Geez a job.....

Yosser Hughes

I decided I would start my job search on Monday morning.I had spoken to a few people who were teaching English in Medellin at the moment and they all advised me to go to the teaching institutes personally.They advised me to turn up with my CV and certificate, and hand them in.Everyone of them told me its harder to get work here than Bogota,and the pay was less.Its not about the money,its a lifestyle choice living in Medellin.I decided to follow there advice and got the names of four places that taught English.None of these were government schools,they were private company's that taught English to adults.I put on my only pair of shoes,jeans and a shirt that morning and headed out to find me a job.First I had to print of my CV and certificate.I went to a copy shop a few blocks away.I took my laptop in my rucksack and walked in.Now I know what happens to all the old photocopiers I used to sell back home.These copiers were the kind I used to sell to the trade for £25.The kind that had been used for 4 or 5 years by some company back home and deemed no use.Here was a guy in Colombia running a business with them.He had the old style computers,no flat screens here.I thought of all the stuff that gets thrown out back home,and how this guy would kill for it.The Police were in there when I arrived using his equipment, and students from the local uni were coming in.My Spanish didn't go far enough to tell him what I wanted but I showed him the laptop and done a bit of pointing and we got there.The copy quality was up to scratch.I got 5 copies of each and put them in envelopes.I headed for the metro as the first place was in the city centre.I had a rough idea where it was.Once I got off the metro I decided to grab something to eat before I went to the first place.I asked the guy in the chicken place if he knew where this first place was.He pointed me in the right direction and I found it easy.This place looks nice.I walk in and tell the girl on reception I am an English teacher and can I speak to someone about any vacancy's they may have.She tells me to come back at 2pm as the person I need to speak to is at lunch.Everywhere closes 1 till 2 over here.It was 1.15 and I decided to find the second place and come back to this one.This turns into a nightmare, the second place is only a few blocks away but it takes me an hour to find.I walk in the door and standing in front of me is one of the guys who drinks at the hostel.He is friends with the yank who owns it and I have had a few beers with him.He is Colombian but moved to LA with his mum and dad when he was a baby.I explain what I am doing and he takes me up to the reception.The lady takes my CV and tells me she wont be recruiting to the new year but she will be in touch.He tells me he is on good terms with the boss and will ask for me in January.He then tells me he has got a class starting now and do I want to sit in on it.Yeah I would love to.He says it will be good for the students to hear another accent apart from his American one,and can I answer some questions from the students and maybe ask them a few.Sure why not.I walk in and sit down.There around 8 or 9 students all in there early 20s.All eyes are on me.I imagine how its going to feel when its me teaching.No pressure !!.He explains the students are upper intermediate level so they can have conversations but they need to practise.He introduces me and tells everyone I am from London and asks me to describe a typical English Christmas.Getting pissed down the pub springs to mind,but I describe cold weather and everyone eating turkey on Christmas day blah blah blah.I stay for half an hour and it was worth doing.Once the students got over the shyness of speaking in English they were asking me about London, New Years Eve and London premiership teams.I didn't have it in me to tell them I lived in Essex.I headed back to the first place and spoke to the same girl on reception.She points me to an office and tells me to ask for Isabella.I feel a bit nervous this place is a lot plusher.I knock on the door.A man who can see me through the glass calls me in.I feel stupid asking if he speaks English as we are in an English school.He smiles and says yes.It was a stupid question.I ask to speak to Isabella.He tells me to grab a seat and he will get her.Isabella appears a few minutes later and she is fit.Smartly dressed and slim with long brown hair, she introduces herself in perfect English and asks me how she can help.I feel out my depth in here and my thoughts are confirmed when she says I am under qualified.They only employ teachers with degrees and she is unable to help me.She is friendly enough and wishes me luck.Its nearly 4pm now and I decide to head back.I feel tired.Walking about a city lost takes it out of you.I get up the next morning and head for the next two places.The first one is called the British Council.I walk in and explain why I am there.The girl rings upstairs and tells me someone will be down in a minute.A man walks in I offer him a handshake and I explain who I am.It turns out he is one of the students and doesn't understand a word I am saying.The lady I am supposed to speak to comes in.She asks me to come into the other room.We sit down and she asks me if I have my CV.I hand her the envelope and she starts to read.She explains that she speaks mainly Spanish and French but her English is OK.Bit strange were in the British council but what do I know.She asks me a few questions and explains that they wont be recruiting till January but she would be in touch.I go to the last one and its much like the first one,you need a degree.I head back to the hostel and there is a new guy from Baltimore in the US moved into my room.We get on straight away.He is a funny guy and he is here till the 27th Dec.He wants to improve his Spanish and find an apartment to share with some Colombians while he is here.I tell him I am also looking for an apartment and I will come with him to see whats out there.I find out on the grapevine that an English guy who has been teaching English is leaving town and he may know of any vacancy's.I get his email from the yank and he come into the hostel to speak to me.He is from Croydon but he speaks very posh ,must be a first.He tells me of the place he was working and to try there.I head there the next day and Baltimore yank comes with me.I press the buzzer and some older woman comes to the door,I don't know what she is saying,but she goes away.A minute later the door opens and we walk in.I explain to the girl on reception why I am there.She asks for my CV and starts to look at it.A Colombian guy comes in and introduces himself.He is very friendly and asks me a few questions.Would I like to do a test they have.SHIT.What sort of test.I cant remember half the stuff I have learned on this course.Sure I say.How long will it take I ask.That's up to you he replies.I look at the Baltimore Yank.The Colombian looks at him to.You can come back later or tomorrow if you wish says the Colombian.That's a relief.Yes that may be better I reply as we have an appointment to look at an apartment. I can get home now and revise some of the stuff I have been learning.He thanks me for coming and I promise to see him tomorrow.I have a swat up that night and cant believe how much I have forgotten.I arrive the next day and the Colombian guy welcomes me back.They get the paperwork out for me and I sit in the courtyard they have.He is friendly and tells me not to worry about the test to much.Easy for him to say.He is going now but to leave it with the receptionist.The first question is multiple choice but its hard.My mind is blank.Shit.The more I read the more I realise I was swatting up on the wrong stuff.Some of the questions look easy,but some of its hard.I manage to answer everything,but whether its right or not is debatable.One part at the end asks if you think teachers are paid enough money? Bit strange I think.I write down I don't know what teachers earn so I cant comment.I head to one other school I was told about and hand in my CV.Again I am told January.It looks like nothing is happening till January anywhere.Looks like I am having an extended holiday.The Baltimore yank is here for a month and he wants to have a good time.I guess I will have to join him...
In the words of Jackson Brown Jr " Find a job you like and you add five days to every week "