Job Discussion Forums

[philipjmorgan42]

Hi everyone

So I worked for just under 2 years in Mexico, which seemed like a long time to me but is probably just a drop in the ocean for some of the other expats on here. But anyway I thought I'd share some of my conclusions about work options based on my experiences and see what other people think

Language schools: worked for various different ones. Cons: poor pay, they often expect (or should I say demand) complete availability from you to work any day any time and an exclusive commitment to work for them. Classes are mostly in the evenings. Can't speak for others, but personally prefer normal working hours. Pros -maybe ok for novice teachers? Verdict: to be avoided unless you're desperate for a job.

ITESM: Worked at an ITESM Preparatoria Campus for 2 semesters. Pros: classrooms come with everything you could possibly want for your class...projectors, speakers, wifi access. Cons: far too much unpaid extra work aside from actual teaching time in classroom (marking, planning courses, grading) ; poor pay (especially considering first point); lack of professionalism (generally "the student is right and must be right because his or her parents is paying the teacher's wages" was the type of attitude I experienced and); problems with students and lack of support from staff. Verdict: avoid like the plague! (though maybe not all private Mexican schools??)

SUNEO University system Oaxaca: worked for a public university in the state of Oaxaca and this was without doubt the best teaching job I had while in Mexico. Pros: good pay; bonuses and good holidays; full time normal hours; teachers have their own office and freedom to teach the way they want to; no problems with students; generally professional; a real taste of Mexican education that you can't get from working for language schools or at a private school like ITESM. Cons: the universities are not located in areas which are particularly interesting from a tourist's point of view; because students have no English background prior to studying it at university and will almost certainly not use it again after university, it can be frustrating and demotivating for you as a teacher teaching them. Verdict: Definitely worth taking one of these jobs if one comes your way even if only for a couple of semesters.

Free lance classes / classes in companies / online classes
This is something that I did a little of whilst working for ITESM and then eventually ended up doing full time for while. I'm planning to write another forum specifically about that since I have a lot to say on the subject...but pros and cons: pros: good pay per hour; potentially lots of demand for classes (depending on area); deal directly with students and cut out bureaucracy; get paid in cash and don't pay any tax on it; free to teach students according to your own methods and ideas; good for meeting Mexicans and learning about Mexico. Cons: problems with cancellations, unreliable students and timewasters; classes often at unsociable hours (early mornings and evenings); you need your own teaching materials; good level of Spanish required. Verdict: this is a very good option if you want to work for yourself and in my case gave me a very good income (20 000 pesos plus monthly). However, it is not for the fainthearted. You absolutely need a good level of Spanish, plus a bit of experience in Mexico and a bit of know how about how things work here to make a go of this.

This post is already very long so I won't say anything else except to thank people on here who helped me with info when I was in Mexico and invite you to give me your thoughts...Que esperan? Contestame ya jaja!

[BadBeagleBad]

Wow! That´s a lot of jobs in two years. While starting pay at language schools is on the low end, you can work your way up. I know people who have been working at some of the well known chains for upwards of 10 years and have all moved into other positions besides teaching.

A lot of the comments you made about teacher are not limited to Mexico, but to teaching in general. I have taught in three different countries (including the US) and did not find much of a difference in the three. Teachers everywhere have to prepare on their own time, maybe you hadn´t taught before and didn´t realize that.

[water rat]

Mucho gracias for sharing Phil. Said it before, I'll say it again. I've been around the world twice, in this game 30 years, and the Mexicans are the finest people on Earth. My first jobs were in El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, but I admired the Mexicans even before I started.

Then one night in a Tokyo tequila bar, I met 'Pedro' a Japanese business man who had worked in Mexico and loved and missed those guys as much as I did. We shared a few Coronas and a plate of burritos. His English was poor, my Japanese was worse, so we spoke Spanish together.

Era tan nostálgico y sentimental

[esl_prof]

Thanks for sharing, Phil! This was very interesting and informative. It sounds like you gained a lot of experience during your very short time in Mexico.

[Fitzgerald]

Yes, thank you for this post. Lots of good information / observations here.

The language schools are an interesting topic, so I am going to start a couple of other threads about issues specifically related to them.

I am going to do some privates, although my Spanish is not the greatest. I am specifying "intermedio / avanzado" in my ads. I'll report back on how this goes.

I worked full-time for Tec Prepa Sinaloa in Culiacan for three years, as some of my longtime readers here know. I concur with all your comments. During my stay at Tec Prepa Sinaloa, the administration lowered the starting pay for new international teachers considerably, and as an unsurprising consequence, had much more difficulty attracting them. (Fortunately, my salary was grandfathered in.) I would however consider working part-time for Tec Queretaro, although I am sure the part-time pay is unspectacular.

Tec Prepa is scarcely as bad as a Mexican prepa / international school can get. I lasted three years there; I didn't even complete one semester at Colegio Peterson in Mexico City, it was so unbelievably awful. (It is a real courtesy to even call Colegio Peterson a school.)

I have not taught at other Mexican universities, public or private, but I am going to approach some of these in Queretaro for part-time work.

[MotherF]

[Fitzgerald]

I looked at Philip's February 19 post again today, because it has remained in my mind as one of the best pros-and-cons analyses of different types of international teaching that I have seen.

The comments on language schools are right on the money. Even the best of them are exploitative. I am working for one now, as I am in transition from one city to another, and they do have their uses during such a period because you can find jobs at them quickly if you are "on the ground." Turnover is ultra-high, so there are always jobs available. With rare exceptions, though, none of these schools will spend an extra peso to keep a good teacher on staff. They are used to the turnover; it means nothing to them, since it is part of their business model.