Job Discussion Forums

[donnalboyer]

I have just completed a TESL course and a Teaching & Training adults certificate course. I have a college diploma but not a university degree. I love the Latin culture (lived in Costa Rica for 4 years) and would like to spend the winter months (I'm a Canadian) in Mexico. Being my sole supporter it is important that I work while I'm out of Canada for a fair/reasonable salary. I would appreciate any advise from mature teachers on obtaining experience as well as a job for the fall of 2004. My biggest concern is how most schools feel about hiring mature people, hiring without a University degree and hiring with little experience.

Thank you for any help you can give.

Cheers!

Donna[/b]

[chula]

Well, to start off, I only meet half of the age requirement (I�m 25), but I can let you know that in the town I work they don�t really hire people just for the winter months. They like to have people who stick around for longer periods of time and so don�t usually hire based on the time schedule that�s most convenient for foreign visitors.

[donnalboyer]

Thank you for your input.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[Guy Courchesne]

Absolutely right Ben...showing what you bring to the table during an interview is what ultimately ices the job for you...that and good timing.

You can find some winter month positions here and then, thougn you would be best not looking in the obvious holiday spots for snow birds (Acapulco, Canacun, Puerto Vallarta). Inland cities, like Cuernavaca, Mexico City (blech), or Morelia would be best.

If you can be in touch with a school in late August, you'll probably be okay for a job.

[kingslair]

I agree with all of the above. I'm a 55-year-old female Canuck working for a resort chain in the Puerto Vallarta area.

Another thing unique to Mexico is that most employers want to see the whites of your eyes before they will hire you. In other words, it's rare to get good, stable jobs on the internet. There are exceptions, of course. So your best bet is to come down here with your return airfare securely tucked away just in case, and start pounding the streets (or beaches as in the case of resorts).

My employer is balking at giving me time off to go home for a visit in July. "A whole month?" he cried!

Donna, do email me, and I can tell you more, but you may have to bite the bullet and just content yourself with holidays here unless you are willling to move here permanently. It can be done (I'm living proof), and you can make a living. You won't save much, but the peace of mind you get by leaving the rat race behind is worth it in my book.

[moonraven]

Lots of folks from Canada and the northern US come to Mexico to teach for awhile. You can make it, but Ihave to say that unless you have an overwhelming passion for this country you probably won't stay very long (2 or 3 years max.) I came here 10 years ago to write about the life of Emiliano Zapata and to produce theater in his birth village. I didn't speak Spanish. I learned. I have written two books about Zapata from which we have presented parts as campesino theater productions. Those projects led me to writing and giving presentations about the history of agrarian reform in Latin America, which led to writing and giving presentations about US interventions in Latin America, etc. This is my home, in a way that the US never was. I am now ready to try another hemisphere for a year or so before thinking about trying to retire here. Age is not a factor in hiring for most ESL jobs here in Mexico.

[donnalboyer]

You guys are awesome. Thanks so much for taking the time to respond as well as the excellent advice. I will certainly take everything into consideration that you have suggested. In the meantime, I am trying to find volunteer assistant teaching or turtoring as I think that type of experience coupled with my determination will help a great deal. As far as leaving for a year, that is a possibility as well. My future goals are to teach in Spain and Italy. Good thing there's no taxes on dreaming yet?