Job Discussion Forums

[cuzzywuz]

Hi folks!

I was very fortunate to have been able to live in Guadalajara back in the 90's for almost 6 years. I learned the language (Spanish). I'm a little rusty now however.

I am interested in returning to live there, but I would like to teach English. What do I need as far as degrees go to do this? Does anyone know of a place in Guadalajara that hires English teachers? I have never taught English before so I'm starting from square one.

I would appreciate any help you people can give me.

Thank You

[cuzzywuz]

I don't understand. Going to China does not answer what I was asking\. What do you mean Fuzzx?

[cc227]

no china necessary. more experience = better job and more money, of course. however, there are tons of schools to teach at in GDL. everything from traveling to business teaching one hour classes to working in language schools. i passed up a better paying traveling job to work at a small school with kids and avoid the hassle of running around the city. just show up and you'll be surprised, i got two offers my first day here.

[john_n_carolina]

[jillford64]

cuzzywuz,

There are plenty of places to teach English in Guadalajara.

If you want to teach legally in Mexico, you will need something to prove that you are qualified to teach english in order to get an FM3 (the document that authorizes you to work). Just speaking the language isn't good enough. You will need a degree in English, a TESL/TEFL certificate, or something along those lines. There are several schools in Mexico (one in Guadalajara even) where you can get a TESL/TEFL certificate with an observed practice teaching component. This would be a reasonably-priced way to get yourself better prepared to be in the classroom and meet the requirements for the immigration office.

If you don't want to teach legally, you could just bring your backpack, some cash, and come on down. There are jobs available for native-speakers with no credentials and experience, but they may not be the best jobs in terms of pay and work environment.

[Samantha]

john in maine wrote:

[john_n_carolina]

...yeah i didn't review the post after my message...i meant to put "get the TEFL before you come..."

but anyways, i assume he's got a college degree , sounds good to me

i was more taken aback by the poster Fuzzx who suggested doing a MarcoPolo and heading to the land of fine teas and spices before Mexico. maybe, i got a bit restive reading that post and was caught up in the emotion on top of babysitting a 2 year old

[J Sevigny]

I agree with Fuzz. With a little experience and a little dancing around immigration requirements, you don't need a degree here. I�ve never shown anyone anything more than an ESL certificate and I've been here for eight years.

[ls650]

What works in one area of Mexico isn't necessarily true for other locations...

If the OP isn't fussy about where he/she works, then yes, the OP can find teaching work in Mexico without a degree. However, if you want a job that pays a better wage or offers better conditions, the more "pieces of paper" you have, the more opportunities you'll have for good jobs.

[MO39]

[jillford64]

No one said a degree was required. If you have a TESL certificate, you will be able to get an FM3.

[Oreen Scott]

My journey to teaching ESL/EFL has been a three year process.

To begin with, I have a BA and a certificate in Communications with a specialty in Public Relations, and many years of working in the newspaper business.

I wondered if I might make a good teacher. My major focus was being as professional as I could be. If I was going to teach I was going to be the best teacher I could be, I felt I owed that to my students.

I began by tutoring. I thought I would be a language partner, which simply meant hanging out with someone whose first language was other than English. As a tutor I felt, and looking back, truly was, over my head. But my student and I worked well together for about 18 months. And, I discovered I like and am a good teacher.

My next step was to volunteer with an adult ESL class. The ESL teacher of the class was my refree into the CTESL program at the University of Manitoba. And I needed a referee or I wouldn't have been accepted.

For a year I worked full-time, went to school part-time and volunteered as a TA in ESL classrooms, working with students at different levels.

Upon completion of my course work I applied for Canadian accreditation. In order to be accredited I needed a BA and a CTESL from a recognized institution. I'm an accredited ESL teacher of adults. My accreditation is interim until I get 1,000 hours of classroom teaching under my belt.

I've had all my documents certified by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs. My documents are now in the hands of an English to Spanish translator.

Before I leave Canada I will pay a visit to the Mexican Consulate to have my translated documents legalized.

All of this has taken time, money and energy.

So, when posters here talk about not needing any credentials I get a little testy.

I think people who do not think of TEFL as a serious profession are doing their students a great disservice.

Sometimes I go as far as to wonder if just coming down to Mexico without credentials is insulting the Mexican people.

As far as I'm concerned I have the minimum qualifications needed to teach EFL - and I am a good teacher, working for the first time for pay, but since it's a tutoring job rather than in the classroom, it doesn't count toward my accreditation.

Crossing the border soon - excited with a tinge of nervousness - I've made a lot of sacrifices to get to this point.

[MO39]

[Milenka]

[MO39]