Job Discussion Forums

[sarafate]

Good afternoon, everyone! I am planning to move to Guadalajara to teach English in August. As I have never been to Mexico I would appreciate any advice you could share. A few questions:

1. I have tried to secure a job using Internet resources, but with no success. Is it possible to find work before I arrive in Guadalajara? If so, can you suggest useful websites or placement agencies. (Note: I have applied to Global ERS, but they have been of not help thus far).

2. If it is not possible to find work before I arrive in Guadalajara, can anyone suggest reputable schools in the area?

3. Is it possible to find work year round in Guadalajara? Or, only at the start of the school year. And is there a lot of work to be had?

4. I have a rough idea that school starts in August, can anyone be more specific?

5. I will be seeking private housing, is it difficult to find housing? Any idea on how much a shared apartment can run for?

6. Is it hard to get around Guadalajara without a car?

7. Are there any other points you would give a newcomer?

Many thanks in advance for any help you might be able to offer.

Warm wishes,

Sira

[Guy Courchesne]

A couple of questions for you that would make answering more helpful.

What kind of teaching work are you looking for (language institute, primary or secondary school, university, etc) and what kind of qualifications do you have?

1. 2. 3. Nothing beats being on the ground and meeting with schools in person. Most hiring for the better private primary and secondary schools started in February and has pretty much wrapped up. Unfilled positions will become apparent in August so being in town gives you an advantage if you've already visited schools and left your CV and a local contact number.

4. August 11th and 16th for many schools.

5. Check Craig's list for a few of the more expensive ideas. When you're in town, you can find cheaper housing. Not that hard. Plan for a stay at a hotel or hostel for a few days while you look.

6. There's a limited subway system and a lot of buses. Not that hard to get around.

7. For advice, be persistent but polite. Don't make any assumptions about getting call backs from schools. The Mexican sense of promptness is not like you would find in the US, Canada, or the UK. You need to show initiative. Another bit of advice is to make sure your paperwork is in order and ready (see apostille info elsewhere on the Mexico forum) and expect to have some upfront costs and expenses without a first paycheck for up to two months (just in case).

[sarafate]

Dear Guy,

Thank you so much for your reply. To answer your questions, I hold a CELTA and I am currently working on my master's in TESOL. Currently, I have one month's teaching experience. Once in Mexico, I am interested in teaching in secondary school, language institutes, and universities (I think I need more experience for university teaching, no?). Out of curiosity: Have you been in Mexico for long? And, are you in Guadalajara? Would you mind sharing a bit about your experience teaching in Mexico?

I will not be able to arrive in Guadalajara until the end of August, early September. Though I understand many schools will have already filled their positions, and started classes, do you think finding work is realistic at that point?

Also, thank you for pointing out that I need Apostilles for my documents, luckily I started the process a while back. It is also good to know that I can be assertive in my job search once in Mexico. Thanks again for the information, and have a nice evening!

Best,

Sira

[Guy Courchesne]

I've lived in Mexico for 10 years, mostly in Mexico City with some time spent living and working in Acapulco and Guadalajara. I've been involved in teacher training most of that time.

I think your CV will look just fine for most jobs so your only concern is job availability. Your timing will be slightly off but if you stick it out you might be able to land an unfilled position. Otherwise, language institute work is less calendar specific.

Someone here from Guadalajara is sure to chime in with more specific info on housing and job leads.

[sarafate]

Thank you for the informatoin, Guy! I look forward to my trip, and I'm ready to stick it out

All the best, Sira

[rafomania]

Hey,
I lived in Guadalajara for a few years.
You can find jobs anytime of year. I got my job in a language institute in December. I got a job teaching Business English in Feburary. I also joined a High School one Feburary. Just keep your eyes open in newspapers, internet, drop CV's off in schools, once you know other teachers, ask them etc. Thats my experience. You gotta be there to get the job most of the time. In Mexico that is.

Housing, again I found through word of mouth. Look on University notice boards. I never changed apartment in my time in Guadalajara so cant help much on that. Or find a zone you would like to live in and look for 'for rent' signs. I shared a rented apartment for $1500 pesos, this was from 2005 to 2009.

You can get about in Guad on the bus easily. I ended up buying a car and it was the best decision I made. Car was cheap to buy and run. It was a chevy pop and I ran it to the beach and back.
Theres loads of buses in town and a metro with 2 lines. Taxis are cheap too, but learn the fares to avoid being ripped off.

Other tips?
My best teaching days were at a language school. I made a lot of friends , enjoyed the teaching and earned not very good money.
I also did business english, easy classes, more money, but bit boring. #
I also taught in a private high school. Crap classes with spoilt brats, excellent money.

So hope my experiences help you decide a bit.
Just pm me with any other questions and Ill help if I can.

