Job Discussion Forums

redlissa · Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Posts: 8 Location: Prescott, AZ

I have a BA in English and an AZ certificate. I've been teaching at a public high school for the last three years, and am fully proficient in language and grammar.

My husband and I want to move to Mexico this summer. He's planning on taking a complete, intensive course to be ESL certified, and I am wondering if I will have to do the same. I took and basic ESL foundations and theory course in college, but don't have an official ESL certification. What will I have to do to be employable in Mexico?

Also, is there a specific course you recommned for someone who has no teaching experience or training? Are there particular schools that offer certifications that are more desirable than others?

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

redlissa · Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Posts: 8 Location: Prescott, AZ

I mean I have a certificate to teach 7th -12th grade in the state of Arizona.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Unless you want to teach in an international school, a state teaching certificate from the USA doesn't mean much in Mexico. However, your current qualifications and experience should be enough to get you hired at many (most?) language schools.

Keep in mind that teaching "regular subjects" isn't the same as teaching ESL/EFL. Your foundations course should have given you some good insight, but I think you'd find a good course in ESL/EFL methods, approaches, and techniques very helpful. It most likely wouldn't be necessary in order to get a job, but it would make your job easier for you.

If you have the time, money, and interest, it certainly wouldn't hurt for both you and your husband (especially him with no training or teaching experience) to have one of those short-course EFL certificates on the CV. There are several rather well known short courses offered in Mexico: ITTO, CELTA, Innovative English, etc. (Other posters could probably give you a more comprehensive list along with locations.)

thelmadatter · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 4:00 pm Post subject: agree

I pretty much agree with Ben but it really depends on where you go in Mexico. if you go to a major city D.F, Guadalajara etc, check out the international schools and some private 'colegios' (Colegio Eton in Mexico City for example). A number of them offer some classes in English other than ESL. ITESM prepartoria (prepa) www.itesm.mx might be worth a look too.

redlissa · Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Posts: 8 Location: Prescott, AZ

thanks for the responses. if anyone could give the name of a school (i.e. vancover learning centre, ITTO etc.) i would really appreciate it. i am a little worried about paying for the school and then it not being credible or having a good job assistance program. is going to a CELTA certified school more beneficial than one that is not certified? if anyone could tell me their experiences with various schools it would be most helpful in my decision making. thanks ahead for any and all help.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Not only do international schools (American Schools in several of the major cities, Colegio Madison--based in Monterrey, Colegio Eton in Santa Fe at the west of Mexico City, Colegio Aleman--based in Torreon, etc.) teach other subjects in English (I have taught Speech and Research Methods, Literature, etc.), but they also pay better. One to avoid is Colegio Marymount in Cuernavaca, where the administration tosdies to a lot of kids that probably would not be spoiled brats if they didn't receive the princess/prince treatment at the school. Your background and teaching certificate would be fine in those places--although salary with only a BA not as high as for those teachers who have at least a Master's degree. Your husband could use an ESL certificate, but quite a few of the language schools have their own pre-service training programs.