Teaching English in Peru

There are many language schools that hire native English speakers to teach English in Peru. It is generally not necessary to have a degree or a TESOL designation to get a job.  Lima, Cusco, and other large towns are good places to look.

I chose to come to Chachapoyas to teach at ILC - the International Language Center, based on glowing testimonials on their website and by a recommendation from someone on this forum who used to teach there.  I learned that hard way that things at ILC have gone downhill since 2009 -- when all those happy teachers had wonderful things to say about it.

When I arrived in February 2012, there were about a dozen teachers at ILC, mostly from America, Europe, and Australia.  Not one of them was happy with the current state of the school.

Some teachers hadn't been paid for work they'd done 3 months prior.  Three teachers left this month and another four are quitting in the next few weeks.   I left because we couldn't get books, workbooks, or even photocopies for ourselves or our students. It was impossible to plan our first classes because we'd get our schedule a few hours before the class started (if we were lucky).  The internet was turned off (and is still off 3 weeks later) and 3 computers were sold off.  The 2 remaining computers barely function.

If you do the math, there should be plenty of tuition to cover the cost of books and payroll, even during the lean times.  I won't speculate where the money's going.

On the other hand, Chachapoyas is a nice, little town in the mountains of Amazonas.  There are many ancient archeological sites nearby, but it's off the beaten Machu Picchu track.  If you're looking for a way to make a few soles (and don't mind waiting for your money), while taking a little vacation, then go ahead and give ILC a try.  But if you want a real teaching job at a real school, maybe you'd better skip it.