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The Boz
Joined: 13 Jun 2004
Posts: 37
Location: Here and There
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 Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 7:04 pm Post subject: Panama vs. Mexico |
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I'm having a bit of trouble deciding between Panama and Mexico. I think most of the problem is that there's not a lot of information out there about Panama. If anyone could help me out by telling more about each country, I'd really appreciate it. I guess I should give some background on myself first - I'm a 23 yo American with a BA in English and a few Master's credits. I also have 1 year of ESL teaching experience in Asia. I'd appreciate any information on the two countries, but I hope you don't mind me asking some more specific questions as well.
1. I'm planning on coming in January or February, and I would prefer teaching adults or at an university. What're the situations like at these times in Panama and Mexico? How hard are these types of jobs to find?
2. Part of why I'm coming is to improve my Spanish ability (which is almost non-existent at the moment) for graduate school. I've heard that Panama deviates a great deal from standard Spanish - do you think it would be a big problem?
3. I've done Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the past, but I don't know how common it is to find a BJJ gym in Mexico or Panama.
4. I only plan on staying 6-8 months - will this create any kind of problem?
5. Is it best to just show up and look for work? Or are internet contacts worth looking into? |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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I agree on Panama bein tough to find info on. PirateinPanama is a helpful poster...he'll probably answer here shortly.
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| 1. I'm planning on coming in January or February, and I would prefer teaching adults or at an university. What're the situations like at these times in Panama and Mexico? How hard are these types of jobs to find? |
That's not a bad time at all to seek employment in Mexico, particularly for a language school. Maybe fewer uni jobs at that time, but there definitely will be some.
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| 3. I've done Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the past, but I don't know how common it is to find a BJJ gym in Mexico or Panama. |
I once saw a Brazilian martial arts demonstration in a Mexico City public square, so perhaps there may well be a gym, but I'm only guessing.
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| 4. I only plan on staying 6-8 months - will this create any kind of problem? |
Ok for language schools... maybe not for uni.
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| 5. Is it best to just show up and look for work? Or are internet contacts worth looking into? |
Often, it's easier to just show up but you can make internet contacts, if, at least, to make arrangements for an interview or just to locate schools. |
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MELEE
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 2583
Location: The Mexican Hinterland
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| Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 7:34 pm Post subject: |
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| The Boz wrote: |
| 1. I'm planning on coming in January or February, and I would prefer teaching adults or at an university. What're the situations like at these times in Panama and Mexico? How hard are these types of jobs to find? |
Without some sort of specific TEFL training it will be hard to teach at a university in Mexico. You wouldn't have a problem teaching adults at a language school.
| The Boz wrote: |
| 2. Part of why I'm coming is to improve my Spanish ability (which is almost non-existent at the moment) for graduate school. I've heard that Panama deviates a great deal from standard Spanish - do you think it would be a big problem? |
I've never been to Panama, although I knew a couple of Panamaians in the US who were part of a pan-latino community. I had no problem understanding them, but like I said, they were part of a pan-latino community so probably modified their Spanish. However, I'm a big fan or learning and maintaining the variety of any language--it would be so boring if we all spoke the same. The bigger problem is how many hours will you dedicate to teaching English, you may find that you don't have much time for learning Spanish, it might be better to sign up with some volunteer program like Amigos de las Americas and live in a community is learning Spanish is your main goal.
| The Boz wrote: |
| 3. I've done Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the past, but I don't know how common it is to find a BJJ gym in Mexico or Panama. |
Sorry, can't help you on this one.
| The Boz wrote: |
4. I only plan on staying 6-8 months - will this create any kind of problem?
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Yes, if you want to break even that is. Anyone looking to break even in Mexico really needs to stay 2 years. A working visa will set you back about 2000 pesos (with all the related expenses added in) and apartments usually come completely unfurnished.
| The Boz wrote: |
| 5. Is it best to just show up and look for work? Or are internet contacts worth looking into? |
I found my job here on Dave's nearly 8 years ago. There are some other sites that sometimes have Mexican jobs, a couple of people have mentioned that they've had good luck with job finder services which charge about US $15. In bigger cities just show up and look.
Best of Luck to you, |
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Cdaniels
Joined: 21 Mar 2005
Posts: 663
Location: Dunwich, Massachusetts
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| Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 9:59 pm Post subject: Re: Panama vs. Mexico |
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| The Boz wrote: |
| 3. I've done Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the past, but I don't know how common it is to find a BJJ gym in Mexico or Panama. |
You would not find Brazilian Ju-Jitsu in Mexico or Panama. As far as I can tell, BBJ is a Gracie family franchise. Perhaps there's some connection or maybe just confusion with the Afro-Brazilian tradition of Capoira (which is often presented as a kind of dance) I would suggest looking for another Ju-Jitsu school. I've tried several martial arts (excepting Ju-jitsu) and I have always found the differences as instructive as actual training.
(Hmmm. This sounds like MELEE's advice about Spanish!) I had a roomate from Panama for a few months. His Spanish was no less "non-standard" than that of other Latinos.
Last edited by Cdaniels on Tue Nov 08, 2005 2:08 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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pirateinpanama
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
Posts: 93
Location: Panama City, Panama
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 10:46 am Post subject: Panama |
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The short answer is Panama would be difficult on the university level without a work permit. Figure three months for all the paperwork to go through plus $500-$600 for a lawyer,etc. There may be a few language schools or private schools where you can get away without the permit. There is Florida St. University where you can get 1 class...if lucky... at $20 per hr.
As for improving your Spanish here, forget about it! I�d go to Mexico for that. |
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Cdaniels
Joined: 21 Mar 2005
Posts: 663
Location: Dunwich, Massachusetts
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 2:23 pm Post subject: Re: Panama |
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| pirateinpanama wrote: |
| As for improving your Spanish here, forget about it! I�d go to Mexico for that. |
Is it because English (or at least Spanglish!) is widely spoken, or a convergence of different languages? The only things I know about Panama is the Canal and US franchises like KFC opened there. |
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pirateinpanama
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
Posts: 93
Location: Panama City, Panama
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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I suppose I should have attatched an explanation. In short; a combination of what is supposed to be Spanish, English to a certain degree, and Caribbean whatever. In my humble opinion, it�s by no means a place to learn "proper Spanish."
For example, Colombians tell me they speak "the best" Spanish in Latin America. I tend to agree. I have "no problema" understanding them. But then again this is just from where I sit. |
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The Boz
Joined: 13 Jun 2004
Posts: 37
Location: Here and There
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 10:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks to everyone for the information. I was really happy to have my questions answered so quickly. It looks like Mexico is probably the better fit, but I'd still like to do a little more research on Panama. Does anyone know of any Panama forums or sites that might be of help? Thanks again for everything. |
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The Boz
Joined: 13 Jun 2004
Posts: 37
Location: Here and There
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| Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Also, just in case anyone else is interested in martial arts in Panama, I did find a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA in the San Francisco area of Panama City. I can give the information in the unlikely situation that anyone wants it, so let me know if you do. |
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