Job Discussion Forums

rafomania · Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 95 Location: Guadalajara

For those of you who are teaching or have taught in Mexico, I have a question. How would you describe your students? Any characteristics that are good/bad in your opinion about Mexican students?
I'm interested to know how you have found teaching students there...

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

The biggest thing I have noticed is the priority system in this culture is quite different than most of us are used to and takes adjustment. The top priority is generally family, followed by friends, followed by work and last but not least, school or classes. If you are part of a Mexican family this is a good thing, but if you are a teacher it can give you a little complex. Smile

So questionable attendance and homework assignments are the thing I notice foreign teachers trying to deal with here, followed by the dreaded cell phone ringing in the classroom and students bolting for the door "just for a minute, teacher". (My rule was that only single moms could keep their cell phones on during class) You can't change things like this so you have no choice but to adjust or you will lose your mind (and get fired). I think British teachers have the roughest go in this area, from what I have seen. Classroom discipline and rules as you know them, don't cut it here.

On the plus side, you will get to hear the most creative excuses imaginable, plus learn the Mexican sign language. Locals in my area can have a whole conversation across a crowded room, and everyone involved will understand what is taking place. During exam time, a teacher will want to keep an eye on that (literally)! Idea

This is only my experience but I live in a very casual laid-back area where getting uptight about little things does absolutely no good. I am sure that it may be another story in DF or Guadalajara (and other cities) where the pace of life is much different.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Absolutely true. English class is definitely the last priority it seems.

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

I teach in a state university EFL program which is open to anyone who has completed secundaria. Although the majority of our students are in the 18-22 age range, we have quite a few prepa students who want more from their English classes than they can get in prepa as well as a number of students who are older than traditional university students.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I have found Mexican students to be extremely creative (this is a very right brain culture, in general) and very motivated to learn. In fact I taught a learning course in Spanish last year for incoming university students and was pleasantly surprised that they surpassed my expectations of progress and enthusiasm.

Obviously, some students have more facility for languages than others, but generally Mexicans are good language learners (as evidenced by generally very high scores of my students on TOEFL and Michigan exams).

The only other latin American country where I have taught is Ecuador--and I found Ecuadorian students to be very similar in academic habits to Mexican students.