Job Discussion Forums

[corporatehuman]

[Ben Round de Bloc]

Corporatehuman, I think you're getting way too "into it" for it to be healthy. Take a look at fulamuso's points listed below. In my opinion, those are the types of goals a person should focus on, and they shouldn't produce a huge amount of anxiety.

[MELEE]

Once again BRDB proves himself to be a wise man! Well said Tim.

To the rest of you HELLO, we were talking about whether or not English Unlimited is an ok place to work.

[corporatehuman]

Too into it?? I just thought it was fun to write about what I was experiencing, especially upon questioning.

I think you misunderstand my post... ...too into it to be "healthy?" I find that really very strange! I don't see anything wrong with thinking about Mexico before I go, in fact, it feels very healthy to do so! And if I have some anxiety, so what?? What's wrong with acknowledging it, or talking about it?

It feels perfectly human!

I am looking forward to the experience and am very open to what happens, wherever, however.

- Chris

[corporatehuman]

The funny thing is I KNEW posting that note to Cdaniels would result in this, anyway, I still posted it! I'll use PMs next time, it definitely is off-topic.

So I agree, leave the rest of the talk to EU.



- Chris

[grahamcito]

Fulamuso,

1. Again, are you saying that you�ve had no problems or difficulties in your dealings with Michael Tan? This was the issue of the first post on English Unlimited SLP way-back-when, and is slightly more important than whether there�s anything to do in SLP on a Tuesday night.

2. In your professedly neutral first post, why didn�t you mention that since February you�ve been Academic Coordinator (ie a management position) at English Unlimited SLP? Slip your memory? or didn�t you think it was relevant?

(Apologies if this sounds weird, but I was intrigued by the name fulamuso and when I googled it, it brought up your blog, complete with references to "my teachers".)

3. Why is English Unlimited "desperate" (your word) for teachers?

[cwc]

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[fulamuso]

[ls650]

You mentioned that Mr. Tan prefers that employees work full-time, 34+ hours per week.

Is that 34 hours classtime, or does that include office time too? That strikes me as quite a grind for a measly 6000 pesos per month.

That might be okay as a first job for six months or a year... but I'd sure as heck recommend people move on to better opportunities.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[fulamuso]

[grahamcito]

Fulamuso,

Thanks for answering my questions, your post gives more useful info about EU SLP than any other post I�ve read.

It also completes your assessment of the school; after what�s been said before, your first post just didn�t give the whole picture without addressing Mr Tan. There was never any need to go through all of El Gringo�s points, like you showed.

About having your position, it�d be a bit more responsible and, well, honest if people posting about their school - especially when deliberately trying to shape readers opinions of that school - acknowledged a management position. Not doing that leaves you wide open to accusations of posting marketing spiel.

[MELEE]

Fulamuso

What are your qualifications? Sorry if you've already mentioned them, I'm to lazy to go back and reread today!

If you have a BA and a CELTA or Trinity cert, I could give you some leads for some MUCH better jobs in other parts of Mexico. By now you have experience that would help you earn around 10,000 a month, and only teach 10 to 15 hours a week.

English Unlimited sounds like a good first job. If you stay in a first job too long your end up like some of the bitter posters over in the general discussion forum.

[canadiense]

You got it, Ben Round de bloc.

"If you can't learn to be a little more laid-back, relaxed, and go-with-the-flow, I'm afraid the Mexican experience will drive you right up the wall. You'll find lots of things in this country that are simply beyond your control. You'll need to recognize those things and deal with them. Relax and enjoy the experience, maintain a sense of humor, and accept the idea that things work out the way they're meant to be."

Mexico is great , but not if you're constantly comparing salaries to the U.S. The rent is cheaper in Mexico and you can buy fresh food at far better prices than in Canada or the U.S.

Fulamuso had a great tip, saying learn from the locals.

As for working at English Unlimited, the school has an excellent reputation in the area, and teachers come and go as it suits them. I've been happy to stay there and feel that I've grown as a person, not just from the job, but also even more form the people I've met that I now consider lifelong friends.

If a teacher doesn't feel that they've found a niche, and want to leave before their orginial agreement is over, the director simply asks for proper notice. If you're happy - stay. If not, speak to administration and negociate a graceful exit.

I also don't understand why someone would think that a person needs to shout their position if they have a position of added resposiblity. We are still teachers and do not suddenly become somehow suspicious because a director has asked us to take on more responsibility. I became academic coordinator because a director can't do everything in a busy school, and someone with experience needs to step up and provide support for the teachers.

If you want to teach in Mexico, it's doable but don't think you're going to make as much as a teacher in the orient or the U.S. The lifestyle makes Mexico an ideal choice for me.