Job Discussion Forums

JeffVH · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 8

Hi, I got offered a position at the Berlitz school in San Luis Potosi. Does anyone have any experience there? Or any insights into the area? From what I read, it seems to be a really nice place in Mexico. Any help is greatly appreciated!

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

I've met a few teachers that have worked there. Most seem to last up to a year before they get sick of it. Berlitz require your exclusivity in SLP so you can't work for another school or teach privates. I've never heard anyone say, 'Berlitz SLP is a great place to work'.

SLP is fairly nice, safe - you can see the city in about a day. Depending on what you're into there might not be enough to hold your interest here but if you're looking for a quiet colonial town then this is the place.

JeffVH · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 8

Thank you sir!

canadiense · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 13 Location: Mexico/Canada

Congrats on the job!
SLP is a great place to live and work. The people are friendly and the weather is the best. It's hot for a couple of weeks in May and cold (with sunny days) for a few weeks in January. Other than that, the weather is dry with sunny days, and refreshing nights.
You can find whatever lifestyle you want in SLP, if you look for it. There are many traditions and cultural events to enjoy. The colonial center of the city has not been commercialized, but has some amazing history and architecture. There are lots of parties and discos, if that's what you want in your time off.
The ESL students are generally very studious and take their studies seriously, but sometimes you will find a more laid back attitude to schedules than north of the border (they might arrive late, but you shouldn't).
I taught in SLP for 4 1/2 years and would go back in a minute, if circumstances permitted. Have a great time in SLP!

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:16 pm Post subject:

SLP is a boring town with little to see or do. About a week there and you will know what I mean. Berlitz is run by some dictator types that promise you a lot and give you squat. If you aren't a favorite son, you're have a hard time of it as you don't get the hours they promised and you can't work somewhere else cause they'll fire you from Berlitz. I also like how they trust their teachers so much that they have an audio system to listen in (eavesdrop) on you while given class.

Unless you have a compelling reason to choose SLP and Berlitz, I'd move on to another town. There are lots of jobs in Mexico. Most (more than 99%) never advertise on Dave's because they have never heard of it or they usually recruit Mexican English teachers. You will be amazed once you are in Mexico and start calling and going to schools by the number and variety of jobs and schools from which to choose from. It can be OK to have a job lined up, just realise that you will find better options once you are in Mexico. Schools here rarely hire sight unseen and the ones that do are usually desperate, shady, crooked, or just bad places to work for or located in places that people would never go to if they knew what they were getting themselves into.

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

JeffVH · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 8

Hmmmmmm, coming to Mexico to live, while not having a job lined up feels sketchy to me. Is it possible to get a good job before I go down? And as for Berlitz, I might as well go through with the interview and see what I can gather from that. Thanks for your help!

MO39 · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject:

JeffVH · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 8

The thing I'm afraid is that I'm not going to get a job though. I'm only 20 and as far as education goes, I have my high school diploma and my TESOL certification.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:34 pm Post subject:

To the OP. Don't worry. You will get a job somewhere. It might not be the best right off the bat, but if you stay here a while you'll get better job offers. A HS diploma and a TEFL are the minimum requirements. Plus you'll a native speaker and that goes a long way here. Probably being isn't much of a hindrance. At least you got youth, enthusiasm and energy on your side (hopefully). What you lack in experience you can make up for in other ares.

Mexico is wide open for teaching English. It's the one job that's always hiring. Forget about Berlitz.

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

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

That would be a good question for a poll. How many people had a job lined up before they came to Mexico? For me the answer is no, I didn't have a job lined up before arriving in Mexico.

canadiense · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 13 Location: Mexico/Canada

When I arrived in San Luis I did have a job offer. Since you do need a work permit to teach English in Mexico, the office at the school walked eah teacher through the work permit process after we had met and confirmed the job.
I'm just as sure that you can arrange some work once you arrive, but you will probably need to have your credentials verified at Dept of Foreign Affairs verified at the Mexican consulate before you go, if you are coming from Canada. Other countries require an apostille of your credentials. You must have something that includes English on the certificate, so a TEFL certificate is a minimum and accepted by Migracion.
Keep in mind that the best places hire teachers well in advance, so if you want one of those jobs, you need money to hold you until you get paid.

Chancellor · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:23 pm Post subject:

Any updates since 2008? I received an e-mail from Berlitz asking if I was interested in SLP.

Enchilada Potosina · Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 344 Location: Mexico