COUNTRY NOTES FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE
ASSISTANTS
2014-2015
ARGENTINA
http://www.turismo.gov.ar/
Updated: January 2015
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in these notes. However,
the British Council cannot accept responsibility for any errors which may exist or for any subsequent changes.
1
Introduction
Congratulations on your recent allocation to a post as an English Language Assistant in Argentina.
This is a brief guide to your assistantship, with information taken from questionnaires provided by former
language assistants, the Argentine National Ministry of Education and a variety of guidebooks. It contains
some tips and information about Argentina as a country and also what you can expect from your host
institution(s) and the British Council during your time abroad.
Please read this in conjunction with any other information received from the British Council in the UK or
authorities in Argentina. It is important that you take this information with you to Argentina in order to be able to
consult it at all times when problems/questions arise.
At the outset, it should be stressed that these notes are only meant to provide a very general guideline to your
assistantship in Argentina. People’s experiences inevitably vary considerably and these notes are there to
provide you with some provisional information and tips. In addition to this information, we recommend that you
read as much as possible about Argentina and Latin America before you go, as this will ensure that your
experience is richer and that you are thoroughly prepared for your time abroad.
We recommend that you give a copy of this information on to your parents, guardians or carers, but please
remember that under the Data Protection Act we cannot discuss an individual’s personal situation and
circumstances with a third party such as a parent/guardian/carer: information on a situation must be conveyed
to us first hand by the assistant concerned.
If your permanent (UK) home address, personal e-mail or phone number should change at any time from now
on, please inform us immediately by sending an e-mail to languageassistants.uk@britishcouncil.org. We may
need to contact you during the year with updates to these notes, invitations or urgent messages.
We hope that you find the following information useful and that you enjoy the year ahead.
Best wishes
Language Assistants Team, British Council
2
Ministry of Education – Background
The Language Assistants Programme in Argentina is promoted by the British Council in Buenos Aires and by
the National Ministry of Education in Argentina. The British Council in London liaises with the British Council in
Buenos Aires which deals directly with the National Ministry. Although the Ministry is a national body, each of
the 24 educational jurisdictions (23 provinces plus the Capital City of Buenos Aires) have their own regional
ministries where local authorities make decisions regarding local education policies, in compliance with
national regulations and laws. The National Ministry of Education decides which jurisdictions (provinces) can
host an assistant and sends your dossiers to the local education ministry. After this, the National Ministry is not
involved in deciding which host institutions and towns/cities the assistants are placed – those decisions are
taken by the local education authorities themselves. In order to find out as much information as possible
regarding your post and area you should make sure that you contact your local education coordinator
(referente provincial) as soon as you receive their email address from the Ministry of Education.
Managing expectations
We live in a multicultural context and Argentina is no exception. However, the cultures in Argentina may be
different from those present in the UK. What language assistants from the UK may find striking is the
atmosphere of what they consider to be informality. We recommend that you prepare yourself for certain
frustrations at a bureaucratic level. It should be pointed out that again, due to cultural reasons, what may be
informal to some can be interpreted as flexible by others. Argentines are known for making newcomers feel
welcome. It will help if you read up as much as possible before you go, especially about the place where you
are going to stay. It is advisable to come with questions as well. People in Argentina will be willing to tell you
about their culture and traditions and you will find that culture and traditions differ from province to province, yet,
what they have in common is the passion for football.
Education in Argentina
According to the National Education Law, passed in 2006, education is free and compulsory from the ages of 5
to 17. Compulsory education is divided into three levels: kindergarten, primary and secondary. Between 20002011, 99% of children attended primary schools, 84% attended secondary schools and in 2006, 250,000
people attended teacher training institutions.
The structure of the educational system varies in each province. The image below gives an example of a
typical structure.
3
Contact details
The British Council in London should be your first point of contact whilst you are still in the UK. As mentioned
above, the British Council in Buenos Aires deals with the National Ministry of Education in Argentina, which
liaises with provincial (local) ministries responsible for appointing the “referente provincial”. From this time
onwards and whilst you are in Argentina, you should always contact institutions locally if you have any
problems or questions. The referente provincial is responsible for initial contact with you and for providing
information about the province and the host institution as well as some advice on accommodation. Then he/she
will introduce you to your mentor teacher (referente pedagógico), who works at the Teacher Training Institute
TTI (Instituto de Formación Docente – IFD) or school you are placed at. Issues regarding your TTI or school
are best discussed with your mentor teacher directly.
If you feel you cannot talk to your mentor teacher or another member of staff in the province, please contact
the National Ministry of Education or the British Council in Buenos Aires. If you have questions regarding your
salary or health insurance, please contact the National Ministry of Education. In the case of an emergency or
for advice on traveling around Argentina, please contact the British Embassy in Buenos Aires or the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office.
