To view a collection of photos taken from past participants, click on the appropriate link below:
Parent Testimonials
My daughter, Emily, taught at EducaUC in Chile with the TeachingChile program from July through November 2010. This had been a long-held dream of hers to teach English in a Spanish speaking country and to immerse herself in their language and culture. After researching many options she decided to apply to the TeachingChile program. Although Emily is a mature young woman who is very independent, I am like most parents in wanting to know a bit more about her plans of living and working in a foreign country that is six thousand miles away.
While those companies may be great, they did not allow a participant to know in advance specifically where they would be placed in the country until they arrived. With TeachingChile you knew your placement before arriving. Also, when you called or emailed to ask questions you were connected directly with either Bruce, the director, or Andrea, the program coordinator. This personal relationship and involvement with their teachers helped me to feel very comfortable about sending Emily off to Chile.
Her experience with the TeachingChile program proved to be everything Emily had desired. Her homestay in Rancagua was a perfect fit for her, and she loved the school, her students, and fellow teachers. I believe the fact that Bruce and Andrea personally select and place their teachers helps ensure that a "good fit" is much more likely. A teacher is not randomly placed and that is a huge difference between TeachingChile and other similar programs.
The TeachingChile program lived up to all of my daughter's expectations in terms of helping her acclimate to a new country and culture, as well as connecting her with a great group of fellow participants in the program. Bruce and Andrea provided wonderful support every step of the way. As her semester drew to a close, Emily developed a lingering cold that eventually turned into a serious case of pneumonia that resulted in her being hospitalized for a week.
I was unable to travel to Chile myself because of my own health issues at the time, but Emily's boyfriend, Jeremy, flew to Chile to stay with her. In the interim before he arrived, Bruce called me multiple times a day to update me on Emily's condition and helped to oversee her care. Bruce met Jeremy at the airport and had pre-arranged all his transportation to get him to Rancagua, where Emily was staying.
There are simply no words to convey how thankful our family is for Bruce and Andrea. It was like having extended family on the ground in Chile who cared deeply for our daughter and her well-being. This personal involvement was what I instinctively felt when I had talked with Bruce while Emily was applying for the program, and during Emily's health crisis this proved to be absolutely true. There is no greater fear as a parent than having your child seriously ill so far from home, being unable to get there yourself, and having to rely on others to care for her. I can honestly say that Bruce and Andrea were answers to our prayers. At one point they simply cleared their schedules of all appointments so they could attend to Emily and communicate with us back in the U.S.
The one thing I know for certain is that this response is not unusual for Bruce and Andrea. They are extremely caring, compassionate individuals who direct a quality program with great personal integrity. If your child is considering applying for TeachingChile and you have any questions or concerns you would like to discuss with a fellow parent, I would be happy to communicate with you. I am now the biggest parent fan for TeachingChile because I have personally experienced what sets them miles apart from any other teacher placement program in Chile.
Participant Testimonials
I've just finished my tenure teaching in Aysén in the south of Chile, one of the more remote and beautiful regions of the world.
TeachingChile arranged this placement for me, to work with local businesses that need English instruction. Aysén is really off the beaten track, and I would never have seen this part of the country otherwise, with its huge mountains, forests and glaciers were it not for this teaching opportunity.
Living and working in Patagonia has been quite an experience; the students are friendly and really want to learn, and (although the weather left a great deal to be desired), it has been memorable.
Like a lot of people my age, I felt a little lost after graduating from college. Uncertain about my career direction, but knowing I had a love for traveling and a craving for new, exciting experiences, I decided to do a little internet research about working abroad.
I stumbled upon the Teaching Chile website (but was originally worried I hit an internet scam!)
After a quick phone call to Bruce I was quickly reassured that TeachingChile was anything but a safe support system that helped me fund my love of traveling through steady work. Upon arrival into Chile I soon met some life-long friends from around the world—many of whom were in the same boat as I was. Living in Chile for the year got me out of my post college rut and gave me a new passion and direction in life.
The best part is that the year of practical job experience in an exotic, foreign setting has provided the extra ‘wow’ factor on my grad school application. After returning to the USA, now I am on my way to complete a public policy Masters Degree in International Relations. Thank you, Bruce (and TeachingChile), for helping me make the best decision of my life!
Thanks so much. We really appreciate how far out of the way you've gone for both of us... the whole time.
I remember arriving beleaguered by not only being in a new country, but also by having MORE bureaucratic steps to make, in a new place, and all to be done in a new language! (Universal Fact: Chileno not = Castellano)
You were so helpful from the get-go, and the only company resident in Chile with information and experience. You've been extremely responsive and helpful from the beginning as well. In short, you've set a special example for us to follow in terms of personal care.
It's been a pleasure working with you, being in the program with TeachingChile.
You've been a director, and a friend.
Thank you so much for your support and love throughout this whole process.
TeachingChile is a program that offers people with different interests a variety of opportunities. Whether you are looking to travel, improve your Spanish skills, or investigate an academic interest, TeachingChile can provide you with the stepping-stones you need in order to make those things happen.
