Jacqui's Teaching English in Chile!

Hola Amigos! I will be teaching English in Chile for at least one year, and I am requesting your help to make this possible!  About four years ago, I was inspired to share my language and knowledge with others around the world, and shortly after that I paid for the training and certification to teach abroad; now that dream is becoming a reality! Unfortunately, the low pay and high cost of living threatens to set me back financially.  I am asking for your help me impact lives through language, and create the possibility of opening a new world of opportunities to my students, with financial peace.

Many of you have reached out and asked how you can help, and this is the best possible way I know.  Thank you for all you love and generosity!

What inspired you to make this step?

My inspiration to make this step in my life comes from a love and fascination of different peoples and cultures. Beyond travel, I have a deep desire to immerse myself in a culture and understand the human experience from a completely different perspective. I love to talk with people and learn about their lives, what they eat and drink, what they listen to, and do for fun.

We have so much to learn from each other! 


Why teach English?

For some time, I had mixed feelings about teaching English.  Why should I be so "lucky" to know this language that allows me to see and experience parts of the world that others may not be able to explore from a lack of knowledge. Ultimately, after a lot of thinking and the overall desire (that would not stop nudging me) to experience the world, I obtained my teaching certificate to teach abroad and worked out a time-line to leave and find a place to teach.

In my experience, a few weeks of travel was not sufficient for me.  In one to two weeks, I had barely scratched the surface! It got me thinking about what I could do so that I could turn my travel into a long-term stay/experience.  In my research, I found opportunities to teach English abroad…I could hardly believe it! I decided on Santiago, Chile, so that while teaching English, I could also learn how to speak Spanish and take part of the culture around me. As a Mexican-American with very little Spanish speaking skills and a deep desire to learn how to speak the language, I came here as a student myself.  

In my short time in Chile, I have felt lonely not having anyone to talk to or speak with.  I hear people talking in Spanish with ease and I ache to do the same!  Oh how much my world would open up if I only spoke Spanish!   How many people and places would I suddenly have access to through language?

And then it hit me; this is exactly why people want to speak English!

Now, I truly see what a gift it is to share your language with another person! This has opened up a space of joy, fun and excitement as I now understand what that opens up for others, as it opens up for me.

It is hard to describe my gratitude for being able to make this bold step and leave my home, friends, family and comforts to enter another world. God has granted me with the gift of connecting with others easily and freely. I am grateful to use this gift to share my language while learning another.

Why do you need funding?

Now that I have begun my Chilean adventure in Santiago, I realize just how much a donation of any amount would be very helpful! I have saved a little money for my trip, however, I plan to stay in Chile for at least one year. With an average monthly salary of $400-800, and the average cost of living being considerably higher, I will more than likely be losing money or breaking even at best for the duration of my stay.

Your donation will help me with the cost incurred for settling into a new place to live, food, toiletries (especially those that were not easy to pack), sheets, blanket, pillow, etc., metro/bus travel expenses, as well as Spanish classes (the company I work for does not offer Spanish lessons), etc.. While I am here, I will also be attending a Bi-Lingual Toastmasters club to build my Spanish speaking skills, connect with locals, and make my TCU Toastmasters back home proud.

I really appreciate you taking the time to learn a little about me and why I am requesting your assistance. Please let me know if you have any other questions or to find out more information on how to teach abroad!