Job Discussion Forums

PeterDragon · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 50

I'm an American currently teaching in South Korea. When my contract ends, I'd kind of like to switch to teaching somewhere in Latin America. I fully accept that nowhere in Latin America (and practically nowhere in the world) will I be able to save up as much money as I would in SK teaching ESL. But I do want to teach in a country where I can save up something. Without knowing the financial aspects, Mexico also appeals to me because I could drive home on my vacations. (Most of my relatives are in SoCal.)

My questions about saving money in no particular order:

1) I see an extremely wide pay range in the Mexican jobs advertised. What pay should I be looking for if I wanted to save up and send home 200-300 or more USD a month? (Assuming that's even possible.)

2) What's the cost of living like in Mexico? How much does it vary from region to region and city to city?

3) Can I get away with teaching -private lessons without any real risk of deportation/trouble with the labor board/trouble with my primary employer? If so, how plentiful are private lessons?

4) I've seen a few jobs in Mexico City that appear to pay $1000 to $1800 USD. Are these listings for real? If so what's the catch, if any?

I thank anyone who's taken the time to read this post. Any and all answers are appreciated.

corporatehuman · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Mexico City

Sure you can save money. It's like anything else. If you want to save money don't spend money.

That being said you can find good money in Mexico City. Normally 15 dollars an hour to 25. Also you can teach as many private classes you want without fear of not being legal or whatnot.

That being said, in Chiapas everything was very cheap and the pay was lower. But as a result you could still save money. In Mexico City everything is more expensive but the pay is better...so it sort of works out equally.

You can save money though. Not a lot. I imagine maximum maybe 200 dollars a month? maybe some more depending on how frugal you are. Definitely though you'll miss South Korea for this reason alone.

Chris

PeterDragon · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 50

About how much do private lessons pay? Does that also vary from city to city? How much is rent in Mexico City? I notice some employers offer free accommodation. Is it wise to take them up on that offer or is it a much better idea to find my own housing? for that matter, is broadband web access affordable and readily available throughout the country?. Teaching Asian students online is a great way to get in on some of that Pacific Rim pay rate without actually having to be there; got a few friends in the sates who've done that.

P.S. $200 a month is just fine, it's about what I was saving up per month when I worked in the U.S.

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

You can save money here if you try.

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

PeterDragon · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 50

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

I found that when I taught at a state university in Mexico, my living expenses tended to be in the 5000 to 6000 range. After factoring in other incidentals, I managed to save maybe 3000 pesos/300 dollars a month. Of course, about once every six months I'd fly up to North America and spend all those savings, but....

FreddyM · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 180 Location: Mexico

MELEE · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject:

I think Guy new this was coming, I totally disagree with his costs estimates.
In smaller cities, rent over 2000 pesos a month would be luxury accomodation (exculding beach resorts). And in small towns a three course set lunch (the main meal of the day) is rarely over 30 pesos, and can be much less. Certain food items are more expensive but it has to due with where they are produced. When I lived in Michoacan I ate strawberries all the time because they were so cheap, I almost never buy them in Oaxaca because they are too expensive, the opposite was true of jamiaca, In Michoacan I couldn't bring myself to pay that much for it, because it's so cheap in Oaxaca. Obviously, in tourists restaurants in tourists cities, the food is more expensive, but not where the locals eat.

What kind of TEFL cert do you have? That might make a difference. As you've already been told, you're not going to wow the country with your credentials, but you will do okay. It's a lot about being in the right place at the right time in Mexico. And just because your first job isn't the best doesn't mean that you shouldn't take it. During that first year you can make a lot of contacts that can move you into a much better positions the second year.

yaramaz · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject:

Just out of curiosity, I was wondering what a BA and a 240 hour TEFL certification from Canada is worth, combined with about 7 years experience in everything from Primary school to high school to university to language school director...My partner and I are heading back to the Americas in autumn after a million years away and I hope I'm not making a very foolish move by leaving a pretty good job in Turkey. I just really want to be in mexico Smile

PeterDragon · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 50

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

Summer, for a late or mid August start if you're chasing positions in elementary or secondary schools. For language schools, any time of year is fine usually, except right at Christmas or Easter.

CELTA is a good course that many people know and respect.

PeterDragon · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 50