TeachingChile is a fantastic program that allows you to teach and learn while broadening your perspectives by living in another country. I am very grateful that I did this program and Bruce and Andrea have always been extremely helpful with any questions or needs that I have had.
I decided to go to Chile to improve my Spanish and learn more about the school system in the country. I was placed in Melipilla, a small town outside of Santiago, so I was really able to get to know my campus and students. My Spanish fluency increased quickly due to the constant interaction with students and people in that area. Being a small town, everyone knew where the "gringo" house was and they were all very welcoming and kind during my time there.
The year I initially spent in Chile sparked some academic interests that I am currently pursuing and Bruce has provided continual help. Since leaving Chile in 2009, I have been back to Chile twice, to visit friends and to work. I plan on returning to do my dissertation research and cannot wait for that opportunity.
TeachingChile is a program that offers people with different interests a variety of opportunities. Whether you are looking to travel, improve your Spanish skills, or investigate an academic interest, TeachingChile can provide you with the stepping-stones you need in order to make those things happen.
Teaching English in Chile with the TeachingChile program was one of the most exciting and enriching experiences of my life. Chile is a fantastic country, with great people, diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes, and unique cultures.
Going to teach in another country can definitely be a daunting adventure to say the least, however, Bruce and Andrea were there every step of the way to help familiarize, guide, answer questions, and solve problems. They supported us through the governmental and paperwork processes, escorting us to the multiple government offices and buildings and answering the many questions we all had. Without them the whole process would have been a nightmare. No matter what the issue, they were always there to help, which was very comforting to know.
My experience teaching was very rewarding; my students were great and had a real interest in learning. Not only did the program allow me to experience a new culture and lifestyle, it also provided plenty of time for me to travel during scheduled breaks to other parts of South America such as Bolivia and Peru. The experiences I had and the friends I made are truly unforgettable.
I would definitely recommend the TeachingChile program to anyone who wants to see another part of the world, while helping people and meeting like-minded individuals.
Thank you TeachingChile for this incredible experience, and I hope that anyone considering an international teaching position will choose TeachingChile as the secure, proven, and exceptional option.
TeachingChile was a great experience for several reasons. First, it gave me real teaching experience in which was an excellent tool to help me determine if it was something I wanted to do further down the road.
Second, it gave me the opportunity to travel, live abroad and to meet people from all over all while getting paid.
Third, Bruce and Andrea were amazing. They were available whenever I needed them throughout the whole process. They made the whole transition go smoothly even when some unforeseen events like earthquakes cropped up.
I had an amazing time and I'm convinced that having this experience has given me an edge over other applicants in the job market and at grad schools.
“I wanted to let you know that I’m back in the United States now! I had such a wonderful time in Chile, and seriously learned more in 2 years than I had learned in the prior 23 years. Thanks for all your help and support.”
Click on the following link to read an interesting article published by the Orange County Register regarding a TeachingChile participant from California. Click here to view article.
"I just wanted to say a big thanks for everything this year! You have an incredible organisation.
From the beginning you were so friendly, efficient and organised. When I arrived in Chile clueless and frightened, you made the transition easy for me.
I had an incredible year and I've recommended your program to everyone I meet! I have a feeling I might be returning to Chile in future…it's captured all our hearts!
Okay, well thanks again for everything. I'm just back in Ireland and it's a really strange feeling! But i'll adapt anyway! Besos."
“I have just returned from Vina del Mar in Chile. I taught English at DUOC and my placement was organised by TeachingChile. TeachingChile participants received a training session for 10 days in Santiago before moving to the various sites.
This provides a good opportunity to meet your fellow teachers and subsequently have a contact in many of Chile's cities.
Once on site, all recruited teachers are treated comparably to local teachers. Local teachers are paid by the hour and the wages are low.
I found the TeachingChile program flexible in terms of accommodation and on-going obligations. Bruce Thompson (the TeachingChile coordinator) was efficient and helpful. He organised my placement, visa and sorted out any issues I had with DUOC during my stay.
The advantage of going through one of these organisations is the access to places like DUOC and the stamp of approval your application gets. It is difficult to get a student or work visa in Chile from abroad without an institution to sponsor you and for me this justified a good part of the fee.
On a lighter note, the TeachingChile placement allowed me to travel from Vina to Ushuaia and back through Argentina in a beaten up old Nissan. We had a great group of 10 English teachers in the Vina/Valpo area and together with our Chilean friends it seemed like one long party in those colourful bars that hang on the hills overlooking the bay of Valparaiso."
“First of all, thank you Bruce and Andrea for providing such an amazing level of support through TeachingChile. I’m the kind of person who doesn’t mind figuring things out on the fly and was a bit hesitant to coordinate my overseas experience through an organized program.
My first conversations over the phone with Bruce gave me a positive feel for the benefits of the program but it wasn't until I arrived in Chile that I realized the program was worth it's weight in gold. From the incredibly helpful and comprehensive welcome packet I received upon arrival to assistance with many un-foreseen issues that surfaced, the TeachingChile program was nothing but a blessing and a lifesaver and truly has enhanced my experience as an ESL teacher in Santiago, Chile.
