Job Discussion Forums

RHH · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 2 Location: RETIRED

I am a retired high school teacher (social sciences), moving to Mexico in January 2007. I have a BA/MA (both in history), over thirty years teaching experience. Would I be required to have some type of English language certification (ESL-TEFL etc) if I desired to teach English on a part time basis? Sorry if this has been asked before. If it has been, I have not seen the threads. Thanks in advance. Rich Smile

MO39 · Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:20 am Post subject:

I think you'd find that teaching English as a Foreign Language is quite a different task from teaching history in English. If you don't want to invest in a TEFL certificate course, I suggest you do some volunteer teaching/tutoring (perhaps to immigrants) while you're still in the States to get your feet wet, perhaps with a program that gives its volunteers some basic training in TEFL concepts and methods.

RHH · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 2 Location: RETIRED

Thanks. I had just contacted a local agency about that. I'm scheduled to visit them next week.

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

With your past teaching experience, I'm sure you could find part-time jobs teaching EFL in this country without having a TEFL certificate. Many schools, especially many private language schools, would not require more credentials/experience than what you already have.

MO39's suggestion about volunteering in an ESL program is a good one, especially if you can find one that offers some type of training to its volunteers. I agree 100% with her thoughts that teaching EFL is not the same as teaching history (or any other subject) in English. Obviously, with your years of teaching experience, you already know what you need to know about classroom management and organization. However, as MO39 pointed out, concepts, methods, and techniques for teaching EFL are very different from teaching other subjects. I was a high school English teacher for 20 years in the States before making the move to EFL in Mexico. Trust me on this. It's not the same.

canadiense · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 13 Location: Mexico/Canada

Although most schools prefer someone who is well-certified in ESL, it is Mexican immigration that requires a certificate that indicates you can teach English or ESL.
It is possible that another credential would be accepted, but the ESL certificate is the standard. Ask any school that you are applying to, what their local immigration office accepts. They should know.