Job Discussion Forums

[mstiff84]

I recently completed my TEFL cert. and got a list from the company of schools to apply to. There are almost 300 on this list, knocking off Berlitz drops it down to about 200 something. Either way, I was wondering if anyone had any advice on language schools. Ive seen some things about Berlitz, Hammer Hill, etc. and I chose not to send anything to them unless I am in Mexico and can check it out.

I have teaching experience but, I have not completed my B.S yet. I started to send out my CV (functional because of my various types of jobs) and cover letter. I find myself sending a lot of blind emails found on the site;[email protected]. Is that an issue? Do they really get them and look at them? Is it possible to be hired before the end of January?

Here are some of the schools that Ive sent emails to:
IH Monterrey
Inst. Culturo Mexicano
Inst Mex NorteA de Relaciones Culturales
Instituto Franklin de Veracruz

Thanks in advance for your advice.

PS
I looked at city locations, I want to be near the water, and it seems most if not every city in Mexico has a beach. Is this true or is my imagination running away with me?

[Isla Guapa]

[TeresaLopez]

[quote="Isla Guapa"]

Most cities in Mexico do not have a beach (where on earth did you get that idea?), especially the ones that offer the most job opportunities, such as Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.[/quote

Not only that, some of the cities that do have beaches have beaches that are not great. I like Veracruz for many reasons, but the beaches are terrible, dirty and fishy smelling, and the weather there can be quite extreme. Do yourself a favor and do some reading about Mexico in general and then settle on s few cities you�d like to work in. I would not recommened Monterrey at all right now, especially if you don�t speak Spanish.

[mstiff84]

I happen to have done some research on the cities that were on the list and all of them mentioned beaches. I asked the question because it seemed strange that land locked cities have such beaches that were described. Its funny that that was the only question answered out of my post, but either way, thanks? Im not looking for a resort beach to go swimming and tan on but something near the water. I dont even like swimming and I already have a natural tan

As for speaking Spanish, I am fluent. It will not be a problem communicating for me in Spanish and that is one of the reasons I picked Mexico as opposed to a place where I didnt speak the language at all.


Im not sure what you mean by "extreme" weather. I have lived on the equator, in the Amazon and even in "extreme cold of neg. 7F. Extreme is an understatement to say the least! lol If you are referring to the 90 degree weather that is not an issue for me. I have seen and heard a lot of complaints about that as well as rain. But as I mentioned above, I have traveled and have had my share of "extreme" weather conditions. And for some odd reason, this is why I picked Mexico.


Thanks again!

[TeresaLopez]

I would try to find some other email address to send a resume to, I don�t think that those blind emails are always seen by the correct person, or even forwarded. I sent several to different places a few years ago and then called to follow up and no one anywhere had gotten them. A small sample, admittedly, but still. You are probably going to have far better luck deciding where you want to live and then showing up and looking for a job. Most schools don�t hire from abroad. And a good part of getting a job in Mexico is being in the right place at the right time. January is a decent time to look for a job, if you are looking for work in a school school as opposed to a language institute. Institutes usually hire year round. Aside from brick and mortar schools you might want to look into business English classes, which are usually given on site at businesses. And, the extreme weather I was talking about wasn�t temperatures, but rather several foot tall floods, the kinds that wash away towns, and leave them cut off from, well, everything, for weeks. Like the weather parts of Veracruz was having not too long ago. Are you looking to go wherever you get a job or do you have some specific places you would like to live? Speaking Spanish will be of help in some places, especially in smaller towns. And, though you didn�t mention it, the fact that you said you are fluent in Spanish gives me the idea that you might be of Hispanic descent. If you are and have a Hispanic sounding name, take the time to make it clear on your resume that you are a native English speaker, even including where you went to High School, otherwise it might be assumed that you aren�t and some places will not even consider your application based solely on that.

[mstiff84]

[mstiff84]

[TeresaLopez]

[Isla Guapa]

[TeresaLopez]

[Isla Guapa]

[mstiff84]

I have read several books on mexico and looked at things online. I dont believe things I read thats why I asked. Maybe they were referring to the "beaches" you all mentioned. A lot of things are geared towards tourists and I hate that. I read a lot of diff things daily so I cant give u a site, but Im more than sure it was misleading by the eye rolling smiley in the previous post. lol

[Enchilada Potosina]

[mstiff84]

Ok. So this is what I seem to be getting. JUST COME TO MEXICO. Am I right?

I was thinking to stay in a hostel until I could find a school and apt, but how long does that usually take? Is there a strong Expat ESL community in most places where I would be able to find help or other resources like a room mate or anything?

[TeresaLopez]