ChACE

ACE in Chile

Graduates of ACE and other UCCE programs are invited to apply for an 18-month post-graduate teaching experience in Santiago, Chile.  "ChACErs" spend one academic year teaching English at St. George's College, as well as other Catholic schools, in Santiago, while earning English as a New Language certification.  Prior to their arrival in Chile, these teachers participate in an intensive Spanish language program in Ecuador.  ChACE then provides an excellent opportunity for teachers to experience a new classroom setting, learn how to better address the needs of English language learners in any classroom, and polish their own Spanish skills.

Download the application in Word (.doc)
Download the application in PDF.

Program FAQs

Q: What is the application process timeline?

A: Notre Dame will send out the application in mid-December and competed applications must be submitted by February 1st. A portion of applicants will be selected for phone interviews based off of the strength of their applications and profile. Final selections are made by March 1st. These dates may vary based on the ability of the schools to view and accept applicants in conjunction with the application committee.

Q: How long am I gone for?

A: The program lasts approximately 18 months (from the beginning of July until Christmas of the following year). During this time you are responsible to your school for work, but will have various breaks throughout the year where you can travel or return home at your own expense.

Q: What do I do during that time?

A: Beginning in early July, participants spend approximately two weeks taking English as a New Language (ENL) courses at Notre Dame. Approximately one week after classes end, the group departs for Latin America for an intensive Spanish language immersion instructional program. The 8-week program has been in Ecuador for the past several years, but could take place in another country in the future. During this time, participants live with host families, participate in daily language instruction, and also have the opportunity to go on various travel excursions. At the end of September, everyone travels to Santiago, Chile. Participants then begin working at their schools for the last couple of months of the school assisting in the classroom, campus ministry activities, and special projects. At the beginning of January, participants go on mission trips with their schools for 1-2 weeks. After these, everyone is free to travel until the last week in February. At that time, ChACErs begin teaching fulltime for a full school year which ends in the middle of December.

Q: Can I get student loans deferred?

A: Yes. As part of the program, you are enrolled in the ACE English as a New Language Program (ENL) which allows you to defer your loans as a full time student at the University of Notre Dame for the duration of the program.

Q: Where will I be teaching?

A: ChACErs teach either at St. George´s College in Santiago or at the Colegios Diaconales (San Felipe, San Nicolas and San Esteban.

Q: What will I be teaching?

A: ChACErs teach English to classrooms of approximately 20-30 students depending on the age level. Although this varies based on the needs of the school, cohorts usually teach students at one or more age levels varying from 1st grade through 12th grade.

Q: What will my other responsibilities at the school besides teaching?

A: This depends on the individual needs of the schools, but ChACErs are expected to be involved with the school communities through activities like campus ministry, athletics, and service projects. ChACErs will sign a full-time employment contract with their schools.

Q: Where will I be living?

A: During the intensive Spanish language immersion pre-program, the ChACE cohort lives with host families. For the first three months in Santiago, (approximately October through Christmas), ChACE members live with host families from their respective schools. After this, they move into apartments located in Las Condes in Santiago.

Q: Do I need to pay taxes?

A: While in Chile, there are Chilean taxes that are automatically taken out of your pay check. Also, the US government requires you to pay taxes on any foreign income you make while abroad. This means you will need to report any income you make in Chile and pay taxes on it in the US.

Q: Do I need to pay for my flight?

A: Your flights to the location for the pre-program language immersion and to Santiago as well as your return flight at the end of the program are included in your participation. Any additional flights are not covered by the program.

Q: What are my expenses?

A: During your time in the pre-program language immersion, meals are provided by your host family. Additional costs for travel, food, etc. are the responsibility of individual participants. You also will receive a stipend to help cover the cost of your time in the pre-program, for things such as health insurance and other incidental costs. In Santiago, your rent is covered by your host family and then by your school. Accordingly, transportation, food, and utilities from the apartment are the primary expenses of ChACE members. ChACErs do receive a salary (approx. $1,400 a month) from their schools to pay for these and other expenses.

Q: Do I need to get a Visa?

A: Yes. This is an important process that takes place after applicants have been accepted. The visa cost itself is covered by the program. Additional costs from vaccinations, doctor’s appointments, etc. are the responsibility of individual participants. Once accepted, the program director will explain how this process works in more detail.

Q: Is Chile safe?

A: Chile is one of the safest countries in all of Latin America. Santiago is a very modern city with all of the amenities that you would find in a large US city. However, when travelling/living abroad, you should be aware of major events in the country and US Government announcements pertaining to that region. Remember to travel smart, as you will most likely stand out to the locals.

Q: Will I have time to travel?

A: Absolutely! There is time to travel during the weekends in the pre-program language immersion program as well as in Chile. Participants also have approximately 6 weeks of free time during the Chilean summer. Additionally, there is a one-two week winter vacation during July. Sometimes there is also another week of vacation in September.

Q: Do I need to speak Spanish?

A: Speaking Spanish is not a program requirement. However, it is helpful. All participants will have to take at least two months of intensive Spanish classes in the pre-program at a language school.

Q: Will I have health insurance?

A: You will have health insurance through your schools while in Chile. ChACErs are responsible for acquiring international coverage from August through October of their first year before their school health insurance begins. There are a number of different policies available online and Packy Lyden can assist anyone in need of guidance in this area.

Q: What kind of support will I have there?

A: There is a full-time person in Santiago, Esteban Montes, who coordinates all the Notre Dame programs and activities in Chile. In addition to his help, there are people at all of the participating schools available for professional or personal assistance. Additionally, Packy Lyden administers the program from Notre Dame and is available to assist ChACErs at any time.

Q: Do I take classes while I am teaching?

A: Yes. All ChACErs are enrolled in the ACE English as a New Language (ENL) program. There are six required courses in this program. The first two take place during the first summer. The remaining four are spread throughout the remaining time in South America: one course in the fall of the first year, two courses in the spring semester, and one in the fall semester of the second year.

Q: Will I be able to return to the US for special events?

A: Yes. However these need to be arranged well in advance through the schools if you need to take leave from school. You are free to travel as you like during the breaks in January/February and July.

Download the application in Word (.doc)
Download the application in PDF.

For any additional questions, please contact one of the following:
Rita Lyden (Program Coordinator) Rita.B.Lyden.7@nd.edu
Megan Adzima (ChACE 9 participant) megan.adzima@gmail.com
Garrett Mandeville (ChACE 10 participant) gmandevi@nd.edu
Francisco Castillo-Fierro (ChACE 10 participant) francisco.castillo.fierro@gmail.com