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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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 Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Perhaps you would have to teach part time and find something else to do the rest of the time. |
That's been the attraction for most recent US college grads that I've met here or who have come through the TEFL course. Learning Spanish seems the most common priority for them, so working part time to cover the bills and having the free time to learn the culture is ideal.
Let's not forget too that just rolling into a primary and secondary school job without training is going to be intimidating, and you're probably not going to be very good at it. The best jobs here always go to those who come down with teaching credentials, the right degrees, and experience. |
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Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:46 pm Post subject: Re: What's it like to teach ESL in Mexico |
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| TheLongWayHome wrote: |
| alellis wrote: |
| Anything else I should know? |
Language schools: lowest pay, usually no benefits, some provide accommodation, hours not guaranteed.
Chain language schools: (slightly) better pay, (slightly) more guaranteed hours, a few benefits, don't employ the over 35s, over 30s in the case of Harmon Hell, some have exclusivity clauses in the 'contract'
Highs schools and the like: horrible to teach at (see above), probably a better pay package, benefits, stress, no split shifts.
Unis: better pay, benefits, great if you can get a full-time position.
Privates: unreliable, cancel suddenly, don't pay, you waste half your time waiting/travelling, only do it to supplement your income.
You seem to like Mexico, this will help you a lot. I don't love Mexico but I nearly always have more work than I can do and the food is good. |
That's a very good post and it sums up most Mexican schools in a nut-shell.
I would like to point out that culturally speaking, education and ESL just don't seem to have the same level of importance here as they do in other countries and areas (Asia comes to mind). Mexican students rarely do their homework assignments and they often can't think on their own. How do I know? I have taught elementary, secondary and high school here. When I asked a question to a class of 25 I was lucky to see 5 hands raised. |
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Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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| jfurgers wrote: |
| alellis wrote: |
So, basically all of you hate your jobs teaching in Mexico?
I was thinking to go long term because I have lived there before and wanted to go back....but everyone makes it sound terrible |
I don't think anyone is trying to scare you from coming to Mexico,we're just trying to let you know the good and the bad about the place.
Here's another bad...It seems like some of the language institutes don't pay on time and sometimes don't pay at all. One school shorted me almost 2,000 pesos and I had to wait two weeks for it.
Another school hardly ever pays on time. So be prepared for that. Perhaps you would have to teach part time and find something else to do the rest of the time. |
Yes, it's always very important to know the good and bad points about moving to any place. If you asked me about moving to Los Angeles CA and all I told you about was the good points (beaches, weather, things to do, culture) and you came and saw the reality (Low paying jobs, high crime, gangs, drugs, high rent, etc) you would wonder why I didn't tell you about the down side. Same deal with Mexico or any other place.
About not getting paid: It only happened to me once. It was also a school run by a Gringo, not a Mexican. It does happen. It has also given me a deeper appreciation of what immigrants in the US face when they don't receive pay or benefits. |
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dixie
Joined: 23 Apr 2006
Posts: 644
Location: D.F
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Mexican students rarely do their homework assignments and they often can't think on their own. How do I know? I have taught elementary, secondary and high school here. When I asked a question to a class of 25 I was lucky to see 5 hands raised. |
Not sure how not raising their hands is a reflection of what you are claiming, as that is common in many classrooms. Few teachers get the privilage of having everyone in the room eager or bold enough to participate.
I too have taught from elementary through to prepa, and schools here can be nightmares to teach for. However, that does not mean that all are. I am currently in love with the place that I work, and for the first time in my life I actually feel like a teacher! I have supportive management, and co-workers, great students (for the most part) who are capable, and most surprisingly, I have parents that see me as the one in charge, rather than someone to boss around.
One thing about private schools is that parents pay, and so they often think that means that they should be able to determine the outcome of their child's grades (and dictate the way the school runs). If you work for a school that allows that to a high degree, then you are likely to not have an enjoyable experience.
In regards to paying off student loans - that is tough. You will not be able to save much to put towards the loan, plus you have the hassle of figuring out how to get your money back from here to there (wherever there may be). |
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alellis
Joined: 13 Jan 2008
Posts: 28
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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Where are you working now (the one who said they love where they are)?
Yes, I know that I have student loans, but I know people who had double the student loans that I do, are married with an unemployed husband and a small child and they are struggling, but making it.
We will see what happens! Worst comes to worse I will go back to the states. |
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MELEE
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 2583
Location: The Mexican Hinterland
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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I also love my job, but its not one you are going to get just out of uni with no TEFL training and experience. There are some really great jobs in Mexico, but like any industry, the great jobs go to the people who have higher qualifications and experience.
In your first post you said you were afraid you'd end up staying in Mexico forever and that scarred you. WHY? I'm big on we make our own lives, no one is ever really stuck anywhere they just lack the determination to do the work that will get them to the place they want to be. I love where I am and it's not an accident that I'm living the life I live, I created that life. I work with great students, I have excellent benefits, okay pay and acceptable hours. I also love the climate, food, lifestyle Mexico, particullarly Oaxaca, offers me.
