Job Discussion Forums

[chicagogirl]

I have recently recieved several requests for referrals so i decided to send one to all of you! I am currently working at Tecnological De Monterray in Puebla, teaching a full load to prepatoria students..so i am extremely busy and as you can see i had great success with my year in Mexico.

I went to Itto last June, I stayed at a posada they recommended (sorry i dont remember the name but it was nice and affordable) it was an intense month, as i had never taught before. We had long days and began teaching immediatly. I would say our professor, Juan, was excellent..there were some things i didn't like. but over all it was a great experience. I liked that we were put in classrooms right away..it helped me build confidence and gain experience..is what i didn't like is that they had us observing a lot of bad teachers and there is only so much you can learn by that..also we didn't really get much help in planning our classes ..we were to come up with creative, communicative lesson plans..under a very short time..i found this difficult as i had no idea what i was doing..but over all it was a great, intense experience. The students bonded and formed friendshiops and we travelled together on the weekends and hung out durning the week!
The staff was excellent, Cari was my rep and she was sooooo nice! They do have job placement but its not exactly the city you pick..they have you fill out a form of your top three places then in the last week they start offering you jobs....based on what jobs are availabale ..not your location choice..I was offered a job in Ixtapa and took it..after i was there for a week i realized that was not the place for me and i declined the job..it was a really really small beach town...and not what i was looking for ..when i asked for more help in another place (lifetime guarantee) Jacabo was no longer helpful and i was on my own. I went to Puebla by myself and found my own job. the first semester was rough but i found a job (a lot of patiance) and i made contacts at the Tec where i am now working and have the opportunity for a full time position.

My background was in theater and i had never taught before, I am now planning on returning to the states to get a masters in applied linguistics so that i can teach in univeristies..anywhere in the world.

Here is my advice and opinion. If you want to explore teaching as a career or use this as a means to travel (that is why i did it..both reasons) then do it!!!! you will find a job and itto will help you initially. The jobs vary and it has been my experience that universities will probably not hire you with out a higher degree..i lucked out in Puebla..but you will find jobs if you want to where ever you go! there are always opportunities you just have to be patient and have enough to live on for a month or two. I came here with less then $3000 and if i was a better budgeter (what can i say i am American) i could have stretched it a long way... i ran out of money by the end of Septemeber..but i also traveled all over the country and had fun along the way. right now i live with another american and my rent is $130 US D..and i make about $600 us after taxes. The Tec sponsored me in my visa and my first semester i was paid under the table and it was very stressfull. I make enough to live on do some travelling..just returned from Puerto Escondido where i spent my semana santa..2nd time there this year...but you have to live smart..Puebla is expensive and i can't afford the same things I had in the states..but that is ok for now...

As for a Puebla recommendation..its a semi big city..at first glance it has a lot of culutre and things to do..but once your here there is not much going on..nightlife is young....and not much to do..very conservative and people are hard to get to know..its also chilly..and i moved from Chicago to warm up...i haven't been hot here or really loved the weather.

I also met some guys who went to the IH program in Playa del Carmen..they were our roomates for a month..they had about the same experience ..so i think the only difference is location and i think itto has a better job placement.

Good luck..go for it if its what you want! I have no regrets and chose itto because of the job placement and that gave me confidence knowing i would have a job...you just can't be picky with them. I am going to continue this as a career...but even if you are just looking for a means to support your travels ..it is still a good oportunity and way to explore other cultures.

Good luck, I made it happen and if its want you want you will too! feel free to ask me more questions i will do my best to reply! ..and sorry about the grammar and spelling errors..no time!

[rafomania]

Excellent Chicagogirl, just what potential teflers are after. Come on other ITTO grad's, we need to hear about your experiences!!