Job Discussion Forums

Germanicus · Joined: 03 Sep 2010 Posts: 19 Location: Ireland

HI. I'm a recent graduate of a BA(Hons) degree in Ireland. I received a 1st class honour in my finals and I'm 42 yrs of age. I've visited Mexico a couple of times and have really loved it. I've a good friend in DF who has her own apartment and is a long time resident there. She reckons that I wouldn't have too much trouble picking up an English teaching job there even without TEFL/TESOL and that it should be fairly straight forward to sort my visa out in DF. I'm seriously thinking of pitching up there in October with US1000 in my pocket and taking my chances. Can someone please advise on this? Much appreciation.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 7:54 pm Post subject:

Congratulations on getting your degree! I don't think the fact that it's a BA with Honors or that you did so well on your finals will mean much here, but having the degree at all should be a help.

However, if you have no relevant training in how to teach English as a foreign language and no teaching experience of any kind, even if you found some work at a language school, how would you know what to do the first time you stepped into a classroom? You need to consider getting a TEFL certificate (TEFL/TESOL is not the name of a qualification, just several of many ways to refer to our profession), for the sake of your sanity and, even more important, for the sake of your students who will have paid good money for your services. Also, if you intend to work here legally, you will need proof of your ability to teach (a degree in education or some sort of certificate, like a CELTA) to be eligible for an FM3, a residence/work visa.

Germanicus · Joined: 03 Sep 2010 Posts: 19 Location: Ireland

Thanks. Much appreciated. Very Happy

Tretyakovskii · Joined: 14 Aug 2009 Posts: 462 Location: Cancun, Mexico

$1,000 USD is no money at all, in Mexico. You could go through it in a hurry, and it would put you seriously at risk to be here with so little, and depending on others to look out for you. With $3,000, a return ticket, and a friend offering to put you up, you'd have what I would think of as a reasonable chance of avoiding serious embarrassment.

I agree with Guapa that having the brief, but intense training involved in a TEFL course is worth it for almost anyone entering teaching English: you won't know how much you don't know, if you land a job teaching, but your students may notice.

All that said, others have done just as you're proposing doing, survived, and prospered so, should you decide to go ahead, you have my well wishes for your success.

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

Yes, you need at the very least $2000 US and preferably more. $1000 US is enough to live on for a month, but frugally, and when you first arrive you will have start up costs, if you rent a department, whether shared or on your own, you will have to pay a month's rent and a deposit. Even if you get a job right away, it might be a month or a month and a half before you get paid. You really can't survive on $1000 US for that amount of time. I also echo what Isla said, please, for the sake of your students get some kind of training. I do some hiring for a langugage institute, and as part of the interview process I ask for a sample mini-lesson. What would you do in that case. In addition, I observe my teachers on a monthly basis to see how they are doing, and while occasionally someone without good training slips through the cracks, they don't last long. There are a few language schools here that might hire you and give you their own in-house training. The pay is not great, but at least you won't go in cold. But there aren't that many of them, so that really limits your options. You don't have to have a pricey CELTA, there are other options, especially here in Mexico City, that will give you decent training for a reasonable cost.
'

Prof.Gringo

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 1:40 am Post subject:

thelmadatter · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 1:53 am Post subject: degree

What's your degree in?

Isla Guapa · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 1:59 am Post subject:

Dragonlady · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 3:13 am Post subject:

deleted

response did not address OP's inquiry

Isla Guapa · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 3:18 am Post subject:

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 9:11 am Post subject:

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 9:17 am Post subject:

Germanicus · Joined: 03 Sep 2010 Posts: 19 Location: Ireland

Thanks all for the info. My degree is in Humanities, main subjects English Lit, Philosophy and Psychology. I agree that some kinda TEFL is advisable but my funds are very limited so reckon I'll do just a weekend 'hands on' course so I can at least prepare a class. Maybe my funds will be closer to US2000. I can stay with my friend no prob so no rent and will only have to split the grocery bill. Once again, thanks for the responses. Very Happy

Isla Guapa · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 4:23 pm Post subject:

If taking a good TEFL course will not be possible right now, you should look for work at one of the language schools that offers training to new teachers. I haven't worked at one of those places in years, but maybe another poster, like TeresaLopez, can offer suggestions as to where to apply.

Good luck!