Job Discussion Forums

doublek · Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 11

I'm working at one of the colegios here as an elementary English teacher, and I've been here for two months. I'm pretty sure that most of the colegios have bilingual programs so finding a job down here shouldn't be too hard. I guess you'd just have to wait awhile if you don't want to work in a language school. Ensenada is amazing though! I love it down here. I'm still in shock of this whole beach weather in October thing (I was in Canada for 5 years). Hussong's is also a big advantage to being here Very Happy

Belmont · Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:27 am Post subject:

Could you tell me what level "colegio" would be? I'm translating it as "college" or post secondary. Am I right?

I would rather not work in a private language school, so this sounds like something I'd like to pursue. Could you tell me about your housing? Ensenada doesn't seem too cheap to me because it's a tourist town. Yet there must be something affordable out of the downtown area.

Yes, it's still very warm along this part of the coast. I was roasting on the playground today with my kids during P.E. I cracked them up with my Mohammed Ali jump-roping demonstration.

MO39 · Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:42 am Post subject:

I believe that a "colegio" is almost always a private school, usually at the high school level. It is not the same as "college".

Belmont · Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 3:39 am Post subject:

doublek · Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 11

Yeah, the colegios are private schools, but they can be any age level. I've seen four or five here and they all start at the elementary level, if not younger. Housing here isn't too bad, if you don't live downtown. The school is paying for my apartment, but I can find out from some friends what they're paying every month.

Belmont · Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:13 pm Post subject:

Breanne · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 7

doublek · Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 11

The average for housing here seems to be $400 a month. That's for a nice apartment that's not downtown. I think mine is a little lower, but like I said, the school pays for it, so I'm not too sure about that. The bills here are always really low though! My workload is actually not too bad...I get to school at 7:30 and leave at 2:30. There's a half hour break for lunch, and except for Mondays, I have at least one 40 minute break a day.
In terms of requirements, all of the English teachers at my school have degrees. Only two have TEFL certificates. One girl has a degree in outdoor recreation and administration, and this is her first time teaching. If what you have isn't enough, what you could try doing is applying for a teacher's aide position. If all else fails, there's a bunch of coffee shops that need English speakers!
Where in Canada are you from? I was in Quebec for 5 years! I miss poutine so much...

Belmont · Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 1:31 pm Post subject:

doublek · Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 11

Hahaha, you should have heard some of the questions I had for the school before I started...they must have thought I was nuts. Anyway! Just so you know, everything I'm about to say is only for my school...I don't know about every other school in the city.
They do hire men, but not for preschool and kindergarten positions. The only male that even works with the younger age groups is the gym teacher. I get paid 7600 pesos a month (about $760 US). It doesn't sound like a lot, but I've been more than fine so far. The class sizes kind of surprised me, at least for a private school. My fourth grade class has only 16 kids, but my 2nd grade class has 25 kids. If you go into preschool and kindergarten, there can be 30 kids in one class. With discipline issues, the best way to put it is that they are definitely private school kids, and sometimes the language barrier is a huge problem. That being said, being bilingual would help, but 3 out of the 5 English teachers at the school barely speak any Spanish. It's not that big of a deal. There's a ton of Spanish language schools around here if you feel like you really need it. You should definitely come down here though! I've been having so much fun!

Belmont · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:25 am Post subject:

Gringo Greg · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:47 am Post subject: Well...

I would disagree that there are more opportunities in the south. I don't know about Baja, but in places like Monterrey, Torreon, Chihuahua and Hermosillo, there are great opportunities for teachers. It may not be as "Mexican" as little Oaxaca villages, but the wages are good and so are the conditions.

cangringo · Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 327 Location: Vancouver, Canada

I see that this topic hasn�t been posted to in a while but in case anyone is looking for info on Southern Baja, I am now living in La Paz.

It�s fantastic here - beautiful, the people are really friendly and while it may seem like everyone on the Baja speaks english, it�s not true. There are a lot of people that speak a little bit. Anyway once we get all our various registrations out of the way we are going to be doing classes at some of the hotels here. Hubby is already working at the prepa and there are a lot of individuals that want classes.

We don�t have internet at home right now which is an inconvience but we love it.

Oh and Monterrey - I have to warn anyone wishing to go there that the immigration office is very unfriendly and no one there will help you figure out what you need to do. At least that is our experience and the experience of a few others. The office here is the opposite, it�s very small and they are friendly and will try to help you get your papers together. Also the wages are not that good unless you are lucky and find a little school that pays well like we did or do your own private classes.

We�d love to meet up with anyone else working down here as well. Very Happy