Job Discussion Forums

doreenp · Joined: 13 Oct 2003 Posts: 147

I am interested in getting my TEFL certificate in Mexico. I have searched the internet and the three main ones seem to be Via Lingua, ITTO and the Vancouver Language centre. I am open to travelling to any part of Mexico and hope to stay there and get a job. Has anyone attended these or any other schools? I would appreciate any input regarding any schools or if it's better to stay in Canada and travel down after going thru the course up here.

MELEE · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2003 1:48 pm Post subject:

One of the questions you should ask the program is for specifics about who the instructors are, and what their background and experience is. I know a guy who was a "teacher trainer" at the Vancouver Language Centre in Guadalajara. He had a certificate and two years experience and was fine as an EFL teacher, but when I found out he had been teacher other teachers, my first opinion was yikes! Shocked

If I had paid for a course and found out that the teacher was barely more qualified than I would be at the end of the course I'd want my money back. Unless of course I'd paid like ten dollars for the course.

If I ever recieve an application from a Vancouver graduate, I don't think I'd hire them unless they had five years proven experience post course.

The courses in Canada surely cost more as the over head and everything is higher, but if you want to get your money's worth, you might want to choose a place with quality trainers.

doreenp · Joined: 13 Oct 2003 Posts: 147

I agree, I would love to find a school that has 'quality' teachers. that's why i'm asking if anyone has taken the TEFL course at any of the schools in Mexico and what information they could pass on to me about them. I have emailed the schools asking for the teachers credentials and all i get is a general "all of our teachers are experienced and well trained".....

I was thinking that if i was trained in Mexico, that the school would give me better job leads too, but after hearing some past ITTO students, that doesn't seem to be the case.

I would love to hear from anyone about any school any where in Mexico,

thanks
Dee

dduck · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 422 Location: In the middle

Hi Dee,

If you go to Mexico with no experience, you should expect to work very hard, and receive very little pay for your efforts. Qualifications aren't that important for the majority of entry level schools - a little teaching experience would be more valuable.

There are some teachers on the board that migrated to Mexico after spending many years in the US education system. They didn't have too much trouble find some good University jobs that pay, by Mexican standards, very well.

I worked in Mexico for a few months, but it didn't have enough cultural hold to balance out the very poor wages, poor teacher resources, poor support, and dismal quality of life. (BTW, I adored my students.) However, that's just my experience of the place, as a non-American. You may find a good school, but I anticipate you'll have to knock on a few doors 'til you find one you like.

Iain

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

doreenp · Joined: 13 Oct 2003 Posts: 147

Thanks for the thoughts, i guess i should clarify myself and my expectations. . I'm not coming to Mexico with any intentions of getting rich or even making more than a living. As long as i can work and enjoy my work and make enough to live on , I'll be happy. I've travelled many places in my life and have chosen Central America as the place i'd like to spend the next few years.

We all have to start somewhere to gain experience and i'm sure there will be a place for me. I'm interested in settling in (when i find the right place) and learning the culture more deeply and i do believe that my life's experiences should make a difference. Hopefully.

Fortunately I'll be able to take my time and yes, knock on a lot of doors. My tourist time in Mexico was mainly spent on the Pacific coast and the Yucatan area. I'd like to see more of the interior and the Yucatan , we'll see how I feel when I get there. I have heard of people with less experience and no TEFL degree, that have landed 'decent' jobs. I'm sure that we all have a different idea of what 'decent' is.

By the way, I'm 48 and have two fabulous daughters 23, and 20 who are dying for me to move to Mexico so they can visit me (funny how you have to move away so they'll come see you???) one is a teacher in Ontario, who takes students to Europe and Great Britain to get their gr 11 and 12 credits, and one lives on Vancouver island near me. So we're a travelling kindof family and are very used to communicating via the internet . Gotta love this life !!

They think i'm going into my second childhood.............i don't remember ever leaving the first ! Wink

thanks for all the comments
Dee

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Hi Dee,
Just writing to wish you good luck. You will love it and don't worry about the age thing. I have found that while age is not that important here, female teachers definitely get preference and in some schools here, it is the law that you have to be female if you are to work with children.

