|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
GirlfromCanada
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Toronto, Canada
|
 Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:19 pm Post subject: Recommendations for NEW TEACHERS |
 |
|
Please answer the following:
1. What is the best way to land a GOOD JOB for new teachers and should this be done before leaving Canada? What constitutes a good job for a newbie?
2. Best school to work for as a newbie: University, public school or private language school?
3. I've been told that I could have 5 different classes per day. How do I prepare for this as a new teacher with limited experience, resources and without knowing in advance who I'm teaching (ages, abilities, interests etc...). As a comparison, a Canadian High school teacher I know has her lessons planned up to February (she's based in Ontario, knows the curriculum, etc...).
4. I've been reading bad things about Teacher MexConnect. What would you recommend as far as recruiters go (this may also be related to question one above).
THANK YOU  |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 7:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'll take a crack at it...
| Quote: |
| 1. What is the best way to land a GOOD JOB for new teachers and should this be done before leaving Canada? What constitutes a good job for a newbie? |
It's often hard to do before coming. Some of the top, top schools will send recruiters up north to pick up teachers, but the vast majority don't. The best you can do is to make oodles of contacts before you come, and then show up to make your interviews. Very very few schools will give you a job over the phone or internet. They will make promises and they will give you maybes, but until you're on the doorstep, they are unlikely to give you the 'welcome aboard.'
I don't think you've mentioned your background or qualifications...this will make a difference too. The better your qualfications, the eaiser it is for you hook a serious job offer from afar. If this is your first time, and you're coming out of a TEFL type course in Canada, check with the course provider. They should have contacts around the world to give you a direct line to employment. In that case, double check whatever they give you for contacts...just to be sure.
| Quote: |
| 2. Best school to work for as a newbie: University, public school or private language school? |
Depends on your long term goals...uni work is career stuff, and experience here will be valuable if you go back home to continue teaching. Language schools are generally entry level and may eventually get you to uni work here or at home, if you continue your studies alongside. Public school is mostly a backwards mess in Mexico, though others may have better experience with that, as mine is only secondhand. I would imagine public school work here is also good taking the long-view on career.
If you're talking pay, then it depends more on the city and state than the type. You'll find high and low paying unis and language schools. I think you'd not find very high pay in public schools. Again, others should comment.
| Quote: |
| 3. I've been told that I could have 5 different classes per day. How do I prepare for this as a new teacher with limited experience, resources and without knowing in advance who I'm teaching (ages, abilities, interests etc...). As a comparison, a Canadian High school teacher I know has her lessons planned up to February (she's based in Ontario, knows the curriculum, etc...). |
Let the university folk and public school teachers answer from their experience. In language schools, either in the school or teaching offsite company classes, you generally work within a program or series that has much of the planning done for you. At first, it is difficult to juggle, but you do get used to it. Much classwork is 'communicative' meaning your role is one of a guide rather than dictator. If you're good with people, can lead a group, and have good assessment skills on the fly, you'll do fine with that on minimal planning.
| Quote: |
| 4. I've been reading bad things about Teacher MexConnect. What would you recommend as far as recruiters go (this may also be related to question one above). |
Mexconnect is a placement agency and not a recruiter I believe (just to clarify). All the same above applies when dealing with placement agencies (or recruiters, though I don't know of any in Mexico). Since you pay the placement agency to get you a job, instead of the school paying the recruiter to locate a teacher, you should be able to demand more of them, and continue to demand of them while you're in the job working.
Last edited by Guy Courchesne on Wed Oct 25, 2006 1:05 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
GirlfromCanada
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Toronto, Canada
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks Guy! I'm leaning towards Univeristies although I think working with kids and adults (professional) would also be worthwhile.
I have completed the Oxford Seminars TESL course with the business English component and have a 4 year University degree plus lots of business experience. Teaching wise I've volunteered 2 years (part time) teaching adults math at my local litereacy council.
do you think it's enough to land a good job at a University or in the school system (elementary or highschool)? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| do you think it's enough to land a good job at a University or in the school system (elementary or highschool)? |
Your degree and volunteering will open up some university work for you, as well as some private high schools. I don't think it's enough for elementary school jobs. Your business experience would be useful at private language schools that deal with companies.
I don't think it's enough for the public school system, though I'm not 100% sure. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
GirlfromCanada
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Toronto, Canada
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 1:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks Guy...so I guess the public school system is fairly regimented much like what we have up here in Ontario?
Mikey: did you get my "novel" on Oxford Seminars? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hlamb
Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Posts: 431
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 8:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Guy Courchesne wrote: |
I'll take a crack at it...
| Quote: |
| 1. What is the best way to land a GOOD JOB for new teachers and should this be done before leaving Canada? What constitutes a good job for a newbie? |
It's often hard to do before coming. Some of the top, top schools will send recruiters up north to pick up teachers, but the vast majority don't. The best you can do is to make oodles of contacts before you come, and then show up to make your interviews. Very very few schools will give you a job over the phone or internet. They will make promises and they will give you maybes, but until you're on the doorstep, they are unlikely to give you the 'welcome aboard.' |
I think Guy is right about this in general, from what I've observed and been told here in Mexico.
I have been offered three jobs over the internet in Mexico. The first was offered over email after a personal interview and it didn't work out because someone more experienced walked through the door during the week I was travelling before starting work. The next two jobs were offered over the internet. The first started about two months after we agreed to terms. That employer followed through on every promise he made me, though he was difficult to work for otherwise. In that case I would have been better to see the school first before agreeing to anything. The latest job was offered over the internet and I started within a week. This school has turned out to be excellent in almost every way.
I think if you have a chocie, go in person and check out the school yourself. That way you'll have a better idea if it is a good fit before you start. With my latest job, I've been very lucky but it could have turned out much differently. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Polly0607
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 64
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 6:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My two sisters-in-law work in the public system. What you need is a degree in any area and a friend in the hiring office. There are a lot of politics because being a public school teacher is considered to be good, stable work here.
It doesn't pay much, though. And I have never heard of a foreigner being hired around here.
It also helps if you get involved with the union. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MikeySaid
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 509
Location: Torreon, Mexico
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 7:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Polly0607 wrote: |
It doesn't pay much, though. And I have never heard of a foreigner being hired around here. |
As I understand it, public school teachers are paid pretty meager salaries. You're better off at a private or a uni or even a language school. So it seems, at least. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Polly0607
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 64
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 7:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
One of my sisters-in-law clears about 3,300 every fifteen days, with a Masters and ten years experience.
The other one just started, no Masters and makes around 2,000 pesos every fifteen days.
I live in Toluca, Estado de Mexico and that is probably a very good salary compared with other states. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
