Job Discussion Forums

[scott wilhelm]

I am very seriously considering a move to Guadalajara late this year or early next to teach English. I have a year and a half of part-time Berlitz experience here in the U.S., but am not certified. I do have a B.S., but not in English. Am I more likely to find a better teaching job in Mexico if I am certified ? Or does it not matter much ? If so, is there a good school that I could attend (by correspondence) from St Louis, Mo (where I currently live) ? There doesn't seem to be anyone offering certification programs here. Is there a good (but reasonably) priced school in Guadalajara offering certification ? I would want the certification if it matters as far as money, working conditions, etc. But if the certification is of little practical value, I'd rather keep the money and use it to get settled into Guadalajara.
Any advice any of you could give me is much appreciated.
Scott

[jenrich]

In my experience, a TEFL or TESL certificate is not necessary to get a job teaching English. Your experience teaching at Berlitz will probably count for a lot more. The only time I was ever told that I needed a certificate was to work at a university, but the job paid the same as the job I have now (which didn�t require a certificate). If you get here and find that you do want to get the certificate, you could always sign up for one of the courses in GDL. I took a course here in GDL, so PM me if you want to know how it was.

Good luck,
Jennifer

[Ben Round de Bloc]

I agree with Jennifer. I'd say it's more important to take a good TEFL certificate course for what you can get out of it in terms of improving your TEFL skills and knowledge than for what the piece of paper can do for you when looking for a job. As for getting hired at language schools, your Berlitz training and experience should do as much for you as a TEFL certificate in the majority of cases.