Job Discussion Forums

aliaeli · Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 46

Once someone on this forum mentioned that it is not common for a foreigner to be teaching at a SEP school. I have been wondering, why is this? And other than the appostilation of all of my educational degrees (and that would probably include my certificate of completion of pre-school, if I had one).

I am still searching for a job. If I want to find something other than an institute job, where can I look? Everywhere I look there are only jobs for Harmon Hall, the Anglo, Georgal etc.

Thanks for the help!

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

Where are you looking?

SEP does not mean any school that teaches children, but instead is refers to public schools. If you have the right qualifications (or don't...) you can look into the private schools.

aliaeli · Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 46

Thanks for the response. I know that SEP means the public school system. And that is my question, why is it that it is uncommon for foreign teachers to teach at SEP schools?

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Assuming you are bilingual, have you ever checked out a public school in person? A public school is a regular school with classes in Spanish.

aliaeli · Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 46

That's a rather obvious question I could've should've asked myself, eh? Well I suppose I have thought about doing it, but felt rather strange to randomly pop in to a school and ask if I could sit in. But on second thought, what could it hurt, no?
Yes, I am aware that SEP schools are taught in Spanish completely. Are you telling me that is one of the reasons foreign teachers don't usually work there? That would make for a good reason.
I assume I am bilingual, though I would rather throw in the disclaimer "bilingual enough".
Thanks for the response, I will make an attempt to go and get back to this post with my findings.
Apologies if this email reads sarcastic. It's not meant to be. Just late at night.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 12:46 pm Post subject:

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

MELEE · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 4:12 pm Post subject:

Another thing is that to teach in a public primary or secondary (up to 9th grade) you would absolutely HAVE TO be a member of the teacher's union. Not something I would want to do, and I don't know but wouldn't be surprised if foriegners can't do that. (The union is very political).

Also if you aren't a graduate of a Mexican Normal University it would probably be a million hoops to get you degrees validated (not just apostilled). I think Freddy has a little bit of exerpience with getting a foriegn degree validated by the SEP--but I could be remembering wrong.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 4:32 pm Post subject:

notamiss · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 11:04 pm Post subject:

Some of the above posts alluded to it, but didn't spell it out explicitly. To get a public school job, you don't submit credentials, meet criteria, pass an interview, etc.; rather you buy or get awarded a position from a retiring teacher. The only way to get a position is if your relative is a teacher and retires and passes it on to you, or if you buy it from a retiring teacher. Difficult criteria for a foreigner to fulfill.

This is supposed to be in the process of changing as we speak, but it is a rocky road.

MELEE · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject:

notamiss, there are new positions being created all the time, so it is possible to get a teaching position without someone retiring. Especially secondary is constantly building new schools as more and more people continue their education beyound the 6th grade. I guess this is probably not true in the megacity. Most of the positions are rural and seen as undesireable---and go to new Normal grads, it's actually part of the deal, when you gradutate from the Normal in Oaxaca, you are given a post. But depending on your grades and how active you were in the union during your student years will depend on whether or not the only transport to that school in a donkey.

But since public primaries don't teach English--Why are we even talking about this here? Razz

notamiss · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the correction. I was speaking from what I know, which of course is only a small and limited part of the picture.

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

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:37 pm Post subject:

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

You will be able to legally teach part time at a SEP school. I did just that for the month of September. Having said that, I would not recommend anyone doing it unless they are masochistic gluttons.
If you still wish to pursue the matter, Private message me and I will fill you in on the details.