The British Council in the UK will be happy to offer advice, but should only be contacted when all other
attempts to solve the issue have been made. Problems are dealt with most quickly and effectively locally and
British Council will instruct you to take the steps mentioned above. Please see the provided ‘Line of Referral
document for guidance on who to contact.
British Council UK
Tom Dearing
Product Delivery Manager, Language Assistants – Education and Society
British Council | 58 Whitworth Street | Manchester | M1 6BB
T +44 (0)161 957 7518
Thomas.Dearing@britishcouncil.org
Elizabeth Lynch
Product Delivery Officer, Language Assistants - Education and Society
British Council | 10 Spring Gardens | London | SW1A 2BN
T: +44 (0)20 7389 4006
Elizabeth.Lynch@britishcouncil.org
Official Advice for British Citizens Abroad
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 0044 (0)20 7008 1500
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office
E: TravelAdvicePublicEnquiries@fco.gov.uk
Or go directly to https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/argentina
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British Council Argentina
British Council | Marcelo T. de Alvear 590 - 4º | C1058AAF | Buenos Aires | Argentina
www.britishcouncil.org.ar
Florencia Roverano
Education Manager
 +54 (0)1141148632
Florencia.Roverano@britishcouncil.org.ar
Mary Godward
Country Manager  +54 (0)11 4114
8634
Mary.Godward@britishcouncil.org.ar
UK Embassy in Argentina
2412 | (C1425EOF) Buenos Aires, Argentina
ukinargentina.fco.gov.uk/
Dr. Luis Agote
 0054 (0)11 4808 2200
 0054 (0)11 4808 2274
askinformation.baires@fco.gov.uk
(Monday-Thursday 8.45am-5.30pm and Friday 8.45am-2pm)
The National Ministry of Education
International Postgraduate
Scholarship’s Programme of the NDIC
(Responsible for the Language Assistants
Programme)
Prof. Alejandra Queralt
Pizzurno 935, 2° piso, Of. 231
 +54 (011) 4129-1187/1287/1288
E: aqueralt@me.gov.ar
http://portales.educacion.gov.ar/dnci/becas/
National Directorate for
International Cooperation of the
Ministry
Pizzurno 935
(C1020ACA)
Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
República Argentina
National Ministry of Education
http://portales.educacion.gov.ar/dnci/
www.me.gov.ar
Pizzurno 935
(C1020ACA)
Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
República Argentina
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Information and Documents
Passport and visas
Assistants will be granted courtesy visas (visa de cortesía) with a maximum duration of six months, in
accordance with the duration of assistants’ placements. Assistants will be required to provide a completed
application form for their courtesy visa, a passport-size photo and their passport. The British Council will take
all passports for visas to be issued by the Argentine Embassy; assistants will not be required to attend in
person at the Embassy.
Before leaving the UK Language Assistants must be in possession of a passport, valid for the duration of their
stay in Argentina.
It should be noted that courtesy visas will have a maximum duration of six months. If a Language Assistant
wishes to extend their courtesy visa beyond the expiration date he/she will need to attend the National
Migration office for advice.
Insurance
The British Council will not be responsible for you while you are in Argentina, although we will offer support
when necessary. You are therefore required to take out comprehensive insurance to cover you during your
time in Argentina. It is important to cover medical and other expenses, personal accident and personal liability,
luggage and personal possessions and cancellation charges. We recommended you research the various
options available and consult other/ former assistants before purchasing a suitable policy. However, any
insurance you purchase should include cover for emergency treatment and repatriation. Please note that no
insurance company will cover you in the event of a natural disaster or the outbreak of war.
You will have been asked to sign a declaration for the British Council in London to certify that you will be taking
out insurance. It is advisable to leave copies of insurance documents with a contact in the UK. If you do fall ill
make sure you keep copies of all medical bills, receipts or other documents. You will then need these to make
a claim.
The National Ministry of Education will also give you access to a private medical insurance scheme (medicina
prepaga) called Accord Salud, which will cover free treatment and emergencies in Argentina and will only be
valid during the time of your appointment. During the induction course you will be asked to fill in a registration
form with your basic medical history and will then receive a membership card. The medical, pharmacy and
hospital/clinic directory (cartilla) is available from the website www.accordsalud.com.ar. Once you know your
post, we recommend that you identify the address of the nearest Accord Salud’s local office and medical center
which you will use either for a scheduled medical examination or in case of an emergency. Take your
membership card and your passport with you. It is recommended that you let your referentes know your
membership number. For any need regarding health insurance, contact your referentes and the National
Ministry of Education immediately. Please bear in mind that you will be charged for any medical treatment or
private doctor consultation outside what is covered by Accord Salud. Therefore, it is essential that you take out
medical insurance in the UK which includes cover for repatriation to the UK.