I would recommend the TeachingChile program to anyone without a single hesitation and I have recommended it to several people already. In addition to the support and organization of Bruce and Andrea, it also has been terrific to meet and become friends with the other program participants. It's like having an instant network of friends who can relate on the same level due to the shared experiences- it's fantastic."
I just returned from a semester teaching in Chile through TeachingChile, and I wanted to write to share what a positive experience it was for me. As a program, TeachingChile is rock solid.
Bruce Thompson–who runs the program as a volunteer– is professional, helpful, and extremely attentive to details, in addition to being a wonderful and caring person.
I enjoyed working at DUOC because it gave me contact with 18-25 year old Chileans in a real school environment. The most rewarding part of the experience was getting to know my students in and out of the classroom. The biggest frustration for me was that my students, kind and hilarious though they were, were sometimes pretty unmotivated to learn English.
A word about finances: I survived pretty well on my 300,000 peso monthly salary. My apartment was on the cheap side, 100,000, and I would spend less than 50,000 on food and transportation, so I would have 150,000 left over for going out, going on weekend trips, etc, and I only occasionally dipped into my savings.
Overall, I had a great experience in Santiago, and I recommend TeachingChile highly."
“Bruce, I just want to thank you for all of your help with my transition to Chile. I think that you and your colleague, Andrea, go above and beyond for the teachers you bring to Chile.
There is a big difference between people who care and those who don't. It is very evident that you really care about the schools which you work with and the teachers you recruit.
I want to wish you and TeachingChile the best of luck in the future. I know that with the care and dedication you show, you will have no problem keeping this program a success. Also, if you ever need a reference for an incoming teacher, please feel free to contact me. I would gladly recommend this program to anyone who is interested."
“Having had visited Chile on a previous trip, I had a great desire to return not simply as a traveller, but in a capacity that would allow me to learn about the people, culture and community – first hand. After exhaustive searches both online and via organisations, I came upon TeachingChile.
Upon contacting TeachingChile I was instantly impressed with their professional, up front and honest manner. Once I made the decision to go with the organisation I was led through what can be a painful visa process with the utmost ease. From the first contact I made from home in Sydney to the last day of semester I felt secure in everything that TeachingChile provided for me.
The position I was granted teaching in the south of Chile was perfect for me. Not only was I teaching middle class Chileans and experiencing everyday life, but I was also living alongside some of the world's most beautiful nature reserves, mountains, rivers, lakes and beaches. As a keen surfer and lover of the outdoors I found myself with very little to complain about. Apart from the water – it's pretty bloody cold."
“Teaching English to high school students in Santiago was by far one of the most rewarding experiences of my lifetime thus far, and I could not be more grateful to have acquired this job post-graduation.
The challenges and joys of teaching students a foreign language are incomparable to anything else.
The TeachingChile program is incredibly well-organized due to the tremendous efforts of Bruce Thompson and Andrea Rodriguez. They were both so helpful and available before and during my time in Chile. I cannot thank them both enough for their personal attention and concern for every aspect of my stay, from getting around and living in Santiago, to planning weekend trips, to genuine moral support.
Throughout my five months living 6000 miles away from home, never once did I feel like I didn't have someone available in the same city to ask questions about anything. I taught 5 days a week, but spent the weekends and national holidays experiencing the gorgeous country outside Santiago.
One of the greatest experiences was piling in a little white rental car with an Aussie, a Brit, an American, and a tattered Lonely Planet book. Paving our own paths through 500 miles of Chilean countryside and coastline, we attempted the use of our sub-par Spanish, discovered many isolated parts of Chile, and immersed ourselves in Chilean culture for a very memorable holiday weekend.
Teaching English is one of the best ways and reasons to travel, and I would highly recommend this program to anyone considering such an incredible opportunity!"
"Thank you so much for bringing me to Chile. Your program is so wonderful and I never doubted the authenticity of the program.
I always had complete confidence that I would be taken care of in the "foreign land" from the very beginning. I have had a wonderful experience and could not have asked for a better method to get me here.
I wish all the luck to TeachingChile and all of its future projects. It has been a pleasure, and thank you again."
Without all of your effort, this exchange would have been impossible. Thanks so much.
Student Testimonials
Chilean students answered the question in written form to the question:
Responses from Chilean students (unedited) are as follows:
Para mí el Ingles es un idioma importante, ya que es vital saber esta idioma, ya que todo está relacionado con Ingles, un ejemplo en Internet la mayoría de las paginas están en este idioma. Al viajar también es muy importante para poder comunicarse con los demás personas. Y en el trabajo igual es muy importante.
Ingles es importante para mí porque hace que aspire a más oportunidades de trabajo e incluso poder viajar en el futuro al extranjero no importándome el tabú del idioma. El Ingles es una lengua universal, tengo que aprenderla si o si.
Me guastan las idiomas. Me gusta el Ingles. Es muy útil para la carrera. Me interesa aprender el idioma porque me gustara viajar y conocer otros países, y el Ingles es casi universal.