Job Discussion Forums

[boxcarwilly]

Any thoughts on the advertisement where they are asking prospects to ante up 20 bucks to process a Spanish language test ?

[Ben Round de Bloc]

I'd say the cost is pretty reasonable for a language proficiency test. In the state where I live, preparatoria (high school) English teachers now have to pay 500 pesos (about USD$50) to take an English proficiency test and pass it in order to continue teaching English. I know, because I teach at the state university and am involved in administering the test to them. And, no, it isn't any extra money in my pocket. Helping to administer the test is one of my regular contractual obligations in addition to teaching.

Assuming that this place is looking for teachers in general, not just EFL teachers -- or maybe they're not even looking for EFL teachers at all -- they could be trying to attract some foreign applicants to teach in a variety of subject areas. If that's the case, then asking applicants to take a Spanish language proficiency test wouldn't be out of line. Actually, it wouldn't be out of line to ask all applicants, even native Spanish speakers, to take a Spanish language test simply to eliminate relatively illiterate job seekers from the running. (It's not all that unusual for people in this country to apply for -- and often get -- jobs for which they're completely unqualified.)

I'd be more concerned about why one city/town/school (unclear which it is without having more information) suddenly needs 50 teachers. Is it a new school that's just starting up? Is it an established school where all the teachers recently quit for some reason? Is administration trying to force all the current teachers out, because they're demanding certain things like better wages and improved working conditions?

Of course, all this is speculation on my part. Without seeing the ad and/or knowing more information, I can't really form a solid opinion. If you could supply more information, it would be helpful.

[Guy Courchesne]

I saw the ad. This is a language school based in Monterrey 9or thereabouts) that claims they are about to expand into several more cities in Mexico. Eng Canada they are called.

I'm a little surprised at what they are offering as pay..1500 usd per month. Sounds nice, but not many priavte language schools pay in that range.

[MELEE]

[richtx1]

1500 USD??? �AY CARRUMBA! I'll quit my job and work for them... but, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Most of us (and I'm an administrator) make a hell of a lot less than that. And, of course, we're paid in pesos.