Job Discussion Forums

[AdamBrownUK]

Hello, I've been reading around these forums and you guys really seem to know a lot about the work situation in Mex.

I currently live in UK but want to move to DF for a couple years and teach english. I already speak quite good conversational spanish and really enjoy it so wish to increase my ability. I have a 2.1 degree(BA Hons Fine art) and some teaching experience(As a visiting lecturer and as TEFL to french school children).

My question is, How hard would it be for me to find a job? Given my relevant experience? Of course I'm a native speaker but would it be worth taking a short TEFL/CELTA course? I notice a lot of you saying that its more important 'who you know' and that hours on TEFL/CELTA haven't been implicit in obtaining work. Also, DELE's? Worth it?
What were your respective work experiences when you started to search for work in Mex?

Also when is the most fruitful hiring/application period in DF?

I think I have a grasp of living costs etc however initially this wouldn't be a huge expense because I have friends in Naucalpan that I can stay with. I spent 5 weeks there last Oct and became totally smitten with the city and country .

Also I would be happy to work outside of education, what are these options like in the city?

Thanks very much, I know thats a lot of questions but any answered will be really really appreciated

[AdamBrownUK]

A little more on my experience...


Leeds College of Art, November 2011- February 2012
Leeds
Part Time Visiting Lecturer on the BA Fine Art programme
� Instructing 1st year students in hand production techniques
� Teaching woodwork, clay, plaster, metalwork
� Leading critical in-depth discussions of working methods and critical analysis of artworks
� Providing lesson support for members of department
� Teaching construction and drawing techniques

Spring House Group, June - August 2011
Harrogate
Teacher of English as a Second Language
� Directing classes of up to 12 children between the ages of 11-16
� Lesson preparation and creating and planning lessons (examples available)
� Making assessments of abilities, and writing reports of these.
� Leading group activities within classes.
� Supervising and maintaining a quiet working environment

[MotherF]

In my opinion, a TEFL cert, be it CELTA or other, would be useful because immigration may ask to see some sort of paper stating you are qualified to do the job. Who you know will get you a better job, but you still need to be qualified to do that job.

My experience is not in Mexico City, so I will leave the rest of your questions to the others .

[Guy Courchesne]

You don't have a great deal of experience, but emphasizing the ESL work with kids will open up work a private colegios here in DF...middle tier schools I'd say, provided you want to work with kids of course.

Hiring for those jobs has just started, for the upcoming school year which begins mid to late August. There are usually still positions to fill right up to the beginning of September though.

If you plan to work with adults through language schools or in business English, hiring is done pretty much year round.

Naucalpan makes for a longish commute into the city, though are a number of decent schools out that way to look into.

[AdamBrownUK]

Yea I know, one day it took me more than two hours to return from Xola via cami�nes! I guess I'd stay until I could move out.

Thanks again for the advice

At the moment I am happy to work with whichever age group, just as long as I can make enough to get by. Of course I'd prefer to teach fine art in universities but a few years down the line I think. And business english would be amazing but its never FT so I hear?

On this subject I noticed people saying that its badly paid in comparison to other jobs, what jobs are these? I mean what(if there are) other career options for foreign nationals living in DF?

How many years did it take you guys to move up the career ladder in Mexico? And are most teaching jobs Sept - June? I starting to think of staying longer.

Once again really appreciate all the advice X

[AdamBrownUK]

Yea I know, one day it took me more than two hours to return from Xola via cami�nes! I guess I'd stay until I could move out.

Thanks again for the advice

At the moment I am happy to work with whichever age group, just as long as I can make enough to get by. Of course I'd prefer to teach fine art in universities but a few years down the line I think. And business english would be amazing but its never FT so I hear?

On this subject I noticed people saying that its badly paid in comparison to other jobs, what jobs are these? I mean what(if there are) other career options for foreign nationals living in DF?

How many years did it take you guys to move up the career ladder in Mexico? And are most teaching jobs Sept - June? I starting to think of staying longer.

Once again really appreciate all the advice X

[AdamBrownUK]

Anyone? Tips for newbie teachers trying to get into employment or anything?
X

[Guy Courchesne]

Other career options for foreigners in DF...outside of education? I've met foreigners working in sales, management, embassies, finance, energy...but the majority of those were sent down through parent companies in Canada and the US. Others have opened their own language institutes, another I know opened a bar, and one other freelances as a financial consultant.

As for earnings:

Language school chains - low pay compared to other teaching jobs and other jobs as a whole

Business English classes - highly variable and very rarely full time as you mention. Decent pay here in DF.

Public school teachers - generally inaccessible to foreigners, low pay compared to private schools and to other jobs as a whole

Private schools - lots of variety here and dependent on a teacher's qualifications. Low to mid to high level pay. More experience/qualifications, better jobs of course as in international schools.

The school year runs from mid-August to late June roughly.