However I do recognize that I'm extremely lucky to have had parents who were able to pay for my bachelor's degree. So I've never had any student loans. Having to make loan payments when you are earning pesos is hard. Part of the hard is making your budget but another part of the hard is the uncertainity of what might happen to the currancy. We all know the peso could crash. There was a recent thread on it you could read. You could also look up several old threads about the FUN FUN FUN of trying to send money out of Mexico.
I know several people have done it, but I don't think Mexico is the best first choice to start your TEFL career. But some people are not looking at TEFL in general, but just for a way to get back to Mexico (as your case seems to be).
Before I'd even try to say if TEFL in Mexico is for you I'd like to know more about what you want to get in life. |
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alellis
Joined: 13 Jan 2008
Posts: 28
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Hi, well I can try to sum up who I am to you and what I want in life as best as I can....well first of all I am a senior at UNC Charlotte, I major in Spanish and I lived in Xalapa, Veracruz for one year. I grew up in MA and moved down south at age 16. I am the youngest of 5 kids (that's why I need student loans) and my brothers live all across the USA (Los Angeles, San Antonio TX, my parents live in Charlotte NC--me too). I loved learning Spanish and I love language classes. I always have the most fun in language classes. If I stay in the states I would like to pursue Elementary ESL K-12 and if I go to Mexico, well just regular ESL. I would like to get more credentials, but I really do not want to take out more student loans right now because then it will be even harder to go back to Mexico. I am kind of a nerd, I like going to school and studying and I always do my homework. At the same time I am social and like to be around friends. I prefer public transportation since I dont have a car, I love Mexican food (omg I miss it so much) and I LOVE to dance (I used to be a ballet dancer). What else....I like little kids, I have been a babysitter since age 13 and have babysat for TONS of families....I also like going to church (christian--I went to a christian church in Xalapa). I probably left out a lot, but that's all for now. |
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alellis
Joined: 13 Jan 2008
Posts: 28
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:08 pm Post subject: |
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| *** oh yeah, and for what I want to get out of life....well like everyone...I want a sense of balance and security. I want to be around ppl that make me happy and are not so stress or material driven (I am not saying Americans are like that because I met a lot of Mexicans that were very greedy and materialistic while in Mexico). I want to have time for myself and those closest to me. I don't want my career to consume all of my time so that no one around me exists. Like everything, I want moderation. |
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dixie
Joined: 23 Apr 2006
Posts: 644
Location: D.F
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| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 12:09 am Post subject: |
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I agree with MELEE and Guy that the best jobs are going to go to those with the best credentials and experience. However, sometimes one gets lucky and an opening pops up and goes to who is nearby.
Another reason I love my new job is because I can be home by 3pm everyday, which leaves me time to be with all my babies (a number that keeps growing...) and to just relax while also taking care of daily responsibilities.
If coming here is something that you are really set on, then I do highly suggest doing it before you get stuck with too many responsibilities that are hard to leave. |
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alellis
Joined: 13 Jan 2008
Posts: 28
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| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 12:29 am Post subject: |
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What type of school do you work at which allows you to be home by 3pm?
As for credentials, I will have a college degree, I am certified to teach ESL from -i-to-i international, and I am going to do the ITTO training in Guadalajara if I decide to go to Mexico. I know that I lack experience, but as in any country, college grads always have to start at the bottom and work their way up 
I am glad to hear you can spend time with you children! |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:00 am Post subject: |
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A degree in what? Degrees in Education, linguistics, or English Literature are typically needed for the top jobs, along with experience.
Of course, there are always jobs teaching in areas besides English, such as science. |
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dixie
Joined: 23 Apr 2006
Posts: 644
Location: D.F
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| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:20 am Post subject: |
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I teach English at a prepa (9th & 11th grades).
If you can teach science and math, then you have an extra leg up (at least in the private school scene).
| Quote: |
| I am glad to hear you can spend time with you children! |
Children to me...but with four legs!  (see avatar) |
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alellis
Joined: 13 Jan 2008
Posts: 28
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| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 2:27 am Post subject: |
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| I will have a degree in Spanish Literature and Culture with a minor in Latin American Studies. I studied Spanish linguistics at the Universidad Veracruzana in Xalapa. I also am taking an English Linguistics at my university. |
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MikeySaid
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 509
Location: Torreon, Mexico
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| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 3:04 am Post subject: |
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if you can, get a job working in education in the states for at least a year and get your credential/teaching license.
you can make 30-50k a year and maybe teach in florida, new york, chicago, los angeles, or another part of the country where there are high numbers of spanish speakers.
if you can do this you pad your resume, use your education, and then can snag a much better job (because of your experience) down here in Mexico.
If you find that you like teaching children, an upper crust private bilingual school will pay you very well. |
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alellis
Joined: 13 Jan 2008
Posts: 28
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| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 4:35 am Post subject: |
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| thanks for the advice |
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