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Foreign Commonwealth Office Information
Before travelling to Argentina you should ensure that you check the FCO’s travel advice pages:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and ensure that you have subscribed to updates so that you receive
any important changes to the FCO’s advice. During a crisis, advice for British nationals will be published on
the travel advice website and updated regularly, so by subscribing you will ensure that you are aware of any
updates.
You can register for emails using this link: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKGOVUK/subscriber/new
We also recommend that assistants read the ‘Advice for Travellers’ documentation provided by the FCO, which
can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/supporting-british-nationals-overseas/supportingpages/advice-for-travellers
The FCO also recommend following their social media pages: https://twitter.com/fcotravel and https://engb.facebook.com/foreignoffice for regular updates and answers to queries.
A useful guide on living abroad can also be found online here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/193667/Going_to_Live_Abroad_
web_13.pdf
Documents to take
We recommend that you scan important documents before leaving the UK and email these to yourself so that
you have access to them while you are away. Documents you may need access to include; birth certificate
(although you should not need the original) and scanned copies of the photo page of your passport, visa
and driving license (take this with you). You should carry a photocopy of the photo page of your passport
rather than the original and always have this on you as a means of ID.
Your Assistantship
Role of the Assistant
The role of a language assistant is a very important one and one that we hope you will enjoy. Please
remember that you are a paid member of staff with the responsibilities and required professionalism that this
entails.
Please
refer
to
our
website
for
more
information
on
your
role:
www.britishcouncil.org/languageassistants-your-role.htm
As a language assistant you are also an ambassador for the UK and its culture. The way you behave will
influence how those around you view the UK and you should endeavour to be a positive example. If you set a
bad example, you could damage the reputation of the programme and adversely affect the experience of future
assistants.
Your first-hand experience of life in the UK is an excellent resource and you should draw on this during your
lessons. We provide a lot of advice to help you incorporate cultural content into your lessons. It is important to
be resourceful and use your initiative. If you do not think that you are being used sufficiently, make suggestions
of topics that you could discuss with the students, activities you could do.
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It is also very important to make sure that you are familiar with the education system in Argentina as this will
help you know what to expect when you start teaching at your school(s).
Period of appointment and induction course
Appointments are for six months, from mid-March to mid-September 2015. You should plan to arrive in Buenos
Aires in time to attend a 2-day induction workshop at the National Ministry of Education (on 19 & 20 March)
before your post starts. You should leave the country by mid-September 2015, 6 months after you arrived.
Please remember you will have signed an ‘acceptance document’ to confirm you will stay for 6 months.
Once you start, you might be requested to offer support to smaller classes for language fluency improvement.
Usually, this time of the year coincides with the exam period and beginning of term activities at the
Profesorados (Teacher Training Institutes).
The number of hours worked will be 18 per week, distributed as follows: 12 hours with students and 6 hours to
prepare materials and lessons. Your allowance payment is fixed and additional payment will not be made for
extra hours undertaken. The size of the class can vary from 5 – 30+ students depending on the institution.
Please remember that each assistant’s experience will vary from institution to institution
The date of your first teaching day depends on your host institution but it is expected that you will pay for travel
to your final destination as soon as the induction workshop finishes. Before your arrival, your referente
provincial will try to give you some advice on accommodation for the first few days and/or somewhere
permanent via e-mail. Please note that hosting you in his/her house is not compulsory in any case. Hostels are
good options for the first few days (www.hihostel.com and www.hostelworld.com).
There will be no pick-up from Ministro Pistarini International Airport (known locally as Ezeiza Airport, due to its
location in the Ezeiza Department, located in the province of Buenos Aires). The British Council Argentina
suggests that you take a Manuel Tienda León bus service from the airport to the city centre (instead of ordinary
public transport, which can be quite unreliable and troublesome with large luggage). Please consult
www.tiendaleon.com.ar for information in English on schedules and tickets which can be purchased online.
Nevertheless, you may also wish to find out about other transfer options in English, including other safe taxis
and remises, which may be cheaper than Tienda León, by checking the Airport’s website
http://www.aa2000.com.ar/taxisyremises.aspx.
Allowance
The allowance for 2015 is expected to be ARS 4,600 gross per month. For those allocated in the Patagonian
Region it is expected to be ARS 6,900 because the cost of living is higher. Patagonia includes the provinces of
La Pampa, Río Negro, Neuquén, Chubut, Santa Cruz y Tierra del Fuego, according to the Federal Cabinet of
Education of Argentina. This amount is intended to provide a reasonable basic standard of living for one
person and exceeds the level of pay for most local teachers. You are strongly advised to be sensitive to this
when dealing with other teachers.
The National Ministry of Education does not pay assistants directly. The Ministry has an agreement with the
OEI (Organization of Iberoamerican States) who pay Language Assistants in Argentina once approval is given
by the Ministry. You will be asked to obtain a number called a CDI (Código de Identificación) from an office
8
called the AFIP (Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos) in order to provide you with a bank account and
a debit card. You need to apply for a CDI within the first three weeks of arriving. The first month’s allowance will
be sent by postal order (giro postal). Assistants do not have to pay income tax in Argentina.
