Job Discussion Forums

[BadBeagleBad]

The CENEVAL exam is hard. It isn't something you are likely to take, and pass, without a 4 year degree. I know someone who recently attempted it. She wanted to do it to get her Cedula because she didn't want to write a Thesis. She has a 4 year degree as well as some other course, and she didn't pass. I am not saying you are not going to be able to teach. But you seem to want to take a lot of shortcuts into a profession that really requires a 4 year degree to get a decent job. My suggestion would be to get a Teacher's Diploma from the best school you can get into, they are not all the same. Work in a language school for a while to get experience. Then you could move up from there. You might be able to get a SEP job in a small town with enough experience. Not in a High School, but maybe in a primary school. Or, you might be able to get a job in a private primary school as a native speaker. There are places that require a TKT, and there is a book you can get to study for it on your own. But, it doesn't teach you how to teach, it is all just theory. Assuming you want to be a good teacher, you need a training course with some hands on experience and observed teaching.

[MotherF]

Mazapan, you didn't mention what part of Mexico you will be returning to. I do think this makes a big difference--I don't know how long you've been away from Mexico, but remember, it is a country that holds multiple truths.

Isla, remember that prepa/bacchirato is beyond mandatory education in Mexico, so while the SEP or state educational institutes monitor that level they do not "control" that level the way they do primaria and secundaria. Prepa teachers do not go to the Normal. And which would be better to teach English, someone who knows English, like Mazapan, or someone with a 4 year degree and an inkling of English? Neither have teacher training. Two weeks ago we ran a course for such teachers here in Oaxaca, their typical path to English teacher hood was the school hired them to teach something else, say, basic computer skills, and they knew a little more English than any of the other teachers on staff so the principal also gave them a couple of English classes to teach!

In the state of Oaxaca, Mazapan will not be able to get a job in a public primary or secundary (unless s/he can inherit one from a parent) without having attended a Normal. BUT s/he could potentially get a job at a public Bacchirato such as COBAO, CBTa, CBTis, CEYCTE, etc. To get a job at one of the UABJO Prepas, he or she would have to be a graduate of the UABJO. To get a job at a private colegio teaching any level, he or she would just have to show up at the time of an opening!

Mazapan, I suggest you first try your hand at a language school that offers it's own in house training such as Harmon Hall. That will allow you to try on teaching and see if it's something you want to do before getting further training. If it is, then you can look into a degree program in language teaching at a Mexican university.

[BadBeagleBad]

[Isla Guapa]

MotherF and BBB have given Mazapan excellent advice. I have a tiny question for MotherF about this word: Bacchirato. I've always thought it was written this way: Bachillerato. Are both correct?

[MotherF]

No I was wrong, sorry. Too much multitasking and not enough attention on what I'm doing.

[mazapan]

well, guys, I think I got excelent input from all of you,and I really thank you all for that, to answer some of your questions, I will be going to coahuila,and as mother f mentioned, yes Im trying to get some sort of a good reputable cert, something that is recognized in most places,I heard that the tkt was fairly accepted , that's why I opted for it,what I had forgotten to mention before is my tesol from oxford,but even though I got the diploma Im not totally convinced that it was a good choice,becouse I received only sixteen hours of teaching observation, was good but not what I had thought, besides,I don't know if is a recognized cert. So, overall, what would be my best option? what would you recomend? I would like to stay in saltillo or torrreon; the tkt Im going to go ahead and do it , since Im almost there, but Im a litlle skeptical about the teachers diploma, I thought it was the same course everywhere, kind of standard syllabous,now seems that I was wrong. anyway,thank you motherf, and to you too bad beagle,I really appreciate your input,and whatever you recomend, I'll be taking it very seriously,

[BadBeagleBad]

As far as a Teacher�s Diploma, the curriculum is pretty much the same from course to course, it�s the quality of the teachers, and the school that is offering it, that make a difference. You need to look for one that is recognized by the SEP, this last year a lot of new courses came out of no-where because of the new SEP requirements, and they are not all recognized courses. The best one is the CELE, offered at the UNAM, and the equivilent other state universities. Another good one is offered by Universidad Panamericana, they actually use the same outline and most of the same materials as the CELE. It�s good to have a TKT too, a lot of places ask for that, but in addition to a Teacher�s not instead of one.

[mazapan]

this has been great, I got more than what I expected,information wise of course, but I have one more question for the well informed persons of this forum, namely badbeaglebad and mother f,since they are the ones that have provided me with a great deal of info. Would a teachers course online be good enough for beginers like me? or would I be wasting my time? I found one that seems legitimate,but Im a little hesitant becouse is onlilne. I would like to get one where I can get real actual teaching practice but that is not posible here in the US . anyway, tell me what's your oponion about it,Im very excited to get started in the teachers course but I want to get the best preparation I can according to my posibilities, thanks as usual, I'll be here under the tree waiting for your answers, bye

[MotherF]

My opinion is that observed teaching practice is very very important. Preferably with students of the same age group you will be teaching, but since you don't really know that yet, that's hard.
But online is better than nothing.
I think that for people in your position, that is Mexicans, who learned English living in the US, most jobs are gotten through connections. Someone you know, knows someone who knows someone who is looking for an English teacher. Start telling every single one of your contacts that you are returning to the region and hope to teach English. Someone will let you know if they know someone who can help. This is also a good way to find out if there is some essential piece of paper that you will need to have, because someone will get back to you with something along the lines of "My uncle says he can get you in at his school if you have X."

Good luck!

[Enchilada Potosina]

I don't know if just in SLP but most language schools here are DESPERATE for teachers, with or without qualifications, foreign or Mexican American. Don't begin to think you can make a living at these places here though. People do it either for pocket money or to bum around Mexico.

[Isla Guapa]

[Dragonlady]

[BadBeagleBad]

If you want to get a decent paying job you need an onsite course with at some observed teaching. The CELTA only does 6 hours, which I don�t think is very much. The Teacher�s Diploma course I took, which was only for teachers who already had at least a year of teaching experience, required 25 hours of observations of teachers and sample classes, as well as real observations. And even with the many years of experience I have I learned a few things. Many of the better schools are now requiring a SEP recognized Teacher�s Diploma, a TKT or other certificates, and the ones who will accept an online certificate, at least here in Mexico City, are on the lower end of the pay spectrum. Generally, the more credentials you have, the better the pay. I know of a couple of good course in Mexico City that cost less than a CELTA, are SEP recognized, and offer more practice teaching, if you want to PM me privately.

[Enchilada Potosina]

[Isla Guapa]