Job Discussion Forums

[snapdragon]

Right now, I'm wrapping up the school year studying in Germany; I'll be back in the US in June, at which point I will probably be spending ~6 months, give or take, living with my parents and doing some low paying job (the give or take depends on how low paying!), whatever I can get, to save enough money to get a CELTA and then, as the plan is now, get myself started in Mexico City where I will then look for work teaching English. I have no degree, just some college credits.

I'm considering taking some community college classes as well while I'm in the US. My parents will pay for that as it could lead to a four-year degree which is pretty much their dream in life for me at the moment, even though I want to figure out why I want the degree instead of earning a degree in some random subject, which my parents might not be able to fully afford in any case and which might leave me with loans. I want to give EFL teaching a try and live in Mexico for a year or two, more maybe depending on how it all works out.

My question here is, are there any specific subjects that I should take classes in while I'm at home, just for a semester or two, that would give me some kind of advantage in looking for jobs in Mexico? It wouldn't lead to a degree, but I was thinking that perhaps some level of proficiency in some skill or another (very vague, I know!), might help me out. Maybe some basic business course if I wanted to teach business English (not that I necessarily do, or know if I could), or something computer-related....? Communications of some kind? I really don't know if any of this helps at all, and maybe I'll just take a few classes that interest me randomly, but if anyone has suggestions, I'd welcome them!

Thanks for the help

[nwomac]

Hi,
If you are going to teach English, then you should take some courses in that subject. Also, you might try taking a basic education course to add to your resume.
Check with your advisor at the college in which you matriculate.

Good luck.

[snapdragon]

Well, I doubt I'll be teaching anything like college English (ie Literature, etc.), but maybe. Education, though, I'll see what they have to offer there, could definitely be useful! Thanks

[TheLongWayHome]

[wildchild]

Industrial, Mechanical Engineering; Economics.

plus your German skills, and you could eventually land yourself a sweet job with Volkswagen Mexico (they have a plant here in Puebla).

(btw, that's exactly what I'm trying to do: I've got myself enrolled in some German classes here, studying Econ. at the local Uni, getting ready to send of my application for an internship...)

[snapdragon]

I don't think high schools or especially unis would be hiring me without even a BA. I know I'm most likely to be at a language institute of some kind, yes?

Economics, though, I could try that! (Engineering scares me.) Would that be to teach some kind of business English class?

[TheLongWayHome]

[snapdragon]

[TeresaLopez]

You might also want to get an online TESOL certificate, it will give you some good ideas for teaching classes, especially at the beginning. They aren't too expensive, in the $200 - $300 US dollar range, and you get out of it what you put into it. You can plow through in in a few weeks, or take your time and thoughtfully do the assignments, it's up to you. Another thing you might want to consider is applying for a job working for Interlengua. I know some people hate them, but they will hire you with just a HS Diploma, and they give you a decent training program, something you can use in the future wherever you go. The pay is decent, and they will pay half of your work visa costs, plus all the costs for the lawyer who will take care of it for you. They have a very rigid teaching method, but they supply you with EVERYTHING you need, books, lesson plans, posters, etc. You pretty much just show up. Plus they have locations all over the city. I worked for them way back when, and found that people were impressed that you had worked for what is considered one of the biggies here in Mexico City. And, this probably shouldn't be last, but they pay on time!

[Prof.Gringo]

For just a few bucks more than an online TEFL you can get a SEP approved teacher's diploma. PM me for more info.

[dixie]

[TeresaLopez]

[geaaronson]

I would most strenously discourage an online course in TESOL, TEFL or whatever. I am hearing from many educational administrators that they highly disapprove of those internet courses. They would only be money down the drain and might even be a reason for someone not to hire you as you would be trying to put one over the employers, so would be the impression.
I would suggest a class in Applied Linguistics and another in education. The business course is one I would put a distant third. Also a course in Spanish would come in useful.

[snapdragon]

I was already planning to get an actual in person TESOL certificate of some kind, probably a CELTA, the intensive one month kind, before starting to look for work But, thanks!

Thanks for the advice about Interlengua, too, I might look into it.

I'm not sure what an SEP diploma is--would it help me to find a job, more than a CELTA would?

And, finally, I will look into those class suggestions! (I speak some Spanish, and sadly my local community college isn't offering anything past intermediate in this fall semester which would largely be a waste of money as I speak intermediate Spanish, but I will be trying to improve it.)

Thanks for all the helpful advice, everyone.

[Isla Guapa]