Job Discussion Forums

LucyD · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 1 Location: England

Hi, I'm wanting some advice on teaching in Mexico. Basically, where do I start? I've got a certificate in TESOL, about 1 years experience teaching here in the UK. I want to spend 3-6 months teaching in Mexico, but I'm not sure the best way to go about it.
Any advice would be great!
Thanks
Lucy

MELEE · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 1:58 pm Post subject:

3 to 6 months? IMHO you'd be better off just packing your backpack and grabbing a guide book and tour Mexico if thats all the time you have.

You really need to commit to 1 to 2 years if you want to 1) learn Spanish (remember that you'll be teaching English all day) 2) get a feel for Mexican culture and 3) break even.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I agree with Melee. You barely have enough time to explore part of the country--and at that superfically. If you teach someplace during that time you will see very little. I spent a year exploring the area I was living in (through the mechanism of writing a couple of books in English and translating them in to Spanish)--with just a few trips to other states--before I started teaching, and was suddenly limited to day trips or trips during the school vacations. Give yourself a break, and just ENJOY Mexico!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

If you can dedicate 6 months, and not much less, you should be able to locate a position in a private language school...more likely in Mexico City, slightly less so in Guadalajara and Monterrey, and even less os in small centers.

Time of year is important too. Late August is a good time, right before Christmas is not.

Aaron · Joined: 31 Oct 2003 Posts: 1 Location: Mexico City

I think Melee is right. Six months is not very long. The more time you can dedicate to teaching, learning about the culture, learning the language (so you can understand better what a person learning English is going through...) the better.

Teaching really happens when you get relationships going (professional ones) with your students. I think you would just be starting to see that happen when your six months are up! I suggest, if you can, to give some more time. A year or two?

Take care,
Aaron Nelson