Job Discussion Forums

[jackofalltrades]

ok well first of all hi to everyone..im new here. I am a former teacher(bachelor's in history, minor spanish and associates degree in business) that has taught spanish, history and esl in the united states. Last year i moved to mexico and lived on the mexican side of the border..that being said, here's my situation.

I recently met this guy online about a few months back. he wants to start a language school in the queretaro/celaya area. I was intrigued by the idea and i was really interested. While i do want to do it i am a bit hesitant since i have never done this before. He said that he would help me get my fm3(not pay for it but help me through the process) and he already has a room rented out for the beginning and he is even getting computers for the students to learn on. He says that celaya is a hotbed for learning english since all the college graduates have to do it before they graduate. I just don't want to go there blindingly accepting something that may or not be legit. I have always dreamed of living in southern mexico as the northern border is not that great. The pay is 8000 pesos and if that's not enough he talked to his buddy at a cyber cafe that will hire me for another 3000 pesos..so 11000 total.

My questions are 1. Does anyone know anything about the celaya/queretaro area? 2. How hard is it to get students to teach? 3. Is it hard to get a fm3 visa with independiente status so i can freelance? That way im not tired to a school? 4. Is this even realistic?

I will have anywhere from 2000-3000 dollares with me. He told me that that is more than enough since the cost of living is low. He also wants to teach with NO book...im not too keen on that idea ...any suggestions would be great! Thanks!

[wildchild]

you've never met this guy.

the school doesn't exist yet.

there are no students yet.

there won't be any books.

and yet he tells you he's gonna pay you 8,000... and a friend of his is gonna pay you 3,000...

um... No.



the situation you've described above, sounds like a "getting burned" waiting to happen.

If I were you, I'd go with an established school where you are more likely to have stable hours and pay, like a proper colegio (elementary school).

Others here will tell you that almost no one here recruits online. It's better to be here on the ground, to see for yourself, better intuition.

I know it's exciting to be apart of a new business, but it's not like he's making you co-owner and you're gonna get rich.

yes, you have a enough money saved up, so pick a destination that interests you, come on down for an extended vacation, look around, if you find a good gig, then stay. If you don't, well, you just had a nice vacation.

[jackofalltrades]

yes i'm beginning to see that too..well he has the place already..it's small but its doable..he's buying computers and desks as we speak and since he knows alot of people he already has two groups of students that are available. I won't be in business with him but i will be teaching and acting as the one in charge there. How hard will it be for me to get a job teaching english at one of the other school? and can someone tell me the name of the good ones in the area and by good ones i mean ones that actually pay their employees and pay decent?

[geaaronson]

I agree. This is probably not going to be a good situation for you. You will get only a few classes, the 8,000 pesos will turn into 800 per class as he apologizes and claims correctly that he has not been able to fill the classes as quickly as he anticipated, and the friend with the cyber cafe will hire you only enough hours to pay you 1,000 pesos a month.

But if you are willing to burn a lot of your own savings and have a good experience (that is questionable) then go for it. But I wouldn�t expect to have any savings left after 3 months.