Job Discussion Forums

[Germanicus]

I've asked advice before on this but I'm still - understandably - nervous about committing myself to pulling into D.F. for the long haul. I'm 42,male and have just finished a 4 yr honours degree in Humanities. (I've no TEFL cert)So I'm thinking: go to D.F. and get signed up with a school like Harmon Hall or Interlingua,get training (unpaid of course) and then get a placement.Put my head down for a year or so, work hard and earn enough to have a decent living.I think a year is enough to give me experience for future negotiations on other jobs.Is any of the above unreasonable to expect? I have a good friend in DF so can stay there long term and therefore that pressure is off me initially.Am I being naive or is it an ok plan.Thanks for any advice.

[Guy Courchesne]

Sounds quite doable. My advice would be to make sure you have sufficient funds to cover your start up expenses, maybe a little extra for emergencies.

[Isla Guapa]

Sounds good to me too, especially if you have to stay for free, since rent would be your major monthly expense.

I'm not sure about this, but I think that Interlingua pays you something while you're being trained though Harmon Hall does not.

[Isla Guapa]

Sounds good to me too, especially if you have a place to stay for free, since rent would be your major monthly expense.

I'm not sure about this, but I think that Interlingua pays you something while you're being trained, though Harmon Hall does not.

[mejms]

I think you'll be okay, but be prepared for the reality of living modestly. I think you'll make $12,000 pesos a month if you're very fortunate. More likely $9,000. Even though you have no experience, you're BA is valid certification here. Don't go with a cheap, illegitimate operation that won't get you a visa or help you get one and just be paying you under the table with no official contract. Try to get longer-term stability from day one. All things considered, you'll be alright. Take care of your money.

[thelmadatter]

I think its doable as well, but Im not sure for the long term. I would look at this for one or two years and decide if EFL teaching is really for you. If you do, then you need to look into getting qualifications to be able to do this long term.

[TeresaLopez]

I completely agree with meijms. But, if you start in a chain school, and do a good job, and want to progress, you will make more money. I have worked for chain school, most notably Interlingua, and while the starting pay is not that great, they offer lots of training, and promote from within, so if you find you can abide their rather rigid method you can make some OK money after a year or so. So many people quote the starting pay as if that is what you are destined to make forever. For some people it IS, since they flit from school to school, never staying anywhere long enough to advance in status and pay. And I can�t stress enough the importance of working legally. If you work under the table and the school decides not to pay you, you have no recourse whatsoever, not only that but you can only stay for 6 months at a time. I have heard that eventually you will be able to stay only 6 months out of 12 on a tourist visa, to try to eliminate p�ople who actually live in Mexico on a tourist visa, not paying any taxes on their income, etc. Having a work visa gives you more rights, as well as obligations.

[Germanicus]

thelmadatter: The whole point of going the chain school route is so that I DO get proper qualification. And 2 yrs is pretty long term enough for me right now.