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Prof.Gringo

Just wondering...? I mean, we all have a story to tell about a bad experience at a language school or we have at least heard those stories being told. Now, what I want to know is this: Are there any language schools that any of you guys recommend working for? Be it a chain school or an independent business. What are the good points and what are the bad?

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:10 pm Post subject:

I guess the answer so far is... no.

MELEE · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:35 pm Post subject:

Surely not everybody working in Mexico City dislikes there school?

How about asking this weekend at the get together then reporting back???

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

MELEE · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:10 pm Post subject:

MO39 · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:51 pm Post subject:

OK, I'll begin the list with the one school I work for. It's doesn't hold classes in a fixed location, just sends you around the city for business classes at companies and private classes in people's homes. Michael Bond, the owner, still teaches, which I think accounts for his sensitivity to the needs of both teachers and students. His company is called Global Visions Consulting; the email is [email protected] .

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

And another is Continental English Systems (CES). She cuts you a check then and there, without hesitation, on payday. Very good company as well to work for and I work for both Global Vision and CES

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 1:23 am Post subject:

Wall Street Institute pays OK for part-time ($ 6,000 MXN). Work is 5 hours per-day, from 7/8am to 1/2pm or 4pm to 9pm M-F. Plus every other Saturday for 6 hours, 8am-2pm. The pay is a salary and you don�t get docked if you don�t teach a full five hours per day. They will get you a FM-3 and pay for it. You can apply with either a degree OR a TEFL cert. They also hire non-natives with a native level of fluency. Most classes are pre-planned and very small group size.

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

6,000 per month for 25 hours is terrible pay. Most business english recruiters pay twice that.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 4:31 pm Post subject:

Yeah, it may sound like it. But, is your business school going to get you a FM-3 and pay for it? What about vacations? Holidays? When your students go on vacation, take a break, or have more important things to do besides English? What about traveling hours and hours all over the city to give a 1-2 hour long class?

I'm not saying Wall Street is the best paying school in town. But I didn't mind putting in maybe 18 hours a week out of that 25 hours and getting a salary I could depend on. Also, the WSI I worked at was only 10 mins from my house. Most of the business English classes are an hour or more away from me, depending on traffic. WSI is a good place to start teaching or to have a low stress job. The hours also allow you to have a second job.

geaaronson, do you have a website or phone # for CES?

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

Phil K

I feel the same way about the FM3 as you do. I did it on my own, but yes it was a traumatic experience the first time as I had made some colossal errors in apostilling my degree. That`s another story.

For someone who has done the long form of the US IRS tax return paperwork for over 20 years, the FM3 process was really a cinch, other than that it did take 8 trips to the immigration center, 6 for the next year`s renewal.

I have been surprised by how many people are loath to even consider doing an FM3 by themselves. I was at an office party the other week and spoke with two Americans who had Mexican lawyers do their FM3s for them! I suspect that those who conveniently take advantage of a school doing their fm3s are more appreciative of the fact that they are not doing the paperwork themselves than that they are not paying for it. I could be wrong.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:33 pm Post subject:

FYI, I have done the FM-3 paperwork by myself. Was it fun? No way. Could I do it without a lawyer? Of course I could. Does that mean that everyone that uses a lawyer is a dupe? Of course not. If you have done the IRS long form for over 20 years, good for you.

Dealing with INM and doing the FM-2/3 paperwork is not a cake walk. Especially if you don't speak much Spanish or you are involved in some area or activity that you�re not sure how to go about the paperwork. If there�s one thing we have seen on this forum is that no two INM offices seem to be alike. What is quick and easy in one office is a living hell in another.

I can spend my money out of pocket for a FM-3, but a decent school should pay for that. Or at least reimburse me after six months or a year.

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

Prof Gringo wrote:

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

That's true. When I taught in Huatulco, the local office gave the school I taught at far more hassles and red tape than the other schools in the region. A previous jefa had had some run-ins with immigration, and they held a grudge over it for about three years after she left.