Job Discussion Forums

[al capone]

Currently working in for a major schooland despite what was promised before leaving europe my employer has cancelled my

a) holiday pay

b) spanish lessons

c) insurance

ALSO lessons have been cut and recieved no advice during the Swine Flu scare

surely all cannot be the same??????????????????

also anyone got any decent sites for jobs ads apart from davesesl

cheers

[leslie]

Bye

[al capone]

I,m not wallowing in self pity but more boiling with rage over the lies that are consistently told. I have taught in Asia and never been treated with such contempt.

How can you trust an organisation that continually lets you down and never keeps their word?

It was the spanish lessons that really got my goat given that they are a language institute.

Incidently i was off for 2 weeks, no pay during the swine flu as well.

[TheLongWayHome]

Language schools are really a law unto themselves. What you're promised is only that - a promise - and promises are often broken.

Having said that, there are a lot of cutbacks going on, especially in higher education. In a lot of places here in SLP, teachers are losing benefits and having their contracts changed to honorarios. Full time jobs are hard to find unless you want to work for $7000 a month.

[Ruffle the cat]

Had lots of problems with first language school I worked for since then it died, it was in SLP. Opened my own. Then worked for the best school I have worked for in the whole world (and I have taught in 6 countries) the school is in Queretaro but right now with the economy like everyone else they are having a few cut backs.

[Professor]

Start your own little business. Teach on your own. Find your own clients and don't work for the Mexicans. That's the best way to make it in Mexico. That's what I do and it works great.
Just get your money upfront unless you really know and trust the students because again....they will lie about paying you. Live by the following motto in Mexico and you'll be fine.

TRUST NO ONE.

[Samantha]

Here we go again.

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

Let's stay on topic and avoid generalizations as to an entire ethnic group. If not, there will be sanctions and this thread will no longer be available.

[Phil_K]

I think the root of the problem lies here:

My father started a real estate agency in 1971, developed it into a successful business which survives today, and provides him with a comfortable retirement. In the 1980s, there was a massive property boom in Britain, and needing very little capital to start that kind of business, everyone jumped on the bandwagon. Of course, we have been through many cycles of boom and bust since then, and most of those businesses are distant history. Why do I tell this story? Well, that is pretty much the story of private language institutes in Mexico today (and for all I know, much of the world). Many people are setting up "institutes" with little business acumen and a ready market of people complaining "I don't have enough hours". The fault lies on both sides (and I have to say, many of these "entreprenuers" are not Mexicans). On the employers side, very often the focus is simple on business and making money without having the foresight to recognize that it is a quality product that makes money - (with the exception of Starbucks and McDonald's of course ) and no idea about man management. On the side of the teacher the situation is almost the same. Many regard it as "mi chamba" without any goals in mind. I have first hand experience of this. Finding good and reliable teachers is a nightmare.

My advice? Be proactive - don't complain - co-operate. And if you employer isn't worth cooperating with, find another. With the right attitude you'll eventually get what you want. It took me 7 years to really crack it but it was worth it.

[ontoit]

Strive for independence and the only one who can treat you poorly is you.

You should look at any work for an employer as part of an apprenticeship leading to self employment.

[Justin Trullinger]

[Phil_K]

Well, the analogy missed slightly as many, or most of these schools are one man and his dog, and not McEnglish schools, but point taken. I've always preferred working for small companies myself - a big fish in a small pond rather than a tadpole lost in the ocean.

[JZer]