Absence from school
Please remember that you are a member of staff and must therefore adhere to the holiday dates set by the
school. If you cannot work because of illness you should inform your school(s) and local education authority (if
applicable) immediately by telephone. You may be asked to provide a letter from a doctor. This should cover
the entire duration of the absence and must be sent to the school and, if applicable, local authority as soon as
it is issued. Any prolonged absence on account of illness should be reported as soon as possible to the
Ministry of Education in Argentina and to the British Council in the UK.
Requests for leave of absence for any other reason should be made in advance to the head of the school(s),
who is within his/her right to refuse it. You are reminded that if you are absent from school without prior
authorisation your allowance will be discontinued from the first day of your absence.
In the unlikely and unfortunate event that it becomes necessary to resign from your post, you must give
sufficient prior notice in writing of your intended departure to the school, the Ministry of Education and the
British Council, setting out your reasons in full. If you are an undergraduate you must also inform your
university/college in the UK.
Teaching Tips and Resources
Observation period
When you first arrive at your school(s) you should ask for a period of observation of 1-2 weeks. It may not be
offered to you automatically. Observation will allow you to familiarise yourself with the school environment, to
experience classroom management techniques as well as to get to know the names, faces and personalities of
your pupils and gauge their level of English.
Try to note the following:





how the teacher starts and ends the lesson
how the teacher speaks to pupils
how the teacher involves all pupils, including shy ones, in the class activity
what the teacher’s attitude is to pupil errors and error correction
how the teacher controls disruptive behaviour, lateness and lack of effort
British Council teaching resources
The British Council produces and co-produces a range of resources specifically for Language Assistants.
Making use of these will help you greatly to deliver interesting and useful classroom activities and will support
you in solving problems in the classroom.
9
The British Council is also closely involved with the teaching of English abroad. Local branches develop useful
resources and organise a range of cultural activities, which may be of interest to you and your school. For
information on forthcoming events, go to http://www.britishcouncil.org.ar/
Please note that many foreign schools are anxious to establish links with UK counterparts in order to share
information and arrange pupil exchanges. Assistants are encouraged to help in whatever way possible in
establishing such links and there is information and guidance on the British Council website:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-ie-school-partnerships . You may also wish to find out if your school has
any eTwinning projects or set up a project yourself: www.britishcouncil.org/etwinning.htm
Language Assistants manual
‘Language Assistant’ by Clare Lavery is a resource book designed for language assistants and provides
information
on
all
aspects
of
the
role.
This
can
be
downloaded
here:
www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/whole_manual.pdf.
Please read this carefully as it is
extremely useful in preparing you for your assistantship.
TeachingEnglish website
TeachingEnglish.org is an online resource centre produced jointly by the British Council and the BBC which
has a specialised Language Assistants micro-site: http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/language-assistant
On the site you will have access to:




Teaching tips
Essential UK: Seasonal lesson plans based around UK topics
Primary tips: Help getting started with primary-level students
Classroom games
In Argentina, your mentor teachers should provide you with a work plan and assist you with teaching matters.
LearnEnglish website
The British Council Learn English website is an excellent free online resource for students of English with lots
of games, stories, listening activities and grammar exercises: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/
This may be a useful tool for you to use for your teaching but also to pass on to your students for them to
access from home.
Teaching materials
One way of making language learning real for your pupils is bringing authentic materials from the UK into the
classroom. Take the opportunity to collect a variety of resources while you are still at home. Past assistants
have found that the following materials worked well: Photos of family and friends and your home town, lots of
postcards, examples of UK coins and notes, train tickets and timetables, stamps, posters and tea towels to
decorate walls, posters and games, UK TV programmes and listings, magazines and local newspapers, CDs,
photos of school uniforms, a school timetable and school report, flashcards, word searches, maps, tourist
brochures, UK food (marmite, jelly, chocolate, custard, mince pies, gravy granules, etc), adverts, menus,
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cartoons, comic books, DVDs (e.g. Ready Steady Cook for catering students), simple recipes e.g. scones,
recordings of the weather forecast, London tube map, recordings of friends’ accents and conversations, bingo,
Taboo etc. The more materials you can find the better. Think about what worked well for you as a language
student and about which items you find interesting when you are in a foreign country. You can also ask your
host school(s) whether there is something specific they would like you to bring and to find out about topics you
are likely to be asked to cover during your assistantship.
