|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
MotherF
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1450
Location: 17�48'N 97�46'W
|
 Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 10:46 pm Post subject: Re: More questions |
 |
|
| Brothersote wrote: |
However, the university I graduated from did not/does not have a certificate program. Also the biggest reason I have not been able to find an appropriate program is because my GPA does not make me eligible... I've come a long way since 2010, but unfortunately schools and universities here seem to value grades over personal experiences and growth. |
The more time that passes the less important that is, especially if you are going to take the GRE and can get a good score. Take the posted GPA with a grain of salt, there is more to admissions to gradschool than that, especially if you are not apply right out of college.
| Brothersote wrote: |
So that distance course from England, would it make you capable of teaching in the US? |
No, not at all. Might make you more eligible for alternative tracks to licensure in the states that have those (such as Texas). |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 3:01 am Post subject: Re: More questions |
|
|
| Enchilada Potosina wrote: |
| Brothersote wrote: |
| What is the norm concerning high school English teachers? Do the majority have steady jobs at one school or do they work hour by hour at various schools? |
There's the rub... some private schools pay well enough for you to make a living as a full time teacher. These jobs are hard to find. Mexico City and the other main cities are the best places to look for these kind of jobs as in the provinces pay is very low. If you're working by the hour expect the instability that comes with it. Places will generally give you 20 to 25 hours a week which is not enough to make ends meet especially as when working like this, you won't be paid during the long summer and winter vacation periods.
Also take into account that you will be working in an education system that is at least 30 years behind the so-called first world countries. The private system here amounts to nothing more than a nicely packaged version of the bartering system of yore while the public system is a deeply corrupt trade union that has little to do with education. |
A good and thus a sad summary of the education system in Mexico... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
canada_1986
Joined: 23 Nov 2011
Posts: 44
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 3:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
One thing that I want to add about ESL certificates earned abroad is that some private language institutes in Mexico don't care if you have a certification; some only accept teachers who have taken their proprietary teachers' course. One such institute is Centro de Idiomas Benjamin Franklin, located in the Del Valle area of Mexico City - they refused to even look at my CV because I haven't taken their teachers' course - a cost of about 1,900 pesos.
Some other institutes don't care if you have an EFL certificate or not, but they will train you free of charge. However the training is often not paid either, but I'd rather have that than a 1,900-peso course that doesn't even guarantee employment afterwards.
Regarding living comfortably in Mexico City: I have been somewhat lucky in this aspect. I earn almost 8,000 pesos per month and I rent a relatively nice apartment for 2,000 pesos per month, with a roommate. The neighbourhood is lower-middle class but is relatively safe - the police patrol the area very heavily. It's just under one hour from the institute I work at, which although sounds like a lot, is still pretty good compared to the commuting times many people in Mexico City deal with, including some of my coworkers who live out in Mexico State. It's not great, but it could be a lot worse. I am slowly starting to accumulate savings. The drawback is the split shifts. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Enchilada Potosina
Joined: 03 Aug 2010
Posts: 344
Location: Mexico
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 9:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| canada_1986 wrote: |
| One thing that I want to add about ESL certificates earned abroad is that some private language institutes in Mexico don't care if you have a certification; some only accept teachers who have taken their proprietary teachers' course. One such institute is Centro de Idiomas Benjamin Franklin, located in the Del Valle area of Mexico City - they refused to even look at my CV because I haven't taken their teachers' course - a cost of about 1,900 pesos. |
Well, it's business at the end of the day which is why these places should be approached with the mentality of reaching an agreement or making a deal not so much applying for a job - everything is negotiable here. If you have experience and qualifications then you have bargaining power. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Samantha
Joined: 25 Oct 2003
Posts: 2038
Location: Mexican Riviera
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 12:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
Canada1986 wrote:
| Quote: |
One thing that I want to add about ESL certificates earned abroad is that some private language institutes in Mexico don't care if you have a certification; .......
......Some other institutes don't care if you have an EFL certificate or not, but they will train you free of charge. |
No matter what the schools claim is important to them, what's really important is that you have the applicable credential to satisfy Immigration for permission to work legally. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tideout
Joined: 05 Feb 2011
Posts: 213
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 1:03 am Post subject: Re: Reply! |
|
|
| MotherF wrote: |
In regards to my first question about S-TESOL and certificates, when you say that employers won't know or care, is that because all they care about is a body with a certificate regardless of where it came from?
