The International Schools Review Forum

For sure got the royal treatment being a single American man, but it was more from the fact that a dollar still means something and if you have a 20 in your pocket you're pretty loaded.

The S/C american school look for full bilingual (spanish) speaking teachers at the Cambridge fair because:

1) Outside S/C America the US has the second highest number of spanish speakers.

2) The BOS fair is earlier then the SF fair.

They want a fully bilingual spanish speaker because discussing private aspects of a students life requires a complexity of language that is not helped by having to make an advising/counseling session an ELL lesson as well.

I understand your qualifications but in the latin culture its not common to discuss your problems with a stranger (even if they are a professional), this is something thats done with a family member or friend. The same goes for psychometric testing as well. It really can only identify weakness in someone (is the perception). The only schools that are going to have a need for that are the few truly multicultural western ISs (and mainly the "American" schools). Many of the positions will be very light on the counseling and testing aspects of the job.
Marketing yourself as a college advising counselor would increase your marketability, since navigating admissions to American universities is something a SCA school would be more willing to "buy".

Once again you don't listen. Why would I market myself as a college counselor when I am a Psychologist???? That makes no sense. I do not desire to work in a position that I am not qualified for nor would I apply for such. I apply to American schools first then bilingual.

Anyway if anyone has helpful advice I welcome it. Thank you all.

From what I have experienced (correct me if I'm wrong) at even the top international schools in many Latin American countries the majority of students are local or from other Latin American countries. That's why they prefer to hire bilingual people or locals for many specialist positions.

Guatemala is a great place to learn to speak Spanish, if that's something you are interested in. Very cheap and of high quality, and since it's 1 on 1 you can learn fast. I would recommend that for 6 weeks or so as your first step towards becoming more proficient.

Hi PsychBean,

Have you considered going the private practice route? I heard 2nd hand of someone in Taipei who makes 15K USD/month (not a typo) doing psycho/educational evals and therapy.

In the large SEA city I am in, there are 6mo+ waits to see a child psych. We push to get kids tested at the beginning of August, and they can't even see someone until well after spring break. I'm talking about professionals who can administer a mix of WISC IV, WIAT III, BASC II, and Conners III and appropriate achievement tests.

If that is your area of expertise, maybe you don't need to work for a school after all. I would guess that there is a similar need in S/C American countries as well.


[quote="PsychBean"]Hello All,

I am currently working in the ME and I would love to work in South or Central America. I interviewed with a school which was 1st on my list but I did not get that position because I unfortunately was not bilingual. I am taking this year to get my spanish speaking skills up and may do an intensive lesson for 6 weeks next summer in Costa Rica. The school suggested we keep in touch just incase something opens up. I am hopeful about something in the future. Here is the thing though.... since I am in the ME I cannot go to any job fairs unless it is in Dubai I can just fly over on the weekend. I do not get time off for fairs, but I think I just may have to get myself to that AASSA fair this year for next.

Any advice would be welcomed on how I could better my chances or just what could one do... Oh I am a School Psychologist with 4 years experience by the 2014-2015 school year with 1 dependent child in tow.[/quote]

[quote="chilagringa"]From what I have experienced (correct me if I'm wrong) at even the top international schools in many Latin American countries the majority of students are local or from other Latin American countries. That's why they prefer to hire bilingual people or locals for many specialist positions.

Guatemala is a great place to learn to speak Spanish, if that's something you are interested in. Very cheap and of high quality, and since it's 1 on 1 you can learn fast. I would recommend that for 6 weeks or so as your first step towards becoming more proficient.[/quote]

Thank you I will consider Guatemala.

[quote="nikkor"]Hi PsychBean,

Have you considered going the private practice route? I heard 2nd hand of someone in Taipei who makes 15K USD/month (not a typo) doing psycho/educational evals and therapy.

In the large SEA city I am in, there are 6mo+ waits to see a child psych. We push to get kids tested at the beginning of August, and they can't even see someone until well after spring break. I'm talking about professionals who can administer a mix of WISC IV, WIAT III, BASC II, and Conners III and appropriate achievement tests.

If that is your area of expertise, maybe you don't need to work for a school after all. I would guess that there is a similar need in S/C American countries as well.


Actually all the tests you have mentioned I currently administer and then some. People typically don't know the names... Are you a school psychologist?? There's a waiting list in ME for outside agencies also. But in my current country I can not go private would need Kuwaiti sponsor.

How would I go about private route in south or Central America?? Also need to consider my child traveling with? Thanks for great option!

I worked in Latin America for over 10 years and studied at 2 international schools there as well. I was the child of a board member at one of these schools. I've visited 20+ schools in the region on PD and sports trips. I met perhaps one expat staff member in my experience who was fully bilingual and do not know of a single one of these schools that hire teachers who were specifically bilingual. Quite a few of the teachers spoke a bit of Spanish and many others learned the language while in LA.

I've met many expat as well as bilingual locals working as school psychologists.

[quote="calciodirigore"]I worked in Latin America for over 10 years and studied at 2 international schools there as well. I was the child of a board member at one of these schools. I've visited 20+ schools in the region on PD and sports trips. I met perhaps one expat staff member in my experience who was fully bilingual and do not know of a single one of these schools that hire teachers who were specifically bilingual. Quite a few of the teachers spoke a bit of Spanish and many others learned the language while in LA.

I've met many expat as well as bilingual locals working as school psychologists.[/quote]

So if I understand you correctly... And I'm not sure I do. You mean don't get my hopes down??

PsychBean, did you see the posting for Bolivia on Tieonline?

[quote="mamanaia"]PsychBean, did you see the posting for Bolivia on Tieonline?[/quote]

Yes Mama I did. Then I read the reviews on tie online and was very afraid! Also it pays something like 16-19k.....

Does anyone have first hand experience in Bolivia?

I only saw the posting, didn't look at reviews. Hope it works out for you.

[quote="mamanaia"]I only saw the posting, didn't look at reviews. Hope it works out for you.[/quote]


I looked at reviews on ISR not Tie. I hope it works out for me as we'll. thanks for the positive well wishes!

Yes - do not get hopes down. Keep trying...good luck!

@PsychBean

You are not a psychologist outside the USA or your home country. Your "license" is no more valid outside the country as it is in another state. Unless you specifically apply for a license to practice in that country and qualify then your not a licensed practitioner.

Outside the USA the distinction between psychologist and counselor can lose any meaning, and being a counselor makes you more marketable. I dont know what your training program consisted of, mine included coursework in career counseling, which is highly applicable to college counseling and advising. Your possible familiarity with psychometrics such as the Strong Interest Inventory would additionally be highly relevant to a college advising counselor.