Useful teaching websites:
www.englishclub.com
www.bogglesworldesl.com
www.cambridgeesol.org/teach
www.developingteachers.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/teachers
www.tes.co.uk
www.letssingit.com
http://projectbritain.com
www.lyrics.com
http://www.slideshare.net/
www.enchantedlearning.com
www.prezi.com
www.cartoonstock.com
www.busyteacher.org
www.puzzlemaker.com
http://www.eslprintables.com/
www.skyline-english.com
http://www.vanda51.blogspot.com/
www.eslcafe.com
www.bbc.co.uk
www.eslpartyland.com
www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc
www.eslgold.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk
www.esl-lab.com
www.royal.gov.uk
www.eslflow.com
www.onestopenglish.com
www.eslflashcards.com
www.visitbritain.com
http://funschool.kaboose.com/
www.visitscotland.com
www.learnenglish.org.uk/kids
www.discovernorthernireland.com
The British Council produces and co-produces a range of resources specifically for Language Assistants.
Making use of these will help you greatly to deliver interesting and useful classroom activities and support you
in solving problems in the classroom.
11
Currency and banks
Based on the information we received from your predecessors in previous years it is advisable to leave the UK
with a minimum of £1000 plus access to funds in a UK bank account to cover expenses for the first few weeks.
Your first salary payment will arrive by post when you have been in Argentina after approximately four weeks,
i.e., after your first month of work, by the end of April. ATMs or cajeros automáticos can be found in most cities
and towns and they are the best way to get money. Nearly all of them have instructions in English and should
accept Cirrus, Plus or Link system. You should also be able to pay by Visa or MasterCard in most areas. When
using a credit card please keep in mind that some businesses add a surcharge or recargo of 5% to 10%
towards your purchases. The actual amount you will have to pay is also dependent on the exchange rate. We
recommend checking with your mentor teacher or your referente provincial to find out the best way for you to
access your money during the first few weeks.
Accommodation
Your school(s) are not obliged to provide or find you accommodation, but they may be able to offer you
somewhere temporary to stay for the first few days or weeks, thus giving you some time to look for permanent
accommodation. You should however not assume that your school will do this and should discuss your arrival
and initial accommodation arrangements with them in advance. Please note that if your school does offer you
accommodation you are not obliged to accept it but remember, if you do accept it, you will have to abide by the
school’s rules.
The first thing to do when looking for permanent accommodation is to ask your mentor teacher if they can
recommend anything. For example, they may know a local family with a room to rent, or already have
somewhere in mind for you to stay. If your school cannot help, your best contacts are your predecessors at the
school or in the area.
Consider going to your teaching location to arrange accommodation in advance of the induction course or of
starting your job. Past assistants have emphasised the need to look for accommodation as early as possible.
The first weeks of your assistantship will be busy as you will be finding your way around an unfamiliar town,
dealing with bureaucracy and trying to make a good impression at school. Having accommodation lined up can
make this easier. For temporary lodgings while you look for something permanent, investigate the possibility of
staying in a youth hostel. Do not take out a contract on your accommodation until you know the location of
your schools.
Please note that the British Council is not in a position to provide or to help find accommodation.
Once you get to Argentina the following suggestions may be of interest:




advertise on the school/staff notice board and ask around the staff; do NOT advertise in local papers or
public places
buy the local newspapers early in the morning and telephone likely numbers immediately
ring the local university halls of residence or check their flat share adverts and notices, or advertise on
their notice board that you are looking for a room
ask local friends'/acquaintances' landlords if they have any further accommodation to let
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



write to or visit any student or youth organisation in the area that might have details of available
lodgings: the local tourist office may have a list of such organisations
find out about local religious organisations as they often know of rooms to let
accommodation agencies may be able to help but you should be very wary of paying large fees and
deposits, and always read the small print in any leases or agreements to be signed. Look for small
agencies as their fees are often lower
search for a room or flat on the internet
Some websites you may find useful are:
Temporary accommodation:
www.hostelbookers.com
www.hostelworld.com
Permanent accommodation:
http://soloduenos.com.ar/
We recommend that you take photos of your room and the flat when you move into your long-term
accommodation and when you leave to help you get back any deposit you may have to pay, which is usually
dependent on the accommodation being in the same condition as when you first arrived. When you leave your
accommodation, remember to cancel any personal contracts e.g. internet or utilities. When you do find
accommodation, please ensure that you have checked health and safety issues (temporary and long term)
such as fire alarms and exits, gas leaks, electrics, water etc.
When looking for accommodation please follow the advice given in our personal safety leaflet. When
you have found somewhere to live, even if it has been arranged for you, do not sign any agreement
you are not comfortable with and make sure that there is a period of notice written in the contract to
avoid problems should you decide to change your accommodation during the year.
Health
The British Council is unable to pay for your vaccines but we recommend strongly that you consult your GP
and get information on the vaccinations needed for Argentina before you travel. Fit for travel, NHS website will
be a useful starting point. http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/south-america--antarctica/argentina.aspx
Make sure that if you need medication you bring a large enough supply. Label it clearly before boarding a
plane. If you have to carry syringes or needles, please remember to get a letter from your GP explaining their
medical necessity. We also recommend checking your airline’s website to see whether any other
documentation is needed.
