Job Discussion Forums

Sonceree · Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Dayton, OH

I am working as a literacy tutor/esol tutor here in the US with the Americorps program. You don't earn a cert but getting the experience is great. I am planning to get a cert next year after I finish this prgram and want to use it to do some traveling and teach to earn enough money to get by. First of all is this feasible? I am getting mixed reviews about the idea.

Secondly, I can't decide on what cert program. I had gotten info on one in Mexico City but I am wondering if it really a safe place? Does anyone have any suggestions about a prgram or location? In general is it really safe for a woman to travel alone on an international scale?

I don't know many people that have spent much time in Mexico so it's hard to get an experienced opinion versus an assumption. Also someone else told me getting the cert was a waste of time because they had three and it did them no good. Are these programs worth it and are these certs really useful? I am not trying to make a lot of money I just want to be able to support myself as I do a little traveling. Ideally I would like to teach in Mexico and Asia.

Please Help Me
Sonceree

Sonceree · Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Dayton, OH

There are a few other things I am wondering about as well. Is there any bias against Americans? What about racism? My dad is black, my mom is caucasian and apache. I am mistaken for Samoan and a few other type of islanders, sometimes people think I am Asian and Black. I am just curious about this? And finally if I take a cert course and have my Bachelors completed will I be able to find a job? What about a work visa? I am assuming I need one of those if I get employment at a school or business?

Thanks again,
Sonceree

miss_betty · Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 41 Location: Hermosillo, Mexico

my two cents

I just fininshed by EFL Cert a few months ago. If you can afford it, take a TESL class in the city you want to live in....that is if you know where you want to live. If you do that, It will make it 100 times easier to find a job right out of your certification.

As I understand it, and I could be wrong, you do not necessarily need a TESL cert to work in Mexico. Many ask, but it is not required by the govt. Asia is a a huge continent, you have to be more specific where in Asia you want to go. Once you know that, do some research on the Asia boards. Also, look at the general discussion boards, I found a ton of answers to my questions when I was first considering. Use the search funtions too. V V Helpful

So, my thoughts are, do a certification if you can afford it. It never hurts to have some paper to back you up. You did not say how old you were, or if money was an issue. I did the CELTA certification. It is the most expensive, but also the most recognized internationally. That is why I did it. If you want to learn more about it, search the internet or the general boards here. Pick a program that has at least 120 hours of class time too. I would stay away from Dr Bob's internet TESL Certification program. Anythink internet, do not do. YOU need to class time.

Your best bet is do some research into where you want to live, find out what the requirements are ( BA only on BA plus TESL) and that may solve your problem for you.

As far as visas go, that again is country by country. the place I work at processed my visa, some make you process it, some make you pay for it, other school will pay it for you. That is your second step.

My thoughts about racism....i have not worked in Mexico v long, but i have heard through the grapevine that light skin is more socially acceptable. DO NOT LET that stop you. If you have a lovely personality, sell your self, your CERTifications and your experience.

good luck

PlayadelSoul · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Playa del Carmen

Immigration can be fickle when it comes to asking for certification. The days of the "native speaker straight into the classroom" are pretty much over, at least in this part of Mexico. I would recommend getting certified.

Mexico City would not be on my top ten list of places to study and work. Others swear by it, but there are just way too many people for my liking.

Racism exists in Mexico, as it does everywhere else, but there is more classism than anything. My guess is that you will be looked at strangely, but not much beyond that.

periodista-masajista · Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 54 Location: Texas, USA

Miss B is definitely right about taking a course in the city where you want to work. Very few places in Mexico will hire you on the basis of a resume and a telephone interview. This is a face-to-face country...I think you could be Noam Chomsky and they'd toss your resume in the wastebasket if it just rolled in off the fax unsolicited.

I was lucky enough to be hired by a school in Campeche while still in Guadalajara, but that's mainly because my school in GDL has a very good relationship with the school in Campeche and I had networking on my side. Also, this place (Campeche) is somewhat off the gringo-beaten path, so you don't have unemployed English teachers just wandering the streets around here. Basically, unless you have time and money to go roaming around Mexico looking for work, go to a school that's at least close to where you'd like to be.

As for racism, I haven't been in Mexico long enough to have too much of an opinion, but I have heard a few comments about black people that weren't hateful so much as just ignorant (and I haven't even talked to President Fox yet). I tend to concur with Playa del Soul that classism is a more significant force here. So I wouldn't worry about the race thing in general.

Best of luck! This is a wonderful country, and if you can manage to land a job at a school where conditions and practices are at least halfway decent, you should have a great time.

Sonceree · Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Dayton, OH

Well I am 27. I am also wondering if it is safe for me as a young woman to travel alone. No one really touched on that. My mom especially has some reservation about that, but she has never traveled much and certainly hasn't been to Mexico. The program in Mexico City is supposed to give job placement assistance with locating employment anywhere. This is at least a year off for me because that is when I will be graduating (I am getting my BS in Global Management and Communications) but I want to get a jump on researching because I want to leave soon after I graduate. Do any of you have any other suggestions?

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

As another young woman, I understand your concern, but I've been in Mexico since the end of April and have traveled to many different parts of the country, mostly alone. Other than lots of whistles, I've had no problems. I have never felt unsafe and have found most people to be friendly and helpful. Of course, I don't walk alone late at night. Use your common sense, as you would anywhere, and I think you'll be fine.

travelinhobo · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 35 Location: U.S.

What ever you do, do not waste your money at the Guadalajara school called ITTO. The TEFL program was such a waste of time, money and energy. I can tell you more if you're interested.

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

What was wrong with ITTO?

Sonceree · Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Dayton, OH

No one has really given me any suggestions for a course or given me any idea of what areas would be okay to go to and where I should stay away from. Also does any one know of anyTEFL courses in Puerto Rico? I cannot seem to find anything...

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

I think that the program you refer to in Mexico City is the one I work for. I can help answer your questions if you like. PM me

MELEE · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 6:14 pm Post subject:

If you do a search of the board, you'll find earlier comments I made about TEFL courses in Mexico. As an employer, I'd recommend the CELTA at the IH Maya Riviera. I'd hire someone with the CELTA and International House names behind them, over someone with an independent TEFL. I'm not saying other courses might not be good, but it is really hard for me as an employer to know about all the different courses. One think I like about the CELTA is that people actually FAIL it. They don't just issue it to everyone who pays their money and attends the course.