Job Discussion Forums

srtab · Joined: 16 Oct 2005 Posts: 24 Location: Arizona

Hi, I've been reading lots of posts and come across different information. Also checked out www.teachermexconnect.com. It sounds like it makes things easier if you get certification (also for the job finding help?)

I have a BA in Secondary Education (Spanish) in Arizona. I'm about to finish my first year teaching. I'm going to teach high school here for one more year (so my cerfificate will be permanent, although I've heard a US teaching certificate doesn't matter in Mexico).

I am thinking about job hunting in on my next spring break (March 2007) to try and set up a job for Summer/Fall 2007. I don't want to leave my job here unless I have a decent teaching job lined up for me. I won't be able to take a TEFL course in Mexico before then.

So, I guess it comes back to, how necessary/helpful is the certification to find a job? I would be interested in getting it, but I want to know I would have a guarenteed decent job.

Thanks for any help guys! This forum is great!

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

I agree with BRdB. If a school has a position available, they will likely want to fill it ASAP. If you aren't available for three months, and the next teacher to walk in looking for work can start right away, they're likely to hire the one ready to begin.

srtab · Joined: 16 Oct 2005 Posts: 24 Location: Arizona

So, it sounds like, I should job hunt over the summer?

Is it easier then, to take a TEFL course and have that help find me a teaching position?

By decent job, I mean that it's a job with ok pay (I understand that I don't have a lot of experience and none in teaching English), but more important that I'm not miserable with a crazy schedule. It would be nice to work somewhere that I was supported with some kind of curriculum/textbook. It sounds like there are places that don't do that?

Also, would I have a good chance of getting a job somewhere I wanted? I'm thinking of Guadalajara, but I'm open. Just don't want to live in BFE or DF really.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

BFE isn't in Mexico, so no problem there. Smile

grahamcito · Joined: 11 Sep 2004 Posts: 90 Location: Guadalajara

What�s BFE?

acronymfinder.com says it stands for "Bum Freak Egypt (polite form)" Shocked

srtab - Guadalajara is a good place to look for work, there are plenty of opportunities and it�s a very pleasant place to live.

But what do you mean by "ok pay"? English teachers in Mexico generally work hard for very basic pay (especially when starting out).

And about TEFL: in some countries in Latin America, TEFL is essential; in Mexico, you can often find work without it, but it�s difficult and less reliable. The question is "Would I feel comfortable working for an employer who didn�t require me to have it?"

cwc · Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 372

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

I think Grahamcitos's opinions best apply for people who have nothing by way of training or a related degree against those who only have a TEFL course behind them. Green or a lighter shade of green.

Then you can ask yourself about employers and their interior decorating tastes. Thrown to the wolves with not much more than a smirk and a dictionary is not an ideal.

The OP shouldn't have any trouble finding work...maybe not in business EFL, but there are plenty of kids out there to teach. Since DF is out, you wouldn't be looking at the most demanding jobs anyway.

What is BFE?

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946