To some extent, yes. But there is quite a lot of variety in terms of eployers. Many have no idea about any of these courses, some don't even speak any English themselves. Of course there's the other side to, who make it a priority to know all about all the different TEFL courses. As with most things in Mexico--it depends.
My research into Masters in Teaching or Education has proved to be an epic fail as far as finding a program in the US which offers endorsements in Spanish and English at the high school level... That is, with a masters degree in the above mentioned area, the graduate would be able to teach at the college level but NOT the public high school level...Go figure...
Do you happen to know of any?
Really? I just googled MAT ESL K-12 and got tons of hits. If you are looking for licensure, it's easiest to study in the state you hope to teach in, but not impossible to do other wise. I'm not sure now, but it used to be that some states accepted some other states' licenses through a series of agreements. When I was an undergrad, Iowa had many such agreements with other states. The University of Iowa has a MAT program in foreign language + ESL
http://www.education.uiowa.edu/teach/flesled/programs/mat.aspx
What do you think of getting a MA in Mexico?
Unless you choose the rather expensive program at UDLA Puebla, I don't think it would be worthwhile--getting an MA via distance how ever would be. There are a lot of choices, but this is one on the more affordable end; http://online.missouri.edu/degreeprograms/ed-tesol/details-copy.aspx
Why would the first year not be profitable? Because of not having experience and connections? What else could I do to make the first year "better"?
Yes, and Yes, but also do to the high start up costs in Mexico--which you can do little to deflect. Your visa will set you back around US 300 dollars all in all, and apartments often come completely unfurnished and require a security deposit.
You mentioned my current qualifications; is this because I don't have a teaching certificate at the moment?
No, certificate, and no experience, which is just as important as training. |
MotherF - Thanks for posting the Missouri online link. I'm curious about it now as it does look like one of the more affordable options out there (maybe 12K in tuition?) via online.
Does anyone have any experience with this particular program or on the flipside, have any thoughts on why it's a waste of time/not worth it etc...?
Thanks,
tideout |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MotherF
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1450
Location: 17�48'N 97�46'W
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 3:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I don't have direct experience but seriously considered this program, mainly because my parents now live in Missouri. But it's a well recognized (in the midwest) state university. And I believe that higher education should be publicly funded and non-profit, so I wouldn't want to do a course from a for profit business. When I did my distance course from England, there really were only 2 or 3 US options. Today there are a lot more US options.
The classes in the Missouri MA, to me, don't look like they offer much for an experienced teacher to learn. Almost more of a chance to get your knowledge validated with a degree. UMASS also offers a distance MA that is in applied linguistics, it looks a lot more theoretical, which has it's draw backs for new teachers who need practical knowledge, but seems more attractive (to me) for an experienced teacher. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tideout
Joined: 05 Feb 2011
Posts: 213
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 1:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
| MotherF wrote: |
I don't have direct experience but seriously considered this program, mainly because my parents now live in Missouri. But it's a well recognized (in the midwest) state university. And I believe that higher education should be publicly funded and non-profit, so I wouldn't want to do a course from a for profit business. When I did my distance course from England, there really were only 2 or 3 US options. Today there are a lot more US options.
The classes in the Missouri MA, to me, don't look like they offer much for an experienced teacher to learn. Almost more of a chance to get your knowledge validated with a degree. UMASS also offers a distance MA that is in applied linguistics, it looks a lot more theoretical, which has it's draw backs for new teachers who need practical knowledge, but seems more attractive (to me) for an experienced teacher. |
Thanks again MF.
Yes, the course listing looks a bit generic. I have about 3 years of experience but would like to increase the odds of getting into better positions wherever I end up.
I don't know what the qualifications are like for the better jobs in Mexico but I'm assuming an MA in TESOL would get me through the door providing there's a job to apply for.
In Korealandia I'd guess 90% + of those in University type settings have a Masters but a minority have linguistics/TESOL MA's. Again, should make one reasonably competitive in most places.
I also feel that the overall global market is shaky enough I'm not gambling on any high end versions of MA Tesol's. Just don't want to incur any debt really. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
