Job Discussion Forums

jessifer · Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Posts: 3

Hi,
I will be graduating soon and I am looking into teaching ESL (or French) in Mexico City. In April, I'll be completing my last semester at the University of La Havana (I'll be doing development work in Cuba as part of my studies) and I was thinking of just flying directly to Mexico rather than returning to Canada. I already have experience living in Mexico since I lived there for five months, although I was in Mazatlan which is significantly smaller!

The only problem is, this will be my first time working as an ESL teacher. I have a bit of experience since I am currently a Spanish TA at my university, and I have a TESOL certificate, but that's pretty much it. I am just wondering how difficult it is to get an ESL job which pays relatively well in el DF considering my limited experience (is 10,000 pesos/month feasible?) Also, if anyone has any advice on where to start (what parts of the city have a lot of ESL schools, or what areas are safe and affordable to live in, etc...), I would greatly appreciate it!

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

10,000 pesos per month is feasible if you look at teaching EFL in companies, though language schools that do that kind of work, or privately, if you get up the gumption. That will mean a lot of travel about the city, but no more than 25-30 teaching hours per week.

Working in a language school - and not heading out to companies - pays less. The bigger chains like Berlitz, Interlingua, Harmon Hall, among others, tend to pay either low hourly rates (35-60 pesos) or low monthly salaries...up to a maximum of 7500 pesos or so I'd say.

If the idea of travel doesn't sit well, you could always do a part time stint at a chain school and pick up a few company hours through another school. That would get you close to 10,000 pesos.

If you are staying awhile, teac a few privates if you like for extra income.

Best parts of town for looking (for work and a place to live) are Polanco, Lomas, Zona Rosa, anywere aong south Insurgentes Ave, Roma, Del Valle, and Satelite. Pretty much the whole central west half of the city. Nothing in the east on north part.

Ok...bear with me now. I'm gonna try...

Il nya pas beaucoup de travaille en la ville de mexique pour les profeseurs de francais. Tu puex essayer avec la Aliance Francaise, mais, je croix qu'ils ne pas pager tres bien.

jessifer · Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Posts: 3

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

I'm never going to try my French on this forum again! Crying or Very sad

With a name like mine, I'll never live this down.

jessifer · Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Posts: 3

Okay, you might not be able to answer this, but maybe I'll get lucky.

I'm sort of checking out school websites and their application process, particularly for obtaining an FM3. One of the main problems is that as far as having a diploma is that basically, my university issues its diplomas three times per year: May, Sept, and Jan. But since I'm going to be finishing my BA in Cuba, my credits won't be transferred on time to obtain my diploma in May, even though I will be done all my schooling. I've talked about this with my program counsellor, and she told me that what the university does in such cases is that they write a letter certifying that I've completed all my graduation requirements, and that I have a BA even though I won't have the actual diploma until Sept. But I'm sort of wondering how valid that's actually going to be over there, as I'm sure more schools (and the consulate, for that matter), will want to see the actual diploma. I have some idea of how the Mexican consulate is here in Toronto because they gave me a really hard time when I got an FM3 to study at ITESM (my experience with Tec is a whole different story...)

But what would you suggest? Have you heard of a similar situation?