I recently completed a multidisciplinary degree program with an emphasis on Spanish and Latin American Studies. As well as I may read/understand Spanish, my ability to produce it is still only at an advanced survival level. That said, I'm looking into doing a TEFL certificate program in Latin America. As far as I can find right now, there are programs in Guadalajara, Mexico, Cusco, Peru, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. I nearly paid for the course with the EBC, before finding students that reported that the program is 'sub par' and doesn't deliver on half of the promises. This program promotes itself as having higher standards than other programs that permit the enrollment of students under 21 and students without work experience or college degrees.

Some teachers say that the certificate programs are a waste of time but from judging from the job postings, most positions prefer that the teachers have had the training. I do have two years worth of classroom experience as an educational assistant, but no experience as an actual teacher. I'm hoping to find a program that does more than sell me a piece of paper.

Besides obtaining the proper credentials, I also plan on staying in Latin America for several months, teaching, and gaining fluency in Spanish. I'm open minded about the final destination. In terms of finding recent accounts of anyone who has gone through the programs, I haven't found anyone. Any advice is appreciated. I have no delusions about making money, I'm looking for suggestions that may contribute to the end result of this goal.

I understand Guatemala is a good place to study Spanish and stay for a while very cheaply. I'm wondering if I'm better off leaving the USA without the certificate and looking for contacts along the way and perhaps working on my Spanish for a month before committing to a program.