Job Discussion Forums

[JacobTM]

Hey,

I'm thinking of moving to Mexico and I'm looking to get a job at a legitimate place that won't skimp me on pay, so obviously I'm thinking of getting a TEFL cert.

What is the difference in pay rate one can expect between having a CELTA and having any old TEFL cert? Do people really think of CELTA as the holy grail or do they just want to see some piece of paper that says TEFL?

I'm thinking of moving somewhere in the center of the country like Puebla, Cuernavaca or el DF, if that matters much.

Thanks a ton,
Jacob

[TeresaLopez]

It might matter somewhere, but in my experience, no it doesn't matter that much. Some places require a college degree PLUS the TEFL certificate. (Anglo-Mexicano, for example) Some of the larger schools have in-house training anyway (Interlengua, Quick Learning. Harmon Hall), and you will have to go that no matter what. For most of the schools I have worked for in the past being a native speaker was the single most important thing. These are language schools I am talking about. If you want to teach in a Bi-lingual school, they won't care if you have a TEFL certificate, but you almost always have to have a degree in education, plus certification in the US or Canada. Sometimes they will just take a degree in the subject you want to teach, but that isn't too common. If you have the qualifications for those types of schools they pay the best by far. There are loads of jobs in Mexico City, don't know about Puebla or anywhere else.

[TheLongWayHome]

The tefl cert is much more relevant to immigration as it is what will justify them giving you an FM3 to work legally.

Language schools generally ask for no more than a native speaker with a pulse.

[TeresaLopez]

Language schools generally ask for no more than a native speaker with a pulse.<<<<

Not so much in Mexico City, at least in better paying jobs, which is what he asked about. I know of one decent job I was not offered only because I didn't have a TEFL certificate at the time, and this despite a degree in education and 10+ years experience. And while you can be hired at Interlengua, with "just a pulse" they offer a pretty intense in house training course that you must survive, and it isn't for the weak of heart. I've been through it twice, and both times roughly 50% of the people who started the class made it through. And while I am not crazy about Interlengua's method, I did learn a lot that was useful to me later on, you can take what you want and leave the rest. It's not a bad place to start out, and for your second job it is a good reference, and having worked there will get you more pay in some places.

[gregd75]

Before recommending you to take a CELTA or any pther course, I'd want to know your experiences to date.

If you have just graduated and have limited experience of coaching, teaching or English grammar, then I would say that the CELTA is a fantastic course to take. Its hard work but it thoroughly prepares candidates to teach. There is a teaching component that would help a person who's never taught before.

If, however, you have experience of teaching etc, then 'any old' (in your words) TEFL certificate may do the trick.

Its about analysing what your needs are and then finding a course that will help you in those areas.

In my experience, receiving a job has a lot more to do with how your CV is written and presented than what course you have taken. I like to hire teachers that are enthusiastic and motivated, and this is what I look for during the recruitment process.

How do I look for this? Well, it's the approach a candidate has to a job, rather than a specific CELTA or alternative certificate.

Good luck!

[Phil_K]

Well said Greg.

From a manager's point of view, the maxim, "Hire for attitude, train for skill", would lead to a lot more success. An attitude to work is mainly inbred and can't be changed but teaching English is hardly rocket science and can be learnt very quickly if one has the desire.

Unfortunately, paper is king in Mexico.

[JacobTM]

Greg,

I'm currently teaching English as a volunteer in the Bronx to spanish speakers. I have 3 hour long classes 3 days a week with the same group, and I have so far been able to keep the students (all adults, most with kids) engaged, talking and having fun while doing it.

But I feel like on a resume just saying "volunteered to teach english for 2 months" doesn't look like much. I worry that in Mexico, from what I've seen, many teachers are crap despite their certs, and that most people don't share your ideology of hiring motivational, engaging teachers but rather just look for certs and degrees. I hope I'm wrong, but taking classes in Mexico did NOT endear me to the quality of teachers they hire at language schools.

But as someone who hires people, you really don't think a month-long CELTA course is more valuable than a weekend-long TEFL thing? I would be delighted to hear "yes, of course!" but it just seems that if I show up with 2 months of experience and a wimpy TEFL that people might not care how "enthusiastic" I seem and might be worried that my lack of experience betrays a true lack of enthusiasm for taking teaching seriously.

[Isla Guapa]

I think that the main reason for taking a serious month-long super-intensive course like the CELTA as opposed to a substandard weekend course is that you'll actually learn the basics of being a good teacher. Would you like to learn Spanish from a native speaker with essentially no training in the teaching arts?

[TeresaLopez]

Exactly. I have had so many students who have had bad teachers in the past, who don't know anything about grammar, or how to even explain when to use certain tenses, or exceptions to the rules. Unless you get a job in one of the schools that offers their own training, it will be a lot easier for you, and a lot better for your students if you have even a basic course. But even then, it's just a start. Some of it is practice, some of it is knowing your students and how they learn best - really probably the most important thing you can do in a small class or one on one tutoring - reading how other teachers do things, looking for resources and game to make your classes more interesting, it's really an ongoing thing.

[Isla Guapa]

Teresa's advice is what I would have written, but she beat me to it . Becoming a good teacher is a life-long process, as is learning a foreign language!

[TeresaLopez]

Well, turnabout's fair play since there are many times *I* would have written what YOU wrote, but YOU beat ME to it. As they say, great minds work alike.

[Isla Guapa]

[gregd75]

Well. Volunteering for a couple of hours of teaching a week is a lot more than many people who come down to Mexico. That would be a good example of motivation, as far as I am concerned.

Now, its how this is written on your CV that counts. Have you planned your lessons? Experience in lesson planning. Have you thought about how your classes went AFTER you taught them? You'd be on your way to being a reflective teacher. Did you look at what your students knew before teaching them? Ability to analyse students needs. Do you see what I mean?

You are one step ahead of many candidates, now you should think about what you have really achieved during your volunteering... Have all your kids passed their exams? Have you coached the ones that are struggling?

Referring to the CELTA. YES I would definately consider a CELTA qualified candidate over a weekend EFL course candidate, but I still think motivation trumps all. You are obviously motivated, so just work on your CV!

Another tip I'd offer is to send a lesson plan along with your CV to employers. This shows that A) You can plan lessons and B) You have experience doing so!

[JacobTM]

Greg,

Thanks for the advice, I see what you mean about pumping up my resume. The students I have are all adults, not kids, and there's no exam or anything, they're all purely motivated by their desire/necessity to learn English.

I think I'll end up taking CELTA to be safe, but I'll definitely avoid using it as a crutch and the idea of sending in a lesson plan is a great idea, thanks a ton.

[gregd75]

OK. final piece of advice.... take the CELTA course at IH playa del carmen!

The place is meant to be beautiful, so if you're going to kill youself with the course, then do it in style!

good luckkkkk