Job Discussion Forums

Johnny C · Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Providence, RI

I posted a week ago, and now I'm back with a new question:

ITTO guarantees job placement in one of your top 5 location choices. I am going to Guadalajara because I want to live there, and that is my first concern. They cannot guarantee that I will be placed in Guadalajara.

So, does anyone have any information about job opportunity in Guadalajara, or advice about this situation? If I go, and am not placed by ITTO in the city, how difficult will it be to find my own job?

Thank you so much!

sarliz · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Jalisco

Hey Johnny-
I just finished the ITTO course and it seems to me like you�ll have no problem getting a job in GDL. The school that ITTO partners with hired 4 people out of my class, and they would have taken more if people wanted to stay here. I think a few other people are getting different jobs around GDL, too. ITTO doesn�t like to guarantee anything in writing, but if you�re pesky and persistent, you�ll probably get your way.

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

Lots of people were placed in Guad from my course 18 months ago also. Basically be aware that you can be picky and ask for something better than the first offer they give you. Also keep in mind that they guarantee jobs, not necessarily good ones. So use your judgement and check things out for yourself. Make sure that you're happy with whatever you get. Oh, and don't expect to get the top paying jobs after ITTO unless you have extraordinary qualifications. Be realistic.

Good luck.

vooderyonder · Joined: 07 Sep 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Mexico

I don�t have extrordinary qualifications. When you say not neccesarily good jobs what do you mean?

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

Sorry, extraordinary was maybe not the right word. I meant that someone with a bachelor degree, tefl and no experience can't expect to get a plum university job unless you get lucky. If you have a masters or some tefl teaching experience you can ask for better pay or hours at a better school.

vooderyonder · Joined: 07 Sep 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Mexico

ok, thank you. So I can expect to work only at language schools? Does anyone know which schools are better in Morelia? Or Mexico City?

Laurel7 · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 13

Hello Sarliz, how did you like the ITTO course in Guadalajara? I am considering taking this one. Would you reccomend it? Thanks.

Laurel7 · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 13

Hi hlamb, how did you like the ITTO course in Guadalajara? Need some advise from some of you who've been there and done that....

Do you like your location? Thanks for the reply.

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

I have found all of my jobs in Mexico on my own, because I wasn't satisfied with the ones that ITTO found for me. I am very happy with my current job in Cuernavaca and will be here for a while.

I think ITTO gave me a good grounding on teaching methods and tips on how to teach various grammar points. For me, it was useful to be observed in front of a class of Mexican students, because I received honest feedback that helped me to improve. Most importantly, I became friends with a number of people from different backgrounds and have kept in touch with some, which is a good support network while teaching here.

But you can't expect a one month course to teach you a lot. There's limited time and everyone has such different levels of experience that at times it could be a bit boring for those of us with more interest in teaching. A few just seemed to be there for fun-though it seemed like expensive fun to me!

If you want more info, let me know.