Job Discussion Forums

[Professor]

I thought I would start a thread that asks for SPECIFIC information on how one could go about developing professionally in the EFL field in Mexico. Since I'm not the cream that rises to the top I figured that the many here that are the cream that rises to the top could give some information for the newbies and those like myself who have been teaching here for a while without much success. I'll start.

Join MEXTESOL and attend the monthly Saturday meetings as well as the yearly conference.

Read books on professional development in the EFL field.

Study the TOEIC and TOEFL

Any other information and/or wisdom by the creamy ones is welcome and appreciated.

[MotherF]

As a new teacher I was really lucky to be able to work with a group of experienced professionals who were more than willing to share ideas and give me feedback on my lesson plans and classes. I think I've learned more from talking with colleagues than any other way.

You could also do additional study, maybe by distance. I have a distance diploma in ELT management from International House which I did while here in Mexico.

The British Council also offers (or did, they seem to have cut back) periodic conferences and training sessions.

There are other online communities that focus more on the academic side of TEFL as well. http://iteslj.org/links/ is a good place to look for things like that.

[Phil_K]

I second MotherF's initial thoughts. All we can do is observe, communicate, think, learn from our mistakes and push onwards. Also, we can think about what we can offer that sets us apart from the herd. Can we bring something original to the table? Talking to other teachers is one thing, but how about talking to potential students too? What do they REALLY want? Can we provide it?

[Professor]

Talk with the STUDENTS...see what THEY need and want. Good idea. Anything else??

[gregd75]

1. Subscribe to the EFL gazette. I get an email letting me know when the latest edition is available to read for free online.
2. Sign up to MacMillans free webinar sessions
3. Look at 'humanising language teaching'- they have a regular magazine
4. Get on the US state department (Mexico City office) mailing list to find out about latest developments and opportunities.
5. Ask English First to put you onto their mailing list- they have free sessions once or twice a year.
6. Don't just join MEXTESOL.... think about how you could offer a workshop! The experiences we have in our classrooms could really help other teachers. Offer to do a workshop based on an area of EFL that interests you. It looks great on a CV
7. Contact Cambridge/ British Council / International House and ask if you could be considered as an examiner.
8. Look into scholarships available for the TESOL/ IATEFL and other international conferences.
9. Volunteer with local schools- I was asked to judge a local bilingual schools spelling bee competition. I found it fascinating to go to another institution and see how it was different...

[Professor]

[Enchilada Potosina]

Learn Spanish (or another language or two) to a very advanced level. I think most people respect a language teacher that can speak a second language. Nothing more nauseating than monolingual language teachers.

[MotherF]

[Phil_K]

[Isla Guapa]

[mejms]