Work VISA

The Sam Marsalli Institute is one of the few Institutes authorized by the local authorities to process a residency visa for its teachers. The teacher's work visa is processed in Chile upon arrival .  This permits you to start working immediately. The duration of visa in Chile is 6 months to 1 year and it is renewable.

Although some people in Chile work "illegally" in our field, it is not recommended. Getting caught can certainly affect your profile with international police permanently.

Work Schedule

The typical work schedule is usually 5-7 hours per day. Teachers must be available during the peak hours of 8-12 A.M. and 7-10 P.M. Monday through Friday. Teachers must also be available two Saturday mornings a month from 9 A.M.-1:30 P.M., as we give make-up classes on these mornings. Your work commitment must cover the time period of 6 months to 1 year.

Excellent Training - We do Not Charge Training Fees

No Experience is Necessary.

An Excellent Training Program Especially is Designed For People With No Experience. (We do not charge any fees)

A 2 week Training Program in our methodology backed up by a platform of continuous daily support after your initial training, assures you results in teaching your students. You start working part time  and earning an income while you complete your second week of training which makes this "Hands on Training" very successful.

Teachers are provided with backup support and professional guidance on a daily basis with a trainer. Our new teachers appreciate this constant backup system (not available in other schools) so they "feel prepared" when they go into the classroom.

Sam Marsalli Teachers are the Most Prepared in the Market

Qualifications - Requirements

 We only hire native English speakers as teachers. We prefer people who are not teachers and who have very little or no teaching experience.

We look for communication skills in the applicants' background that would demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate with people. We want to be sure this person would be "thrilled" when his (her) students are successful and have compassion and ability to motivate them when necessary. We look for some work experience, regardless of the field, which can indicate acceptance of job responsibilities.

Teachers must be prepared to be placed in either Santiago, Concepcion or Antofagasta.

The placement will be determined at the end of the training program depending on the Institutes current needs. All our contracts are from 6 months to 1 full calendar year.

Teachers must be prepared to work split shifts plus 2 Saturday mornings per month.

Certificate

At the end of your term with Sam Marsalli a certificate is given confirming the number of classroom hours taught and training hours (or study hours) of the methodology during your academic year. This is an excellent image for your resume no matter what field or profession you enter later on.

Compensation

People receive their pay once a month in Chile. In Sam Marsalli employees are paid during the first 5 week days of each month. Teachers salaries are paid on an hourly basis based on their schedules (hours worked,) with a normal schedule being 5 to 7 hours daily, depending on each teacher's ability and desire to work. A teacher's income should be approximately 350.000 - 400.000 pesos net per month with a 35 hour work week which is the  average income in Chile..)

This income will permit a teacher to maintain a typical middle class standard of living in Chile

HOUSING & LIVING EXPENSES

Sam Marsalli has special "hosts" available to help arrange your housing when you arrive. Over the years a "network" of housing experiences permits us to arrange initial housing for the teacher with proven references. Temporary Housing is arranged for the teacher for their first month here at a reasonable cost to the teacher. This is usually shared housing. This allows a teacher time to arrange for more permanent quarters, in accordance with their specific needs and budget.

Guidance and suggestions are readily available from co-workers, staff members and our "host in charge", who have been very successful in obtaining housing in the past. You can calculate about 80,000 - 100,000 pesos a month for shared, furnished housing. Another alternative is renting a room in a Chilean household. Renting your own individual apartment is usually not recommended, due to the high cost of such accommodations. You will need an additional 80,000 pesos a month for food and transportation. We would recommend you bring approximately $1,500 as "startup" money to permit you to get settled in and begin working. (This covers such things as first month's rent and 1 month deposit, as well as living expenses during the two week training period.) We also recommend that animals do not accompany you, due to the difficulty in finding living accommodations that will accept pets.

General Information:

Transportation

Santiago is the type of city where practically every vicinity is nearby. You can live close to the Institute without difficulty (within 20-30 minutes) on the salary you will be making. Public transportation is excellent in Santiago with frequent buses (every 5-10 minutes) and an advanced subway system. The complete network is very good and easy to get around on.

Our Institute in Concepción, the capital of the 8° region is approximately 500 kilometers or 300 miles south of Santiago. It is a smaller city, together with neighboring Talcahuano, forms part of one of Chile´s major industrial centers. Located at the mouth of the famous Biobio River, it is a good springboard for exploring one of the most beautiful areas in the world between the Coastal Range and the Pacific. Although the Concepción city bus system is excellent, this is a "walkable city".

Our new Institute in Antofagasta in the 2nd region is close to different regional attractions and beaches. The transportation in Antofagasta is also excellent and this city is also walkable.

Currency and Banking

The Chilean currency is the peso. There is no problem exchanging money in Santiago or most other large cities in Chile. This also applies to changing pesos to dollars if you need to pay bills in North America. There are a number of American banks operating in Chile such as Citibank, Bank of Boston, etc. which can also help in the transfer of funds. The banking system here is quite sophisticated and you may access your account in the United States through ATM machines. Credit cards such as VISA and MASTERCARD are readily accepted.

Internet Access

Internet  Access is available through WIFI or 3G in the Institute..

Working in Sam Marsalli - A Complete Concept

As you can see, everything has been thought of to help you "easily break into" to Chilean life, from the residency visa, housing, job income security, a most complete concept carefully designed by Sam Marsalli to permit you to easily integrate into a whole new and dynamic experience in the Chilean culture.

Testimonials

Orice Tanner • Cibolo, TX, USA

English Teacher (03/02- 03/04)

Working at Sam Marsalli was an integral part of my Chilean experience. It provided me with the unique opportunity to work abroad legally, with health insurance. The most important things that I gained were working with some great people and the lifelong friendships that I made.

Kim B • Oregon, USA

Program? (1997-99)

I had a great experience. Granted there were some challenges, but you find that in any work place. The experience is what you make it. If you want to find the negative, you will. I applied to the institute because I wanted to teach ESL in South America and travel. I went into the experience with an open mind and with minimal expectations, meaning I didn't expect to make lots of money or expect the same type of organizational/business standards one can find in the United States. I also had the attitude that if I didn't like it, I could bail. It worked out that I was able to stay a second year. The methodology was easy to pick up and after I felt comfortable with the material, it was fun. After a short time and familiarity with the lessons, I became a better instructor because I could anticipate common problem or difficult areas for the students. I also adhered to the 'no Spanish' in class rule. I enjoyed the teaching aspects. This job opportunity is not for everyone. I know several that didn't appreciate the experience at the institute. For me it was rewarding and it enhanced my marketability and job prospects when I returned to the United States. If I had a few years to play, I would return.

Sara Higgins • Huntsville, Alabama

ESL teacher (March 2004- March 2005)

I thoroughly enjoyed my year in Chile, teaching with Sam Marsalli Institute. The teaching method is easy and requires little to no preparation, allowing plenty of time to enjoy Chilean culture outside of work. I made friends with my students and other teachers, some of which I still maintain contact. I had the privilege of teaching in both Santiago and Concepcion, each location being a very distinct and rewarding experience. The pay was suffice and the staff very supportive.

Wambui Njuguna • Nairobi, Kenya

Intensive English Track (September 2002)

As a result of my teaching experience at Sam Marsalli, I decided to make a career out of ESL/EFL teaching. I taught at Sam Marsalli English Language Institute for six months, then I moved to Chicago and have been here ever since. I just completed my Master's degree in Applied Linguistics/ TESOL, and it was due to my time in Chile, learning a foreign language while teaching one, that really cemented my interest in this field. It was a wonderful opportunity and I look forward to teaching abroad once again.