Job Discussion Forums

[Polly0607]

Yes, I�ve noticed that. There is a lot more backstabbing here and underhanded behaviour.

I�m not taking it personally, but these antics are really hurting the quality of the education here. I guess it just wasn�t what I thought it was going to be. I expected a higher level of professionalism from a school with an international reputation.

[Samantha]

That's rough Freddy. Welcome to Mexico. It's more widespread than you think. I believe that the national English teachers see foreigners as some sort of threat, especially in areas predominently hiring Mexicans to teach English. Such is the case in my area where they fiercely protect their jobs. Being married to a Mexican I have had fewer problems and the national English teachers would knock on my classroom door to ask grammar, spelling and other assorted questions that may have come up. I have seen a teacher from England get fired for being "too strict" (the talking in class issue), a teacher from the USA fired for bringing a surfboard to the school, another teacher from the USA fired for not allowing students into the classroom after the lesson had started AND no cell phones in class, etc. Foreign teachers coming here thinking they are doing Mexican students a big favor are in for a bit of reality check when the rubber hits the road in some of the elite school systems.

[gordogringo]

For once in a long time I am going to agree with Samantha.The main reason,I believe,that other schools don't step out and hire more international teachers is that they don't want to upset relatives working for them.In any school it does help if you have a parent that you have a good repore with and is a power parent.One that is respected by the other parents,etc.In the case of the kids business,anyway.With adults,just do the best you can.I think I will keep my natives only policy for teachers for now.Am working on a new project in Vera Cruz.Maybe try hiring a few locals for advanced learners classes.And polly,please do not abandon the industry because of a bad experience in one country.Consider China,Japan and Taiwan where the money is good and native speakers are valued much more culturally.PM me for school recommendations if you need it.Buenos suerte!

[MELEE]

If I'm not mistaken, Polly is married to a Mexican national, so other countries are not as attractive in Mexico. I suggest Polly goes into the private lessons buisness as well as looking very carefully at other schools in her area, its not all the same everywhere, there is a niche out there waiting for you to find it Polly.

[Polly0607]

Yes, you are right, MELEE. I have been married to a Mexican for ten years now. I have to stay in Mexico and more specifically Toluca.

Luckily, there is a good market here for private classes in the companies around Toluca.

I am going to take my time and consider all my options in the new year.

Thanks for the moral support!

[MELEE]

Getting back to the oringinal topic.

If there is anyone out there who wants to read and find out more about the topic rather than just say "so and so said X was best and who and I to say differently." I stubbled across this when looking for something else just now.

http://www.kyoto-su.ac.jp/information/tesl-ej/ej37/f1.html

[Polly0607]

Thanks for the link, MELEE. When you read the opinions, you can really see how many different types of people are teaching English. I have seen everything from high school graduates with no experience to PhD candidates dedicated to the profession. That is the problem, there are no standards.

Personally, I don�t care whether a person is a native speaker or not, but they should have an undergraduate degree and an ESL certificate. When it comes to their proficiency, accents don't matter, but if the teacher makes constant grammatical and pronunciation mistakes, the students will suffer. It is painfully hard to erase mistakes once they are �fossilized� in the brain.

[delacosta]

My uni also has a rather strange policy of limiting english teaching to native speakers only. A few years ago we had a woman come by, a Mexican doctoral canditate who had done lots of research and worked at a uni in California. She had experience in running a language department as well if I recall. Oh yes and her Master's was from somewhere in the States. SHe was of course completely fluent and someone passionately dedicated to teaching language. An ideal candidate for a university with a up and starting ESL deprtment, like us. However, her first language wasn't English so the Rector didn't give His permission to hire her (capitals on purpose for those that get it).
More strange but true stories from the Oaxacan education system...

[MikeySaid]