Job Discussion Forums

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

Got divorced? I am sorry to hear that, Guy. Hope things are going ok for you.

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

To my fellow Californian... go to Mexico.

If you're at all concerned about stepping away from what's familiar and you're from Los Angeles... Mexico will never feel all that foreign to you. I get a bigger case of culture shock in Texas than I do in Mexico.

If you want something a little less stressful or are interested in getting a credential (which will allow you to teach outside of the world of language schools), you could consider the SDSU multi subject credential program that spends some time in Queretaro.

http://coe.sdsu.edu/bcladmx/

If you're going because of rain forests or volcanoes or beaches... Mexico has all of those things... they're just a bit more spread out. And everyone else has already touched on these... but Mexico just has so much more in terms of culture. (Could be because there's 25 Mexicans for every Tico...)

MELEE · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject:

I love Mexico, LOVE it!

But I've also been to Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a great first-time-to-live-in-latin-america country. John is right that is it is all right there within stricking distance. But he's wrong that Mexico doesn't have Afro-carribean culture. Check out the Costa Chica!! Laughing

I'm not sure what the job situation is like in Costa Rica, but actually for newbies, I usually suggest Northern Asia (Japan, Korea, Taiwan) where you will find more schools that don't expect you to know how to do anything for yourself and will walk you through all the processes. In Latin America you are more often on your own to sink or swim.

John Hall · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 5:00 pm Post subject:

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

John Hall · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:06 pm Post subject:

One thing that turned me off Mexico was all the garbage scattered everywhere (except in the Yucatan), and the disgusting stink of Mexico City. Costa Rica's garbage problem is mild in comparison, and the air is pretty clean, especially since the country made yearly vehicle inspections mandatory a few years ago. I'll take a clean healthy environment any day over the industrial chemical/sewage/automobile exhaust smell of Mexico City smog. Also, I can drink my tap water.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Ooh, how you wound Chilango pride! The air isn't all that bad anymore...been a lot of progress since you've last been through I imagine. If you're from LA or Pittsburgh, you'd enjoy the cleaner air here...well, not much of a badge of honour there. Wink

logicpocket · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 18

I myself am headed for Costa Rica, but I remain quite intrigued by Mexico and have an open-ended plan to go there at some point.

As far as the arts and culture people speak of in Mexico, where is all of that at guys? I'm talking casual music venues, galleries of contemporary visual art, parties, good bars/restaurants and that sort of youthfully-minded fun stuff. Smile

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

I would go where the big universities are.

Mexico City, Puebla, Guadalajara, Oaxaca I would guess.

Queretaro seemed to have that kind of culture about it...

If you get bored and don't mind paying $1000 US a month to have a place to live, Monterey or Santa Cruz (California) might suit you just fine... and then Watsonville and Salinas are just a bit away and you're in Mexico... practically.

junkyak · Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 24 Location: LA Cali

Ok I think ive made up my mind to go to Mexico. Seems like alot more opportunity and variety there. Still not sure what city though.

As far as getting a tefl cert, is there an advantage to doing it there(mexico)?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Have you been to Mexico before? An exploratory trip is always good if you have the time and money.

There are advantages to taking a TEFL course abroad. It is often cheaper than taking one back home. You also work directly with the same students you'll later teach (Mexicans here, Ticos in Costa Rica) in a course practicum.

You mentioned Guadalajara...there is a TEFL course provider there in ITTO. There are also several others around the country. Search them out on the Mexico forum.

junkyak · Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 24 Location: LA Cali

MELEE · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 4:29 pm Post subject:

Choose a course based on the content and the quality of education you will recieve, not on job placement promises--which is all they ever are anyways.

junkyak · Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 24 Location: LA Cali

MELEE · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:36 pm Post subject:

Well considering it was in 1995 it's hardly relevant now.

But if you want to know my opinion, I think you should go with the SIT TESOL course, either in Costa Rica, or in Mexico. (Or how about Quito, then you can tell us what Justin looks like!)