Job Discussion Forums

[eclectic]

If I just arrive in a city of my choice lets say Manzanillo, get an apartment (Ive heard one can be got for 100 US a month!!!), put an ad in the local paper/hand out flyers, etc.... my question is: WHAT ARE THE CHANCES as an American that I could get what I consider the minimum to survive, about $600 US per month teaching like that privately? Is it tough to get 15 students a week for 1 hour each on a regular basis? Also, what are the chances I will be caught by the authorities working illegally?

[El Gallo]

Are you trying to get 15 students in one class or 15 students spread out among work hours? I teach private classes to about 13 total students and make well over $900 USD per month but I have classes six or seven hours a day and three hours on Saturdays. My students are small groups or professionals. It took me about two years to build up my clientele and I slaved in private schools first. The big problem with private students in Mexico is them quitting and/or not paying. You need a contract with each student or group and you need to be paid two weeks in advance for each student. Otherwise, students will just quit without notice and without paying you. Mexicans don't like to say no directly so they will tell you they need to take a break for a week or two and then will call you back. I have learned that this means that they quit. You must apply for an independent FM-3 and pay your taxes (you will need a "contador" to set this up for you). If you advertise in the paper, there is a good chance "la migra" will check you out. The penalties for working illegally are heavy including large fines and possible deportation.