I was certified while still living in Canada, with the Canadian Global Tesol folks (while the price was still reasonable - not so any more) It was a quick but very useful course for me as it provided me with the credential to work legally in Mexico. One piece of advice from me would be to come with lots of money in the bank as a cushion, because depending what you are able to find, pay is generally low and you will need money to tide you over until you can re-adjust your spending habits. I find things just as costly here as in Canada in many instances.
I went from a great job in Canada making between $25.00 and $30.00 an hour - to a teach English job here that paid me 48 pesos an hour. A bit of a shock. I wouldn't trade it for anything. How did I do it? I went out and got two more jobs at which I worked simultaneously. Yes, if you want to teach in Mexico and have money to make ends meet - be prepared for anything and everything as a possibility. Now that I am established, I can pick and choose my assignments. For instance I am currently tutoring a lawyer who pays me 100 pesos an hour. That won't happen in the beginning. It was a referral. It takes time to become established on your own. Bring money! Suert�. Cool

TexGirl · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 4

I am curious to know how much money would be a decent amount to have in the bank before embarking on a teaching career in Mexico. How much is enough to tide one over until experience is gained and contacts are made?

Thanks,
TG

some waygug-in · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 339

That depends on the individual, and what their expectations are, how long they are planning on staying.

My best guess would be a minimum of US$2,000 + an emergency fund of at least another $1,000 in case you have to leave, you will need money to help you get set up if and when you go home again. The reason I say an "emergency" fund is that you need to have money that you won't use for the everyday "unexpected" things that will arise.

Some may disagree with this, but again, that depends on the individual and what your expectations are. It also depends on where you will be moving to in Mexico, what kind of job you will find, what kind of accomodations you want etc. etc.

Suerte

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

I arrived in Mexico City with about US$300 in 2000. I was coming from further south and this was all I could save.

My first month's rent was a furnished room in an innercity building, it was $850. A torta (sandwich) costs about $12 or less on the street. You can't drink tap water, oh weell, you can in Mexico City but it is so heavily clorinated it will give you a stomach ache, but if you buy the 20 liter bottle for $50 refills are about $20.

You'll need money for bus/metro fares, which will rise in January but $40 a day will get you around from job to job.

You could pick up a job doing Corporate English, ie travelling to companies to teach on site, usually 7:00-9:00ish and if you're lucky in the evenings from 17:00-19:00, in about three days. Pay rates two years ago were $120 an hour and up. Travelling time is not included.

Once you are a little bit settled you can easily find private students, although finding reliable ones is another story.

If you find a school that will sponsor you you will need an FM3 visa, it costs about $1750 plus incidental expenses for documentation that will run another several hundred pesos. If you work illegally you'll need someone who will provide you with "recibos" and you will pay that person about 10% of the value of your pay to cover taxes. Any shady school will help you with that, if you work for them.

My boss lent me the money for my visa, (thanks Darrell) and if you are a decent teacher and have a halfway reasonable boss they will be very keen on keeping you, so it's not like you will be totally alone.

As for "emergency funds" I think that is for the fresh-faced kiddies who have never left home before. It's nice to have money in reserve but if the worse comes to the worst the US is only a US$90 bus ride away.

NB All prices in Mexican pesos unless otherwise stated. Disclaimer. The author is speaking from personal experience and if you should come here and find your case different the author takes no responsibility for this. LOL.

TexGirl · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 4

Thanks for all the responses, guys. I guess I am nervous about making this move as it seems lots of others are also. I'd like to ask another meandering question here:
How would I fare getting a teaching job with the following credentials:
TESL Certification, BA in English, 5 years corporate work in writing and communications.

Also, do people with relatives in Mexico qualify for the FM3 automatically? I seem to remember reading this somewhere.

Thanks again,
TG

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

TexGirl,

My BA's in Media Production, and my experience is in multimedia and communications, but apart from that my quals are similar to yours... For what its worth, I was nervous too, and yet, I'm here and have a good job and a nice home.

Bring as much money as makes you feel comfortable, and give it a go. Unfortunately, trying it is the only way to find out! Wink

Good luck! Smile

Lozwich.

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

cphaslanger · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 13

Back to the original question, because I want to know the answer, too...

Where's a good spot to take a TEFL class in Mexico? My considerations for what I want are: price, quality of teachers, and help with finding a job afterwards...