Country specific information and advice can be found on the National Travel Health Network and Centre
website: http://www.nathnac.org/ds/c_pages/country_page_ar.htm
Please keep in mind that Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a common danger when travelling long distance. It is
usually recommended to walk about the plane now and then and to perform leg exercises whilst sitting. You
should also keep hydrated and avoid alcohol during the flight. Please check with your GP to get further
information on DVT and its prevention. Information is also available on some airlines’ websites and on
www.dh.gov.uk.
13
You should avoid buying food from street vendors in Argentina as this can carry the greatest risks. It is best to
seek local advice on this, as well as on recommendations for drinking tap water.
We recommend that assistants take a First Aid Kit with them and research what to do in emergency scenarios.
You should do independent research for this. Here is a link to the St John’s Ambulance website which contains
information on First Aid: https://www.sja.org.uk/sja/default.aspx
Introducing Argentina
Argentina is the 8th largest country in the world and has approximately 40 million inhabitants. The great majority
of Argentinians live in cities – approximately 14 million in greater Buenos Aires alone. Although some
indigenous languages are still spoken, the main language is Spanish. Roman Catholicism is the official state
religion but other religions, such as Evangelical Protestantism and Judaism for example, can be found.
After the economic crisis in 2001 and the subsequent devaluation of the peso, Argentina can be cheaper for
foreigners from Europe and the USA. The social unrest, which followed the economic crisis, has now subsided.
Foreigners can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously and safely.
Culture shock
Even if you have travelled to non-European destinations before, you might feel slightly overwhelmed in the
beginning by your experience. Some areas in Latin America can be extremely poor and you might struggle to
accept this. Latin America is also known for its alleged chaos. A different climate and location as well as feeling
jet lagged after the long flight and struggling with speaking Spanish all day long might lead to temporary
disorientation, self-consciousness and exhaustion. This usually leads to feeling homesick but please be
assured that this is a very common and normal feeling which usually disappears after a few weeks or even
days.
There are some ways which might help you to overcome this initial culture shock. Try not to be too hard on
yourself; yes, you have come to Argentina to live and work there but that does not mean that you have to be
like one of the locals within a week. Give yourself time to get over the jet lag and to explore your area. Do not
stay in contact only with UK assistants during your assistantship as this might lead to you feeling alienated for
the whole time of your appointment. However, it is important that you contact them and your family and friends
back home in the beginning to tell them about your experiences. Other assistants can be a great support as
they are going through the same process. Once you have met local people and have tackled bureaucracy you
will realise that life in Argentina gets much easier and you will have an enjoyable time. Religion, family and
friends often play an important role in every day life so although you may at first feel like an outsider, once you
have proved your interest in local people and their culture, you will be welcomed into these tight-knit groups.
The way you behave and represent the UK will shape the view that the Argentinians in contact with you have of
the UK. There are a number of frustrations that Language Assistants to Latin America frequently feel; attitudes
towards timekeeping in Latin America can be somewhat lax, particularly in social settings (although you will be
expected to be punctual to your classes). Bureaucracy can also be very tiresome. Do not get angry as this
does not usually get results – especially when dealing with people in authority. Ultimately, remember that you
are an ambassador for the UK – do not criticise what you cannot change and above all, keep your sense of
humour!
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While Argentina has traditionally been a male dominated society, this does not seem to affect the business
world greatly as some women hold leading positions in local and multinational companies. Although Argentina
is relatively safe, and women’s safety is not a particular problem, caution should be exercised in quieter
places, in the street, in bars and generally at night, as in any city.
Politeness and respect are seen as important everywhere in Latin America. People generally shake hands
when they meet each other and start a conversation with a formal greeting. However, in Argentina it is more
informal. People generally kiss each other on the cheek. The word vos is commonly used, which is a more
informal way of saying you instead of Usted. Che is an informal expression used to call the attention of
someone. You can call somebody without saying his/her name: “Che, what time is it?”. If you are unsure
always use the more formal usted and remember to use señor/señora particularly with older people. Teachers
usually wear informal clothes at schools in Argentina but you should check with your mentor teacher what the
dress code is at your teaching centre. Remember that shorts, flip flops and bikinis are for the beach only.
Female ELAs should also look at: https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/supporting-british-nationalsoverseas/supporting-pages/advice-for-women-travellers
Practicalities
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The electrical current is 220 Volts and they have two different types of plugs (the European and the
Australian style) so make sure that you take adapters.
UK £1 is the equivalent to about ARS 13.17 (pesos). You can find bills of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100
pesos, and coins of 1 and 2 pesos, and 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents.