[sarafate]

Dear Raphomania,

I am a new member so I do not yet have the option to send a PM. Thank you for your reply, and I am happy to hear that it is possible to find work in Guadalajara year round. It is also a relief to know that I can focus my energy on finding a job once I am in Mexico, and not before. A few questions: Do you know if it is possible to secure part-time positions? Also, do you need to have experience to teach Business English? I hold a CELTA, have 1 month's teaching experience, and am working on my master's in TESOL. Finally, thank you for sharing some of the experiences you've had with various learning institutions, I'm starting to get a clearer picture of working conditions. I am correct in presuming that you enjoyed your experience in Mexico, not just the language school? I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,

Sira

[kayt3k]

Hey Sira,

I'm also from NY (Long Island) and looking to make a move to Mexico sometime within the next month to teach English. I have thought about moving to Guadalajara as well. I would love to talk to you more about the whole process! Shoot me an e-mail at [email protected] if you would like to chat

Kate

[rafomania]

hey,
theres part time work ( not sure how u define that in the teaching sector though). usually if u do business classes u dont work too much so i guess its part time. for example u might get 2 hours in the morning to work and later on in the evening a few more hours if u want. high schools are 730am to 3pm more or less depending on the school.

Your CELTA is enough in most cases. I never got rejected for a job in Mexico! Yeah Mexico was fantastic, not one regret. there was good and bad, mainly good. mexico is about the people and music and food! People are friendly, actually very friendly when comparing it to places like London uk (where i am now). They are easy going too (with foreigners anyway).
I learnt a lot of spanish and married a Mexican girl. that reminds me, bedtime, ill write some more soon

[sarafate]

Hey Rafomania, Your take on Mexico, is getting me even more excited about my move, so thanks for the info. From your description I have understood that there are a great many work opportunities across the board, and the hours can vary. This is perfect for me since I will be working on my master's. It is also encouraging to hear you never were rejected for a job, since finding work in the last country I was in (Germany) was a nightmare. Good people, good food, and good music, what more can a girl ask for Again, I really appreciate your input.

All the best,

Sira

[championthewonderhorse]

Hi, I've been reading the other mails in this thread and I thought I should tell you what I have learnt.

I've been living in Guadalajara for 4 years now, and although life is good I feel you do need to come prepared. Basically, I'm talking about having savings. Don't come with less than $US3,000. Why? Well, I work for a company (I also work at a uni) which teaches incompany and they haven't paid me for over 2 months. I know they will pay me eventually but they are waiting for their clients to pay them. The fact is .. can you go 2 months without being paid??

Language Schools in general pay 60 to 80 pesos per hour though many seem to be going through radical changes recently. Interlingua is going bankrupt; Vancouver language centre (megalomanic Dos .. maybe he's gone by now); Quick Learning (supposed obligatory involvement in religious rituals) etc. Yes, they are good places to meet other foreigners but would you work for 5 dollars an hour? (check out other threads for the great language school vs unis debate)

Companies giving incompany classes... a difficult area. Most only have 5 to 10 teachers working for them and you never see the other teachers anyway. This type of teaching can be a little solitary. These companies always wants to score the big customers, but big customers want credit and even then they pay late. So, in the long run, like many other companeis here in Mexico, they have a short life. Who would go into business with no capital?? They do give teachers 120 to 140 pesos per hour on average, but choose the company very carefully.

Private secondary and high school teaching.. great pay (for guadalajara.. about 14,000 a month) but generally appallingly behaved students. stay well clear

University teaching.. the 3 best unis here are ITESO, Universidad Panamericana and Tec de monterrey. Obviously the best places to work as not only is the pay good (200 pesos per hour) but the students and staff are great.

suggestions
-If you want to find some employment suggestions look on computrabjo or occmundial.. these are excellent job search engines.
-Live frugally for the first 3- 6 months, which is very easy to do here, and check everything out by actually going to the place and handing in your CV.
-Try and get uni work (as you said maybe a little difficult with 1 month teaching experience). If you don't succeed at first , I'm sure with a masters in TESOL you will be successul sooner or later.
-If you get a job in a high school , make sure you ask other foreigners who are working there what it is like. (probably difficult to do).. don't work at culminares (liceo del valle, altimira, etc) I wouldn't want my worst enemy to work there!
-Be patient! Answers don't come quickly. Also, don't take the first thing that comes along. Scout around and suss out what is best for you.

I hope my suggestions don't dampen your spirit as Mexico certainly is a great country to live and travel in. However, you should come well prepared.

[Phil_K]

[Guy Courchesne]

[Isla Guapa]

I've only worked for one of these companies and was always paid on time. Guess I was lucky!

[Phil_K]