Job Discussion Forums

Thomcat · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:35 pm Post subject: What to do?????

I have been posting here quite a bit lately, and appreciate all the help!

My current dilemma has to do with job offers. I have had about 5 interviews so far. All of them have resulted in offers. Unfortunately, the pay is not what I expected. I have been offered only part-time positions earning anywhere from 2000 - 6000 pesos a month. I am really considering taking a 6000 month offer, but only because it has been the best I have been offered. The hourly wage is good, but not enough hours. That has been the norm though. I was hoping to work about 30 hrs or so and earn about 8000 - 10,000 pesos. I have a little experience and I recently obtained my TEFL certificate. And, I am currently in Mexico. Am I being unrealistic?

I am thinking about taking this job that pays approx. 6000 pesos a month and trying to give private lessons on the side. I'm not looking to rich or anything. I just want to make enough to get by modestly and be able to travel occaisonally, without working 50 hrs a week. I hate to pass another job offer up, but do not want to settle. Any thoughts or suggestions would be most welcome.

Thanks!!!

sweeney66 · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 147 Location: "home"

I'd say, it's a start. A number of teachers I know juggle two or three part time jobs and private lessons. The good thing is that other teachers can probably help you find more work, especially at this time of year. It's good to start making connections.

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

I'm curious to know how much teaching experience you have prior to these offers. I always found that if you have a bit of experience, it wasn't too difficult to find full-time teaching work at 9000+ a month.

sweeney66 · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 147 Location: "home"

Um,... I think he said that the work he's being offered is part-time.
At the place I work I started part-time, and was given lots of substitutions, conversation clubs etc., while they decided if they wanted to give me more hours, that is, while they judged my teaching abilities. It turned into a good thing for me, and I frequently turn down other offers so as not to be over-booked.
To the OP: The important thing is, do you like them? Is the student population, teaching program, schedule, travel time, etc., to your liking? If so , I say go for it.

Thomcat · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:27 pm Post subject:

I have little teaching experience. I have about 6-8 months as a volunteer ESL teacher and I have one year in the public school system in the U.S. working as a Educational Assistant where some of my daily responsibilities included with individual and groups of ELL students.

THe hours for the job I'm thinking about are not perfect, but they are common for business classes 7-8 and then in the afternoon. I would rather work in a language institute, but haven't had much luck, yet. I would just hate to turn down this job and not end up with better. Are language schools always hiring?

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

$6000 - $7000 at the most is the glass ceiling as far as language schools go. You could make more in the high school system and especially at a uni. Language schools aren't all bad though. They are great places to make contacts, to get into companies, get private students and generally make yourself known - especially if you're in a small city.

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

Yeah, I was thinking if you want a higher-salaried position, why are you applying to language schools?
Of course, you might prefer the more open hours and the chance to do private lessons on the side. I think if you are a good instructor and well-liked, it's not too difficult in urban areas to obtain those extra side-jobs.

J Sevigny · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 161

I disagree that 6,000 or 7,000 is the glass ceiling at Language Schools.

It's par for the course to earn 10,000-12,000 at ICI in Guadalajara. 10,000 doing executive classes should be easy in Mexico City. In Monterrey I was earning 9,500.

This may be a question of geography, Thom. 6,000 is not enough to live on in most large Mexican cities unless you're very frugal, share an apartment, etc. On the other hand, if you're out in Jerez, Zacatecas, you might do OK.

You may as well accept the 6,000 peso a month job for now if it's your only offer. You can certainly make contacts and put together enough private classes to up your salary a few thousand pesos a month.

My other question is this: have you tried the private universities?

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

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

Location does make a difference. OP, where are you?

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject:

You can make more. My first job at a language school paid me about $8,800 pesos per month. I was paid in cash, $2,200 pesos every Saturday. I got that job by cold calling a school. I went and interviewed on a Thursday, trained Friday and Saturday. I started working on Monday. I worked 9am-7pm M-F, with a 2 hour break for lunch.

Keep looking for a better job.

MO39 · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:12 pm Post subject:

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject:

MO39 · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 11:05 pm Post subject:

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