Argentinians use the metric system for weights and measures. Distances are measured in kilometres.
Argentina is 3 hours behind GMT but doesn’t observe daylight saving time which means that an hour
must be added during UK daylight saving time.
Government offices and businesses are closed during public holidays.
Important telephone numbers:
Country code
Fire
Police
Other emergencies
Medical emergency
Directory assistance
0054
100
101/911
103/911
107/911
110
* There is also a new multi-lingual free
phone number for tourist assistance:
0800 999 5000. This goes through to
the Tourist Police Station.
Travelling around Argentina
You must check the FCO’s advice on travelling (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/argentina). Please
always inform your mentor teacher, your referente provincial, the National Ministry of Education, the British
Council Argentina and London of your travel plans in advance. Air travel is more convenient due to the
country’s size but it is more expensive than covering the same distance by bus. There are four different airlines
in Argentina – further information can be found below. Most cities and towns have a central bus terminal. A lot
of Argentinians get around by bus and the bus network reaches most parts of the county. On overnight trips
15
you might want to spend some extra money and travel by sleeper class or coche cama if available. Coche
semi-cama is cheaper than coche cama. Bus fares vary depending on company and season so please make
sure to check thoroughly before buying tickets.
If you intend to rent a car in Argentina please keep in mind that you must have an International Driving Permit.
It might be worth checking locally which renting agencies are recommended. If you wish to rent a car you must
be at least 21 years old (25 with some companies). You must have a valid driver’s licence and a credit card.
Please also make sure that you are adequately insured. Please refer to the following FCO website driving
abroad section for advice and information: https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad
For all travel advice in Argentina please see: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-adviceby-country/south-america/argentina#localtravel. Here you will find a lot of very useful information including
road travel safety and advice. Ensure that you read this thoroughly and regularly check it.
Please remember that we only pass on information. It is up to you to carefully research and compare each
company before booking travel.
Local transport
Buenos Aires is the only city in Argentina with an underground system but taking the bus is a much better way
of getting to know the area to which you have been appointed. Buses are clearly numbered and also show their
final destination. You mostly pay as you board but sometimes bus passes can be purchased before boarding
from a guard. Please check this with your mentor teacher. Long distance passenger trains are not
recommended as they are unsafe and unreliable. On the whole, trains are preferable in the daytime.
ISIC cards
International Student Identity Cards cost £12 and are available online and from student travel agents such as
STA and BUNAC. They can be used to obtain cheap entry into certain museums, theatres, cinemas and art
galleries. They may also entitle you to certain travel concessions. Please see www.isiccard.com for further
information. Please note that in order to obtain an ISIC card you need to be a full time student.
For non-students who are under 26 there is the International Youth Travel Card (£12), which can be bought in
the same way – see http://www.statravel.co.uk/youth-identity-card.htm for further information.
Personal safety
The FCO sections found here https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad called “Know Before You Go Campaign”,
“Staying safe and healthy”, “When things go wrong” and “Living abroad” are particularly useful but we strongly
advise that you spend some time looking at all of the FCO website and check it regularly, as there is a lot of
useful and up-to-date information provided.
Please see our website for a Personal Safety leaflet which provides an emergency telephone number as well
as
essential
guidelines
on
how
to
avoid
potentially
dangerous
situations:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/britishcouncil.uk2/files/ela-personal-safety-leaflet.pdf .
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Although Argentina is generally seen as one of the safest countries in Latin America it is very important to stick
to the same health and safety rules as you would at home and always heed advice given by local people. Stay
alert and take precautions to avoid becoming a victim. It is equally important to stay informed about local and
countrywide events. Read local newspapers and check the internet, watch the news, listen to the radio and talk
to people. We strongly recommend that you do not get involved in demonstrations, even if friends try to
encourage you. These can be very dangerous and can reflect very badly on you and also on the British Council.
We strongly advise that you familiarise yourself with the FCO website: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-traveladvice/argentina
In the event of an emergency, contact the British Council in Buenos Aires or the British Embassy. (Contact
details can be found above). Getting help and information locally is usually more effective and quicker than
contacting the British Council in London.
Remember to subscribe for FCO email alerts here:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKGOVUK/subscriber/new
Smoking is prohibited on buses, planes and in restaurants, bars and cafes as well as shops and offices. It is
not uncommon to find people drinking alcohol in the street.
Drug-taking and drug related crime is a serious offence in Latin America. If convicted, you could be fined or
even receive a prison sentence. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office will not be able to get you out
of prison or detention and you will not receive special treatment because you are British. The FCO cannot
prevent the local authorities from deporting you upon release. Furthermore you will be dismissed with
immediate effect from the Language Assistants programme, without a university report and without a
reference.
