Job Discussion Forums

morgan · Joined: 03 Nov 2004 Posts: 2

Hi everyone,

I am currently looking into heading down to Mexico in hopes of teaching English, but am first looking into a ESL course that is reputable. Most importantly I am looking to get certified by an institution that will be recognized for getting a Visa (FM3).

If anyone has heard of an outfit running out of the UK called "I to I", could I possibly get some feedback.

The website is www.onlinetefl.com

Thanks in advance,

Morgan

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I-to-I runs a good course. Make sure you take the version that gives you a teaching practicum, with observed classes - if you have never taught before.

I'm not sure if this is enough for an FM3. You'll have to get the certificate certified (apostilled) by the Mexican consulate there in London, as well as your degree. Mind you, all of this can often be done from within Mexico too, but it's best to check with the Embassy there in the UK first.

morgan · Joined: 03 Nov 2004 Posts: 2

Thanks for the reply Mr. Courchesne.
I do have teaching experience, although not in english. I teach martial arts in Canada. In terms of I to I, I was looking into the online course and then once I got the certification I would drop into a couple of local ESL classes for a little while.

Did you have trouble getting your FM3 for when you went down? How long did it take?? Are there any other courses that you would recomend over this one?

Thanks

Morgan

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Well, first, I married a Mexico City woman, so I went through thr process differently for immigration. I'm from Ottawa, by the by.

Immigration here will first and foremost look at your uni degree for the FM3, which doesn't necessarily need to be related to teaching. The i-to-i cert, or any cert in TESOL/TEFL, etc is also needed. I'll admit though, that I have seen some of our TEFL grads get an FM3 on the cert alone, after having forgotten their uni degree back home. Maybe it depends more on the Mexican state...

If you haven't taught English before, abroad, or in an ESL class in Canada, then you shouldn't do an online course. Without a teaching practicum, decent language centers won't hire you. Oh you'll find one that will, but check around on this forum and others for advice on these language centers.

There are many courses in Canada and in Mexico that I would recommend, but I think that price is probably a concern for you, correct? i-to-i offers a good price, but the online study medium reflects that. If you can find it in your city, Oxford Seminars is fairly economical. If you want to do a good course, with a real practicum, consider the courses available in Mexico. There is:

-Teachers Latin America TESS-EFL in Mexico City (where I teach and work in admin)
-ITTO in Guadalajara
-University English Teachers on the beach in Puerto Vallarta
-CELTA through (I think) International House on the beach in Playa del Carmen
-Vancouver Language Center in Guadalajara

There are probably some smaller providers I've missed...maybe they will pipe up here in this thread soon. Oh, there is also the infamous Teach and Travel in Merida, Yucatan. Here's where Ben Round de Block can have his say here.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Thank you Ben. and I apologize...I didn't mean to sully your city with the implied presence of Teach and Travel there within its confines.

Wink

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

In DF, the chilangos says that Merida people have big foreheads and bad attitudes. Any truth to that Ben?

Not sure I'd want to vacation in Big Forehead-Bad Attitude State. I wonder if that's the slogan on license plates? Kinda like New Jersey - The Garden State.

Oh now I've done it... Laughing

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Chilangos use their horns to express the sentiment of this city. The tune is the same as shave and a haircut...two bits though that is too old for most people to know. It's similar to what you may knock on someone's door. Da da-da da da....da DA! Anyway, in chilango, via the car horn, it's a little more vulgar at ching* tu madre...cabr*n

Popular when there's traffice, which is 26 hours per day here. Where'd the extra 2 hours come from? The mayor put a second floor on the Periferico so we can double the traffic and have things fall on us in an earthquake.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

So, to answer the original question of this thread...

Which was what?

Oh yeah...other courses to recommend. There's Big Forehead-Bad Attitude state course, Traffic City course, Tequila until you pass out state courses, and Fry in the Sun state course.

Of course, I'm only having fun. All the courses are great and you'll have a fun time poking people in their big foreheads in Mexico.