Job Discussion Forums

hassan731 · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 6

Hey everyone,

This is my first post on Dave's ESL cafe forum, and I have a lot of questions.
I am a non-native English speaker from Morocco, currently attending college in the US. Actually, an Ivy-league school, which is sweet.
I am contemplating getting a job in the EFL field and I don't wanna start in my home country, it's actually easier for me to get a job abroad than in Morocco.
I'm majoring in Education, which might be a plus. I will also get a TEFL/TESL certificate after I graduate this coming May.
My English is Good ( I don't sound like a foreign student at all, people can hardly believe that I'm from Morocco).
But when it comes to experience, I have 2 semesters as a French TA which is pretty much irrelevant experience.
Well, I started researching Schools that provide TEFL certificates and came across ITTO in Guadalajara. As they guarantee a job upon completion of their program, I contacted them and asked about my chances as I am not a native speaker and they said it's not a problem at all.
As they also ask their students to enter Mexico as tourists, I thought I might have a problem getting a work permit because of my Passport, they assured me it won't be hard to get that as soon as I get a Job offer.
I will certainly not be picky if I get a job offer as I know it will help me build my experience, I'm thinking of going back to Morocco after getting 3 or more years of teaching experience.
But I'm wondering still, will it be worth spending all that money and time to do this?

I wanna be completely sure about this adventure.
Please advise,

Thanks,

Hassan

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

hassan731 · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 6

Thanks for your reply man,

The thing is, it's easier for me to get a tourist visa from the US. so that's not gonna be a problem really.

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

hassan wrote:

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

reddevil79 · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 2:56 pm Post subject:

Hey Hassan,

I would search the forum and get all the information you can on ITTO before deciding to go with them. They make bold claims but don't always deliver.

Even if you're not too fussed about your first job, still be picky as you don't want to be taken advantage of.

Good luck Very Happy

MELEE · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 3:56 pm Post subject:

Please please check with the nearest Mexican Consulate in the US. (they all have webpages and some have toll free phone numbers)

I know that in 2002, Turkish citizens could not be issued a tourist visa for Mexico from inside the US--they had to return to Turkey in order to be issued a visa. I would not be surprised if there were similiar restrictions for other countries in the region. It seems it was part of some deal Mexico made with the US in hope of getting the temporary worker visas for Mexicans set up--which fell through. Sad

We could all speculate about many things, only the Mexican government can tell you something approaching the truth.

hassan731 · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 6

thanks guys for all your info. I really appreciate it...
I don't think I will have a problem getting a tourist visa from here.. I checked with the consulate in Detroit coz it's the closest one to where I live - Columbus, OH.
About ITTO, if it does not deliver as you say, are there any other alternatives? taking into consideration that I have no Experience and not even a native speaker?

Thanks

reddevil79 · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:15 pm Post subject:

There a few other options in Mexico, including some CELTA courses. I think there some courses in the Playa del Carmen and Chiapas, but if you do a search on this forum, you will no doubt get information you need.

reddevil79 · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:36 pm Post subject:

Hassan, I didn't want to put you off ITTO altogether; all kinds of opinions have been expressed about the institution. Some have had great experiences, others have been quite angry at the lack of professioanlism.

They do seem to have a high turnover of staff at the moment, which is always difficult. It might just be that if you decide to go with them, you will fall on a wondeful class and great trainer and have a valuable experience. On the other hand..... Confused

I would say just do all the research you can on the courses offered here and then choose which you feel is best for you.

thelmadatter · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:22 pm Post subject: degree in Education

Why does he need a ITTO or similar certificate if he is getting a degree in Education? BTW, is your degree in teaching anything specific?

hassan731 · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 6

I think I will need a TEFL/TESOL certificate because my concentration is French. So the certificate will come in handy.

thelmadatter · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:32 pm Post subject: french

The certificate certainly couldnt hurt but dont discount that you can teach French as well as English. My school teaches both, granted English is required as French is only availible to those who have reached a certain score in English.

Dont sell yourself short. Are you a native French speaker?

hassan731 · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 6

I been speaking it for a long time, since I was 4 years old. I can certainly say I'm a native speaker of French, plus Arabic is my real native language.

reddevil79 · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:40 pm Post subject:

Another thought, your French skills might be in demand wherever you decide to go. I've been offered silly money in the past to teach French privately, as there aren't that many French speakers in Mexico.