Job Discussion Forums

[TeacherTrekker]

I am a certified teacher with a Masters in Education and a Masters in English with 3 years teaching experience (7th & 8th grade) interested in finding summer employment in Mexico before heading off to teach in Korea for the year. I don't, however, have a TESOL/TEFL certification.

I am not looking for big bucks (I know the pay is not good) just something to get me out of town and see a new culture for a bit. I do get paid by my current job during the summer months, so I am only looking for enough money to get by in Mexico, not to take any money home. I have limited Spanish experience: 3 weeks at a language school in Guanajuato and 2 weeks at a language school in Spain, but I tend to pick it back up quickly especially speaking French fluently.

Some other options I've thought about, although I don't know if they exist in Mexico are:
-homestay in exchange for language lessons
-summer camp
-language school instruction in exchange for homestay

Does anyone have any ideas or can point me in the right direction... good websites or tell me to forget about it?

Also, if this helps, I realize there are other places to work in the summer for more pay, but I thought Mexico would be a good start, as the plane tickets are cheap (I'm from Oregon and its about $300-400), I want to improve my Spanish, and I do have friends in Mexico that I would like to visit.

Thanks for your help!

[geaaronson]

I don`t think youre going to have much luck with those plans. Why not just come here and volunteer for free, teaching English. I doubt anyone is going to hire you for 3 months.

[Guy Courchesne]

If Mexico City is within your interest, you could try the American School Foundation http://www.asf.edu.mx/ They have a variety of summer positions they are looking at filling now.

[TeacherTrekker]

Thanks for the suggestions! I think this is some good information, basically, not a lot of opportunities to teach for pay/compensation in the summer in Mexico. I also got a good lead on the Suenos Compartidos program which I am looking into.

So I guess to broaden my search a little, does anyone know of any schools/countries where I might extend my search for summer work that are Spanish speaking, preferably Latin American?

Again I am not interested in bringing in big bucks, just a new opportunity to travel and experience a new culture, but not somewhere where I wouldn't have to pay much beyond my own personal expenses (food & travel).

Thank you for all of your wisdom!

[mejms]

Language schools (and colegios, as Guy mentions) often offer summer camp programs for kids. From what I've seen, especially the smaller, less organized schools rely on volunteers from the states to come run the activities for the summer camp. In exchange, you receive a homestay (which very well might be with the family of a kid in the camp, so that they in turn don't have to pay... I think you get the picture) an an opportunity to experience Mexican culture and practice your Spanish. My advice? Google summer camp programs in Mexico, look for volunteer positions. If you can find a place to stay and eat for free, I'd forget about making a little money on the side.

[Dragonlady]

[MotherF]

Since working visas can take several weeks to arrange--finding such short term work is unlikely.
However, I think you'd have good luck contacting a language school that gives classes for foreigners and arranging some sort of summer exchange with them. Spanish classes, and possibly a homestay, in exchange for English classes. That way no cash changes hands and a working visa is not an issue.