Too Dangerous in Caracus?
 

My son seems determined to continue his plans to go to Caracus for a year to teach English in a city English teaching center. Anyone have recent experience there, as an American? I'm trying to discourage him.

Well..... Indeed Caracas does have one of the highest murder rates in Latin America . A lot would depend on where your son was teaching .... Not walking late at nite. Even in daylight steering clear of certain areas . All things which I am sure he allready knows . I was there in the late '80's , a very prosperous time from oil and tourism .... so all was calm . The country has since been in terrible political and economic upheaval . Terribly sad . He definitely needs to do lots of research .

If your son had written to me and somehow I think he has..I've put him in contact by e-mail and cell phone # of our friend in Caracas. Ask if he's talked to Ana because of Parrot Mom

Thank you so much for the response. I didn't think my son has been on this website, but I copied and sent your email on to him.

If he has been in contact I'm sure he's reached my friend.. if he is NOT have him write to me at [email protected] If it were my son I'd worry too..lol, but (he was also asking about a room to rent), but our friend speaks perfect english and will send him to the safest areas. Right now she is busy sending her sons away to learn engish in Ohio and Toronto..

I was wondering if there was a specific reason for Caracas? There are certainly plenty of opportunities in other Spanish speaking countries. There are plenty of places, such as Mexico. I have met people who have taught in Oaxaca and Colima and have not had to worry about security as you would have to in Caracas. This would be true in many other places in MEX as well. Likewsie, there is demand in Spain in cities such as Valencia.

Dude,

Do you have any specifics on how my son could get information about these other opportunitites? He actually is interested in a program where he could exchange his English proficiency to learn Spanish. Caracas was the best, most economical (now we know why) program. He also happens to have an American friend down there now, but I think if there were a comparable program elsewhere, he would consider it.

The only thing that I am aware of is people who go to language schools also have employment at the same schools or others during teaching English. I went to school with a guy in Oaxaca at Becari language school, when I cam back 6 months later was still studying at the school and teaching English elsewhere. As recently as this summer one of the directors at a langauge school in Oaxaca told my daughter that she thought it would be possible for her to find a place to teach English while she studied Spanish. I would start contacting langauge schools in places like Cuernavaca and Oaxaca to see what you can find out.