Job Discussion Forums

[Santiago]

Hello,
I have a masters degree in TESL/Literacy and a bachelors degree in Anthropology with a concentration on Mesoamerica. I am interested in teaching English in Mexico as a way to learn Spanish and Mexican history and culture, besides simply loving to teach. I would prefer to live in Mexico City, Cuernavaca, Oaxaca City or San Cristobal de las Casas but I am keeping my options open. I am trying to arrange a job before I get to Mexico but am not having much luck finding schools and institutions through the internet or through books. Where is the best place to find job listings for available jobs or schools in Mexico? Are websites that charge a fee to find out this info worth it? Also, is arranging the job before hand the best bet or should I travel to Mexico to find a job?
Thanks for your help

[_anethon]

Just go... that way you can check out all those cities, and decide where you want to live... I'm sure you'll have your choice.

I went to Cuernavaca. I had a BA in art, and that's it. The first two schools I walked into (on the 3rd day I was in Mexico) offered me a job. I stayed in the second one.

Do you have a little savings so you can travel a bit before you take a job? I would do that first...

[Ben Round de Bloc]

If you could line up a university teaching job before coming to Mexico, I think that might be good. However, that's very difficult to do. With your credentials, you might feel more comfortable working at a university rather than a language school. If so, you may have to start out at a language school first and then move to a university setting later. There are many more job opportunities at language schools than at universities. However, of course, it would be your personal preference as to which you'd prefer.

Personally, I'd want to see a place in person before I agreed to teach there. I'd want to meet the director, see the facilities, talk with others teaching there, and get a feel for the place before making a decision.

The best places to find jobs are locally, not from a distance. Unless a school has a bad rep locally, it most likely can find suitable teachers without having to advertise internationally. Most schools can't afford to advertise other than locally anyway, and lots of jobs are found by word of mouth. The exception might be a school or university looking for someone with specific qualifications.

I agree with _anethon. If you have some money in savings that you can use, take some time to travel around, check out various cities that appeal to you, and see what's available for EFL teaching jobs in those locations. If possible, try to line up some contacts ahead of time in those locations, maybe through postings on forums like this one.

Best wishes!

[some waygug-in]

I agree with what Ben says. But if you really want to arrange a position before you go, it is possible.

Jobs in Mexico are usually not advertised, especially not on Dave's ESL. Nothing against Dave's, but you may have better luck checking out other sites. Do a search using altavista, "EFL ESL jobs" . You should come up with a lot of alternative sites.

Here are a few: www.eslworldwide.com

www.tefl.com

www.eflfocus.com

http://www.eslemployment.com/

http://www.tesol.net/teslrecruit.html

The last time I did this, the moderator deleted my post. I hope this helps someone. Remember, there are still few jobs advertised on the net, and be careful of schools who advertise a lot, it means they have teachers leaving left and right.

Cheers