Job Discussion Forums

[peter loetterle]

My name is Peter Loetterle and I am a graduate student in TESL at
Humboldt State University. I tutor and teach ESL for the HSU Learning
Center and English Department. In June of 2005, I want to teach abroad
in southern Mexico or Central America with my partner, Nicole. We have
posted our resumes and cover letters to Dave's ESL Cafe, but now I
wonder if we might've posted too early. Again, we hope to start teaching sometime next summer. Any advice or information would be appreciated. If anyone wants to see our cover letters or resumes, just let me know
through email; they are also available on the resumes link in the International Jobs section.

Thanks,
Pete

[naturegirl321]

Yep, a bit too early. Try applying again in March or April. If you're gutsy, you could just hop on a plane and look for a job once you�re here.

[peter loetterle]

Naturegirl,

Thank you for the quick reply. I appreciate it.

pete

[tara_lee_anne]

Hi,

I just dropped off a resume at a school in Mexico just over a week ago (for a position starting in August 2005), specifically because the owner of the school requested that I give it to her before I leave. I don't think it's too early to post your resume or to start sending it out to schools. If you do send it to specific schools though, just make sure you keep in touch with them throughout the rest of the year to let them know what you are up to and that you are still interested in a position with them.

Good luck!

[Guy Courchesne]

If we are talking about university English departments, then the time is RIGHT NOW to get your CV in. If we are talking about language centers, then January is a good time to start. Most language centers are closing up 2004 right now, so a resume will go into the dustbin and be forgotten. Wait until the New Year's champagne has gone flat to send it in.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

I don't think it's ever too early. However, continued follow-up on your part is important. The longer a CV and application form sit in an administrator's office, the further they get buried in a file or under stacks of other stuff. You've got to keep reminding them that you're still interested in working for them.

In the EFL department where I work (state university) nobody would have a clue as to possible openings for next semester, which starts in February, much less what the hiring situation will be like in June 2005. Actually, I guess that's not true now that I think about it. The chances of someone being hired to start teaching in June 2005 where I work would be close to zero, because it would be almost the end of a semester with the next one starting in September.

I think you'll find that summer, at least in Southeast Mexico, is not the best time of year to begin teaching. Enrollment is usually way down at language schools. Some offer special summer tuition fees in order to get enough students to maintain their programs during the summer months. Most universities here don't offer EFL classes at all during the summer.

[alfred_utton]

Is it too late for me to get a university job? Should I try anyway or concentrate on other institutions?

[Guy Courchesne]

Try everywhere....no use in limiting your search.

[Twisting in the Wind]