America
How do you start teaching English in Colombia?
Hi Camelia, what was your background before coming to TESOL and what made you want to take a TESOL course?
Before embarking on the 150 hour Global English TESOL course, the only experience I had of teaching English was when I volunteered at a school in the city of Barranquilla in Colombia.
What do you learn on a 150-hour TESOL course?
So you were quite new to TESOL then. What are the essential things you learned on the course?
I particularly enjoyed creating the lesson plans, it enabled me to consolidate and apply the knowledge that I had gained from the modules, as well as use my imagination to put myself in the role of a teacher and the thought process and the methods involved in teaching English as a foreign language.
How do you find teaching work in Colombia?
Tell us about how you got your first job teaching English in Colombia.
At the time I was studying Spanish, I wanted to go to travel to a Spanish speaking country to improve my Spanish and do some voluntary work. I found my volunteering opportunity on the internet. I contacted the volunteering officer for the school and was accepted.
What are Colombian students like to teach?
Can you share more about your teaching experiences there?
At the school I taught a class which had children with a wide range of ages, from approximately 5-10 year olds. Initially I shadowed another volunteer teacher from the US, which helped me to gain an idea of methods that were being used to teach the younger students and also helped developed my confidence. I also taught English to an older group of students whose ages ranged between 15 and 16 year olds. I found knowing some Spanish helpful to give instructions and basic explanations.
The school I taught at did not have a lot of resources, it was located in a relatively poor neighbourhood. Despite the lack of resources, the teachers were motivated and were very welcoming. I found the younger school children to be very joyful, and rambunctious. The older students were keen to learn and took learning English very seriously.
Teaching mixed-age classes of energetic young learners is a challenge for any new teacher – if that is where you are heading, our 30-hour Teaching English to Young Learners course builds on exactly the situations Camelia describes.
Is Colombia safe and affordable for English teachers?
That's really interesting in that the attitudes of the learners changed as they got older. What about living in Colombia?
I really enjoyed my time in Colombia, I found the people there very friendly, and contrary to perceptions of Colombia, it is safe. The cost of living in Colombia, if coming from the UK or perhaps other European countries is very reasonable. I stayed in a hotel not too far from school.
There is good public transport to get around town. The country is very diverse and if you want to travel to other cities, the most efficient way to get there is by plane.
“I really enjoyed my time in Colombia, I found the people there very friendly, and contrary to perceptions of Colombia, it is safe.”
- Camelia Smith, Global English graduate, Barranquilla, Colombia
As with any destination, check the current gov.uk foreign travel advice for Colombia before you go – it covers safety by region as well as entry rules. For work and volunteer visas, Migración Colombia is the official immigration authority.
What comes after Colombia?
It sounds like you enjoyed your time there. What are you doing now and what are your future plans?
My plans are to teach in Spain next year and then onto Central or South America, perhaps Colombia again, because I absolutely enjoyed my time there.
Thanks Camelia, it's great to hear your story. All the best for your future teaching.
What do you need to teach English in Colombia?
- An accredited TEFL/TESOL certificate – Camelia took the 150-hour Advanced TESOL before volunteering
- Volunteering or a paid post – volunteer placements (often found online, as Camelia’s was) are a common first step; language institutes and bilingual schools hire qualified teachers
- Some Spanish – helpful for instructions and building rapport, though not essential
- The right visa – arranged through Migración Colombia depending on whether you volunteer or work
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to teach English in Colombia?
An accredited TEFL/TESOL certificate of at least 120 hours is the standard requirement; volunteer placements are a common way in, and paid posts at language institutes follow with experience. Some Spanish helps in the classroom. Our teaching English in Colombia guide covers requirements, visas and where the work is.
Is Colombia safe for English teachers?
Camelia found Colombia friendly and – contrary to perceptions – safe, with a very reasonable cost of living and good public transport. Conditions vary by region, so always check the current gov.uk foreign travel advice for Colombia when planning where to live and work.
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Next step
* If you are interested in teaching English in Colombia, find out about the TESOL course that Camelia took with us.
* Read more from our TESOL course graduates teaching English in Colombia.
* Read what TESOL course we recommend for other destinations worldwide.