Natural disasters/emergencies
The FCO recommends that you look at the following websites and subscribe to alerts and read advice about
what to do in the event of a natural disaster/emergency, as well as talking to locals for advice and doing your
own independent research:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/terrorism
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/tropicalcyclone/index.html
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/tropical-cyclones
What to take
Please remember that this is only a basic list and that you should by no means feel obliged to take any of the
articles listed below:
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First aid kit
Ear plugs: the Latin American culture is a very noisy one, even at night
Guidebook(s)
Plug adapter(s)
Map(s)
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Torch
Waterproofs for the rainy season
Sun lotion/block: make sure you use a high factor as the sun is closer to the equator and stronger
Mosquito repellent (High concentration might be useful if you’re planning on heading into the Amazon)
If you are on the pill you might not be able to find your prescription easily
Useful websites
Internet cafes can be found even in smaller towns. You will probably also be able to use the internet at your
school but please check this with your mentor teacher first and find out which procedure to follow. If you chose
to take a laptop, consider insuring it/checking your insurance covers it in case of theft or damage.
Official
www.britishcouncil.org
www.britishcouncil.org/language-assistants
www.britishcouncil.org/language-assistants/become/latin-america
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office
www.isic.org
www.argentine-embassy-uk.org/
http://portales.educacion.gov.ar/dnci/becas/
www.me.gov.ar
http://portales.educacion.gov.ar/dnci/
Argentina
www.argentina.gob.ar/
www.argentina.ar/
www.turismo.gov.ar
www.welcomeargentina.com
www.argentina.travel/
www.argentinaturistica.com
www.buenosairesherald.com
www.surdelsur.com
General Travel
www.lonelyplanet.com
www.roughguides.com
www.budgettravel.com
www.worldtravelguide.net
www.journeywoman.com
www.despegar.com
www.hihostels.com
www.hostelworld.com
British Council
British Council Language Assistants page
British Council Argentina
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
ISIC Student Card
Argentinian Embassy in London
International
Postgraduate
Scholarship’s
Programme (Prof. Alejandra Queralt)
Argentina’s National Ministry of Education
National
Directorate
for
International
Cooperation of the Ministry
Guide to Argentine State
News Public Portal
Argentina’s National Ministry of Tourism
Welcome Argentina
Argentina Travel
Guide to Argentina for Travellers
Argentine news in English
El sur del sur: summary of Argentina’s history
and more
(Also check out LP’s Thorn Tree forums)
Rough Guides Travel
Budget Travel advice and articles
Travel Guides
Travel resources for women
Latin American travel agency
Hostels
Hostels
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Travel in Argentina
www.tiendaleon.com.ar
www.aa2000.com.ar/
www.tebasa.com.ar/
Manuel Tienda León
Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 (Ezeiza and all)
Bus Terminal in the City of Buenos Aires
Airlines
www.aerolineas.com
www.lade.com.ar
www.andesonline.com
www.LAN.com
www.ebookers.com
www.cheaptickets.com
www.statravel.co.uk
www.britishairways.com
www.iberia.com/
www.tam.com.br
Aerolíneas Argentinas/Austral
Líneas Aéreas del Estado
Andes Líneas Aéreas
LAN Argentina
Online flight finder
Online flight finder
For flights to England
British Airways flights
Iberia flights
TAM airlines flights
Bus companies (only a few bigger lines are listed here – please get local advice on local companies)
www.andesmar.com
Andesmar
www.nuevachevallier.com
Chevallier
www.elrapidoint.com.ar
El Rápido International
www.viabariloche.com.ar
Via Bariloche
www.flechabus.com.ar/
Flecha
www.plusmar.com.ar/
Plusmar
www.condorestrella.com.ar/
Condor Estrella
Latin America
www.latinnews.com
www.planeta.com
www.pulsamerica.co.uk/
Latin American Newsletter
Global Journal of Practical Ecotourism
Current affairs website
Latin American Resource Centres
www.canninghouse.com
www.lab.org.uk
www.latin-american.cam.ac.uk
Canning House in London
Latin America Bureau in London
University of Cambridge: Centre of Latin American Studies
Health
www.who.int
World Health Organization
www.mdtravelhealth.com
MD Travel Health
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health
Department of Health
www.accordsalud.com.ar
Private Health Insurance Accord Salud
English Teaching
http://bogglesworldesl.com
http://www.isabelperez.com
www.onestopenglish.com
www.mes-english.com
www.puzzlemaker.com
http://hotpot.uvic.ca/
www.eslcafe.com/
English teaching resources
Teaching English site with materials, workshops and links
Teaching tips and activities for the students
Excellent resources for beginner English
Tool for making puzzles, word searches, crosswords
Teaching resources and games
Dave’s ESL café. Mixed resources
19
www.shiporsheep.com
www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk
www.primarygames.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/
www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/
English pronunciation pair work resource
Useful website of primary resources
Advice for primary school teachers
Articles to discuss with students
BBC Mundo website (world news available in Spanish and English)
20