Job Discussion Forums

[willpeach85]

Spent a good few hours browsing the forums and thought I'd post directly about my aims and objectives to see what you all think.

Objective: to reach a high level of Spanish within a year

After much consideration I've settled on Mexico as the place to help me to do this, specifically I'd like to enroll on a University course in Oaxaca and find sufficient teaching hours to sustain my studies.

I'm looking to go mid-Sep and to take around 2K in savings with me. I'm CELTA qualified, a British native speaker with several years experience.

Questions:
1) What are sufficient monthly living costs in Oaxaca? (I am not a lavish one, but like a bit of a drink and eating out now n' again)
2) What can I expect to earn with a teaching/university position there?
3) How readily available are jobs here/am i better off focusing on another area/city/region or even COUNTRY to best achieve these goals?

I concede that it will be rather hard to immerse myself in Oaxaca which is why I'm running these plans through...

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Isla Guapa]

Oaxaca is one of my favorite cities in Mexico, and I'm sure you'll have an enjoyable year there if that's where you end up. However, keep in mind that it will be difficult to become even somewhat fluent in Spanish in a year, unless you already have some facility with the language. And if you�ll be spending a good bit of your time teaching English, that will slow down your progress as it will interfere with your plan to, as you put it, "immerse" yourself in Oaxaca and in Spanish.

[BadBeagleBad]

Regardless of where you end up, my suggestions would be the same for any country. If you want to learn as much Spanish as you can as quickly as you can, find a place to live in an area where locals live, not in a trendy or touristy area. Better yet, rent a room with a family, or get a local room mate. Shop in local markets, take public transportation. Watch TV, read newspapers, do everything you possibly can in Spanish. And Isla�s advice was good, start learning the basics now so you�ll have a head start when you get where you�re going.

[willpeach85]

Gracias por sus palabras. Muy utiles!

Como puede ver, yo se la lengua basicos.

I have been studying since the start of the year but thanks for the hacks.

What do you think of the overall plan though? Doable?

Would other areas in LA be more suited or perhaps, due to visa stipulations, I should stick to Spain?

[Phil_K]

I recommend this guy's blog:

http://www.fluentin3months.com/

[Isla Guapa]

[willpeach85]

@Phil

Ya conozoco este sitio, en realidad es que ayudarme mucho.

Looking at Mexico City or Spain me thinks.

[Isla Guapa]

[Phil_K]

[Dragonlady]