Job Discussion Forums

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

Okay, Gee, you don't want to be judged, and you've found some of the responses on this thread to be judgmental in your opinion. I'll try not to come across as judgmental in my response.

I'm not familiar with all of Mexico and its TEFL job possibilities. Considering your qualifications and experience, I'd say that if you came to the city where I live, maybe you could find a job teaching EFL. You'd be competing with quite a few people with better qualifications and some TEFL experience under their belt already. You might find a job that paid enough for you to break even at the end of a year of teaching here if you lived very conservatively. I doubt that you would be able to save any money during that year. Most likely you'd have to dip into your savings to get by. I know of no language schools in this city that provide housing for their teachers. It would be possible to get around on a daily basis in this city without knowing any Spanish, but it would be difficult and frustrating for the most part. I think you would find it a relatively safe city to live in, and you'd find the people to be more friendly than unfriendly, but without being able to speak Spanish at least at a basic level, you'd be very limited in the area of meeting people.

samnycusa · Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 7

Hello members, I want to work in Gualdalajara Jalisco Mexico teaching English and I came across a site saying that they will guarantee you a position in Mexico teaching English. The price for their services is $300 US. Is this real or a scam? Below is a link to their website.

http://www.teach-english-mexico.com/guaranteed.htm#Placement

I would appreciate any feedback especially if you have any personal experience with this placement company. Thank you.

samnycusa · Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 7

I am interested to live and teach English in Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico. Although I do not have a TEFL or TESOL certificate, I do have a bacherlor's degree from a university in New York City.
I want to find a job placement agency that would guarantee a teaching position in Jalisco Mexico as soon as I arrive. I plan to get certified in TEFL once I am living in Mexico. I would appreciate any help you can provide. Thank you.

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

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I agree with Ben Round on this one.

I have been approached by placement agencies, and they did not have any exclusive jobs--at least the ones that approached me. They had just pulled jobs off different Internet job sites. You can apply directly--through the same sites-- and save your money.

profgizmo · Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2005 5:06 pm Post subject:

Gee,
I dont think anyone on this forum was really trying to hurt your feelings, they are just giving you the reality of Mexico. If you are set on teaching English, making some money, and not needing to know the native language....you might look into teaching in China. It seems that they are very excited to have teachers there and usually provide air fare and often accomodations. You would have to agree to a 1 year contract. Check out job forums on China to find out more. Just a thought.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Not a bad idea.

Latin America is not for the thin-skinned.

still trying · Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 9:46 am Post subject:

You might call what you do "reality counclling" but I think that you are going over the top whit your opinions. Please!! restraijn form making all thes jugment of peoples ability and try to rembemer how impeerfect we awl are. There are a lot of opportunities in countries like this (Mexico) I hope that Gee doewsn't lose their urge to teach and share what they have with the world. All the typos and gramitical errors were intentional .K.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Fine, Gee is YOUR responsibility.

I never encourage people to leave their home country if I believe they are not ready to leave the nest. Sometimes experience brings with it not only a bit of wisdom, but also compassion.

thelmadatter · Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 5:42 pm Post subject: my 2 cents

I wont judge the OP's maturity level, but I also agree that she is not qualified to find a decent job here in Mexico. I believe her best bet would be to get better certification any whatever kind of experience she can (volunteer if necessary), if teaching is what she really wants to do.

Maybe she doesnt need to wait five years but a year or so wouldnt hurt. Another option, if she really wants to be in Mexico for a while (but not sure about the teaching thing or wants to come here now) might be to study here. Come here for a summer and take Spanish classes (San Miguel Allende is noted for this). This way she can see a bit of Mexico for herself without having to worry about work.

Then if you like it, sam, you can do what you need to become a teacher here.

Walkerman · Joined: 02 Jan 2005 Posts: 6

Gee, it takes a little exposure to the style of different people's responses on forums like this to get accustomed to it. If you are getting opinions that don't agree with yours, well that's not so unusual. I have considered Mexico for ESL because I love the language and culture (art, food, music, people..) and want more of it in me. With 20+ years in the work force, only 1 officially in ESL (Korea)though many with immigrants to the US, I am still hesitant to try and break into TEFL in Mexico. You'll find the reasons on this board. I was fortunate to take a great TEFL course taught by highly qualified, passionate and experienced professors at a local university. It took 6 weeks and that was not enough.
When you arrive at a foreign teaching assignment, you will likely find some level of problems with cultural and interpersonal communication. Believe me, they have expectations and are rather blunt in asserting the hierarchy. No one is assigned to show you around or help you learn how to get what you need. It takes some time to learn how to deal with these things. (several months) Just like starting any new job, or moving anywhere. At the same time, starting out as a teacher, you inevitably expend a lot of extra time, effort and frustration in trying to do your best, and LEARN how to teach. And you have to more or less please your boss, students, and parents, as well as fellow teachers... and of course yourself. And learn the language.
Many posters here at Dave's have the hard won knowledge of experience. Most have gotten it through some possibly less than perfect "opportunities" abroad, and some great ones too. I join them in recommending that you continue to read for hours on here and you'll learn better to find the wisdom and guidance, which first hand experience brings, and toss out what you don't feel is important. It's tough sometimes. TEFL can be a tough racket, it is run by businessmen. Some good, some not. You can find your niche no doubt, but it'll take some looking. Preparation for the "adventure" of a life abroad is sage advice. It speaks to your safety, sanity, and success. Keep working hard towards your goal. Most things worthwhile are not come by all that easily or quickly. Reading this and other forums is a key to your being ready for the journey. And remember, it may soon be up to YOU to correct people's grammar, spelling, punctuation, pronunciation, sentence structure, reading comprehension, test their language level, write monthly assessments for 200 kids, grade all of their papers, then defend to your bottom-line boss why students aren't learning quickly enough in your class...and more. (and there are bugs in your bed, the toilet won't flush, and you have some sort of strange rash!) I may be driving truck...
Best wishes,
CW

berlitzoax · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 13 Location: Oaxaca

Hi again Gee,

One idea would be to come to Mexico for a month or two (if you have the money to support yourself) and take some intensive Spanish classes in a city that takes your fancy. You will learn Spanish (obviously), meet some people, and make some contacts. If you study at a school that offers both English and Spanish, you might even get the chance to teach English there should an opening become available. If not, you will have time to look around the city and visit all of the other schools. You might meet some other English teachers who can keep you updated of some openings at there schools.

I hope this is of some help to you Smile

vespertine · Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 35

Based on Gee's responses I would highly doubt he/she has the mental strength to handle teaching or living in Mexico. If a simple message board gets him/her all riled up, then imagine a classroom? Imagine life in Mexico with the language barrier? Yikes.

berlitzoax · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 13 Location: Oaxaca

Yikes, of course I meant "their" schools, not "there" schools. Typing too fast I guess!