Job Discussion Forums

shanewarne · Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 146

Hi im new here...... just want to know does one have to be born in a native english speaking country to teach in mexico? As i'm from Denmark however i have lived almost my entire life in the UK so of course i speak perfect english. thanks Smile

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

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

If your English is truly indistinguishable from that of a native speaker you should have no difficulties finding teaching work in Mexico.

shanewarne · Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 146

Thanks for the replies, well i speak the queens english so there shouldnt be any issues.

Oreen Scott · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 179 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico

Non-native speakers certainly can teach English.

Just because someone can speak English doesn't mean they can teach it.

reddevil79 · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:47 pm Post subject:

Err, I think Shaney was asking more about the fact that he was Danish, he didn't mention anything of his qualifications. For all we know, he could have a first class degree, Masters in English, DELTA...

We hired a Dutch national at my last school, as she was one of the best, hardest working and most popular teachers we had. There might be the odd bit of discrimination from some schools (I've seen some ads wanting American nationals only), but then you probably wouldn't want to work in those schools anyway.

I think it's great education for the students here to see teachers from countries other than the usual ones (USA, UK, Canada...), English is a truely global language after all.

And anyone who has Shane Warne as their pic is a worth a look in my book Wink

shanewarne · Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 146

No Moss · Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 1995 Location: Thailand

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

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

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

Oreen Scott · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 179 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico

Post deleted

sayanything · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 12

I don't think it's necessary to present your whole cv before asking a simple question that DOESN'T relate to qualifications at all.
As for your question, Shane, in the school i'm working for (a reputable and large company) we have several non-native teachers.

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

There are a lot of places here where English is taught by Mexicans. Obviously, English is not their first language. To get the better pay/place, it helps to be a native of the language, but is not always neccessary or better.

Qualifications also vary, between simply being a native, to having earned a certificate, a degree, what not. I am a certified teacher from Ontario, but my grammar knowledge lacks compared to many who are certified with TESL and DELTA and CELTA and whatever else is out there, as well as those who "simply" speak the language, yet are very knowledgable about the grammar.

To be able to teach, has to do with knowledge, personality, determination, and most importantly the ability to keep learning, and be flexible.

Qualifications don�t make a good teacher (but they certainly improve one�s ability)...hence why in Ontario the teacher testing was removed. Writing a test, getting straight A�s does not mean that one can stand in front of a group of people and edudate them.

thelmadatter · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:33 pm Post subject: teach in Mexico

So the answer... after all of that.. is that you should have no problems... I would add that if you carry a UK passport, then where you were born wont matter at all.