Job Discussion Forums

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

OK, since I'll be heading to DF in a few weeks and would like to try adults first, are there any language schools where I could teach and NOT have to travel around the whole city?

Is it possible to work for Berlitz let's say, and stay in one location where the clients come to you?

Is it possible to make at least 80 pesos and hour working for a language school teaching adults?

I've thought about teaching kids and I'm still considering it, but from what I've been reading on this forum, teaching kids is a hazard to ones health.

Thanks.

MO39 · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:35 pm Post subject:

I suppose you can teach adults without traveling around the city, but you won't make much money per hour. I haven't done this for awhile, so I can't quote you an hourly pay rate. One advantage of teaching this way is that you wouldn't have lots of last-minute cancellations since you'd be teaching groups, and it's unlikely that all the members of one group would cancel on the same day. My experience in the DF in the last few months (since last September) is that when schools are looking for native-speaker teachers, they want you for company classes, which means lots of traveling.

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

Many of the language schools will pay only 30-50 pesos per hour for inhouse classes. I have only come across one school, Kiosk International in Condesa, that paid 100 pesos per hour but they only had two hours of classes in the morning available.

You might think about making up flyers or business cards and handing them around to people in the neighborhood and giving classes out of your apartment.

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

Yeah, it's very hard to find good pay staying put in a language school. You might try Quick Learning...they apparently offer a good salary (not per hour), on full time work.

I've read claims that Harmon Hall pay is over 100 pesos per hour, but I've always doubted that to be true. You could always check there anyway.

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

Sounds like I may need to try a school for kids.

guatetaliana · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:01 am Post subject:

Re: QuickLearning. My husband was offered a job with them and balked when he found out what was involved. The pay is good, but they require about 60 hours per week (7am-12pm and then 4pm-10pm weekdays and something crazy on Saturdays). They reportedly even have a lounge where teachers catch up on sleep between classes. As one of my husband's co-workers joked, it's only for someone who needs to pay child support in the US or pay for a funeral or something! But there should be way better options out there...

MO39 · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:46 am Post subject:

guatetaliana · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:07 am Post subject:

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 2:28 am Post subject:

QL is a joke. Teach kids. The pay is better and you have the weekends off, paid vacations, benefits, and paid holidays. I just had two weeks off and I get May 1st, 2nd, the weekend (3rd, 4th) and the 5th off. Viva la SEP! Very Happy

http://www.sep.gob.mx/wb2/sep1/sep1_Calendario_Escolar_20072008

MO39 · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:16 am Post subject:

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:10 am Post subject:

guatetaliana · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:46 pm Post subject:

I've come to the conclusion that teaching kids probably offers better pay and consecutive hours, but you've got to be highly selective about where you're working because boy did I just get out of a nightmare! I don't think the pay, hours, vacations, and benefits should be the first thing you consider when you look at teaching younger learners. You have to look at your skills, preparation, and patience with obnoxious people of all ages. You also should be very careful about the particular institution. Obviously there are some great ones out there. There are also some ridiculous ones. Just because they have a fancy website, gorgeous new facilities, and great pay doesn't mean the conditions for teachers there are worth what you get. Sad

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

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

To the OP:

And what's wrong with moving around?

If you were to apply to me for a job, I'd turn turn you down instantly if that were your condition! (If you have some medical reason for that, then I apologize).

DF is a big city, but most important businesses are concentrated in a small part of it. Public transportation is ridiculously cheap - although not too luxurious, I concede, (that's why I use a car).

The supply of teachers seems to me to be higher than the demand for classes, therefore it's not a good idea to be too choosy.

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City