Unfortunately our French is non existent! We speak Spanish and English.

I will still check it out though, thanks so much.

Thanks all, food for thought.

We'd really like to go down the voluntary route, we've decided, so will pursue this. I've two years experience as a coordinator setting up a new department so might see if my skills can be used somewhere. If anyone has any leads on charity work along these lines please let me know.

Thanks for the replies.

lovinoversea: do you know if this program is looking for teachers, and can accommodate a family?? Great idea though.

Teach1010: I've never taught in the States. Would schools there provide housing/schooling for just six months? Wouldn't they rather find a local candidate?

Wasn't sure if this was the right place to post this but if anyone can suggest anywhere better I'm all ears!

I'm a primary teacher with eight years' experience. I have a young family (two kids under five). We've been living in South America for five years. Thanks to differing calendar years, I've got a six month break coming up between contracts. We're looking for somewhere to base ourselves for these six months.

My wife works from home and earns enough to support us all if we live cheaply. I was thinking about a short term teaching gig, maybe voluntary in exchange for housing and schooling for the kids. We are happy to live in a basic way, but would need WiFi. Would love to get out of the city.

We could of course just get a cheap house in a low-cost part of the world and mooch about for six months, but the kids need to be occupied and it would be nice to be part of a community.

Any ideas?

Just seen this:
"we live on the "apple" economy, we want iPhones, iPads, laptops, couture watches, designer clothes, large screen televisions"

We're definitely not living an "apple" economy, more of a Dell one. Another reason we're managing to save I suppose.

Hi Beachfam,

I'm no expert on South America but I just wanted to refute the 20K/year figure. Maybe that is the 'average' overall but just wanted to let you know that the opportunities are there.

I live in Colombia and have just completed my first year of international school teaching. My salary is just over 60K (that includes a housing allowance). All the other usual benefits. Like I said, I'm in my first year - other teachers are earning far more than I am.

I have two dependents and we are still managing to save $15K/year, while still living a good lifestyle with lots of holidays. Of course, part of the reason we're saving is that we don't go out a lot to eat, drink etc, which is fine with us. We do a lot of travel within the country and can afford one 'big' trip a year to visit family back home.

It's a really good lifestyle and I know the 'rival' school near us has comparable salary and benefits.

Like I said, I am not an authority on other countries, just wanted to chip in with my 2c.

Any questions, let me know.