Job Discussion Forums

junjun2586 · Joined: 26 Nov 2011 Posts: 11 Location: Montreal

Hi all,

I'm from Montreal, Canada, fully bilingual and looking to teach English in Mexico city. I've read, researched and heard about the CELTA program in International House. For those who have done a TESOL or TEFL or CELTA and had to find a job in Mexico, how was it for you? Are you glad with the certification you did? Which one was it? Do you regret not investing in a CELTA, for international reputation? Is anytime of the year possible to find a teaching job?

I would like to get a clear insight on how the job hunt is in TEACHING ENGLISH SECOND LANGUAGE. What your suggestions are, etc.

----i'm looking into Mexico city------

Thanks!

Prof.Gringo

New Haven · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 52 Location: Merida, Mexico

I did the CELTA at the International House, Playa Del Carmen. I chose that site mainly because I knew I would be looking for a job in Mexico and didn't want to go through the hassle of having my certification apostilled. I am very glad I did it...for me. No one here (Merida) cares about it or, with few exceptions, even knows what the CELTA is. You have heard it is a great program. It is. Everything I learned in CELTA I have used and continue to use...and I've taught all levels, regular and business English, in language schools, universities and private student settings. (But NOT primary-prepa. Wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole.)

I don't know whether schools in Mexico City know/care as little about the CELTA program as is the case here...but I would encourage you to do it for yourself if you have no prior substantive teaching experience.

Best time to look for a job is August-September for public schools and universities. Many language schools are on the semestral system also and, because of low retention, you can certainly add January into the mix. The only times that are not good are now (dia del Virgen de Guadalupe - January 1) and during Semana Santa.

Hopefully denizens of DF will chime in on the specifics there.

Best of luck.

Sharon

junjun2586 · Joined: 26 Nov 2011 Posts: 11 Location: Montreal

[quote="New Haven"

Enchilada Potosina · Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 344 Location: Mexico

The CELTA is good to have as it has the magic word, 'Cambridge' on it. Any tefl cert will do really, though.

doublethinker · Joined: 11 Mar 2010 Posts: 57

I did the CELTA at IH in Mexico City and I really liked it. Don't regret investing the money in it. I ended up staying in Mexico for personal reasons, but I did apply to a bunch of jobs in other countries, and got job offers everywhere I applied.

New Haven · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 52 Location: Merida, Mexico

Junjun:

I did the CELTA awhile ago (winter 2006), so some of this might no longer be applicable. I lived in the housing provided by IH and it was fine. I think everyone stayed there, and the fact that we werre all sharing the same space contributed to a sense of group camaraderie (sp?--too lazy to check). I declined the meal plan and those who took it were not happy, at least with breakfast. The cook never showed up at the appointed time.

I thought the program was pretty challenging, but I was one of the older students and was warned that it can be tough to keep up once you reach a certain age. I believe there were 12 of us...one or two flunked out and another fellow darn near did. What that meant for me was very little opportunity for lounging on the beach.

Cathy Poole was an excellent tutor...really top notch. The other person... not so good. I do not know if these people are still there.

I'm wondering if you have applied. The application process itself is fairly rigorous; I suspect if CELTA is as highly regarded now as then, they can afford to be quite selective. So you might apply if you haven't already...you always have the option of refusing if offered a spot.

doublethinker · Joined: 11 Mar 2010 Posts: 57

Oh yeah, another thought occurred to me...

If you are Francophone, there's also a lot of demand for French teachers, at least from what I've seen. Mexicans really dig French.

junjun2586 · Joined: 26 Nov 2011 Posts: 11 Location: Montreal

junjun2586 · Joined: 26 Nov 2011 Posts: 11 Location: Montreal

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

Enchilada Potosina · Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 344 Location: Mexico

reddevil79 · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 10:06 pm Post subject:

Yes, don't sell yourself short when it comes to giving private French classes. I was offered silly money to give private classes when I was in Guadalajara, it's a status thing more than anything. Anywhere where the wealthy congregate (gyms, private schools, etc.) is a good place to advertise.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:01 am Post subject:

And, if you end up in DF, some of the tonier High Schools (Miraflores, for example), require TWO languages to graduate, so advertising there would be a good way to get some students to tutor as well. And they all have money, and won't mind paying a native French speaker.

EFLeducator