Job Discussion Forums

GregMac · Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 7

Hey everybody. Since I myself have gotten a lot of info here, I wanted to share with y'all some info. regarding a new CELTA course being offered in Playa del Carmen. It's being offered through International House- a highly regarded TEFL institution basaed in Barcelona. Here's the website:

http://www.ihrivieramaya.com/celta/tesol.html

See you there!

Greg.

P.S. Alright my reason for posting this info is also self-serving. I want to make sure that there are enough applicants to ensure that the course is a go. Embarassed

seaskyclay · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 32 Location: Vietnam

I am planning to attend the CELTA course in June. I figure I'll be a glad guinea pig for their new school in Playa. I'm very much looking forward to it since it's through IH *and* is a Cambridge moderated course. I'm hoping to find a year-long teaching contract somewhere in Latin America.[/i]

GregMac · Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 7

It's nice to know that someone else is taking the course. It sounds like it should be pretty interesting and Playa del Carmen should be an awesome location. The only struggle will be finding a way to manage the demands of the course along with sightseeing, snorkeling, diving, and nightlife. But I'm sure we'll figure it out. See you there. Greg.

chicagogirl · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Chicago, IL

Hi,
I was planning on attending ITTO in Guadalajara in June...how do you think this school compares? I will check it out!
Christina

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

Curios to know about if this course provider will be able to locate teaching jobs for program participants in Playa del Carmen. Has anyone heard of this?

GregMac · Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 7

Christina-
Can't really speak on behalf of ITTO but everything that I know about the CELTA course in Playa seems really positive. It is run by International House, which has a very good reputation as a language institution in Spain. It is also moderated by Cambridge (CELTA) which is known as the most widely recognized TEFL certification available. The only possible issue that I can see is the fact a that it is a new course. So there might be some bugs yet to be worked out. But I am also figuring that the teachers are not new to teaching TEFL. Anyway, my point is that it is probably at least as good a course as the one through ITTO.

Guy-
First of all, I see that you are in Acapulco. I also taught there for a year. If you haven't already, check out Hotel Boca Chica in Caleta. It's kind of nestled away but the owner Miguel is awesome, the food is great, and there is phenomenal snorkeling in a natural pool. As long as you buy a drink or two, you can snorkel, use the pool or use the beach chairs for a tan. Regarding whether or not this course provider provides job search assistance, do you mean for jobs in Playa del Carmen or jobs elsewhere? I don't think there are many, if any, teaching jobs available in Playa del Carmen but have heard of some people getting some private classes there. As far as general job search assistance, they state on their website that they will try and help you find a job after the course. However, since they are a new course in Mexico, I doubt that they would be able to find too much in Mexico. Maybe in Spain, though.

Hope that helps.
Greg.

seaskyclay · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 32 Location: Vietnam

International House has locations all over the world. (See www.ihworld.com .) This includes locations in Mexico City, Veracruz, Santiago, Montevideo, Buenos Aires and San Isidro. So, even if they can't help me get a job in the Yucatan peninsula, perhaps they can help me find a job at or near one of their other locations. I, too, was planning on taking the ITTO course in June before I heard about this new IH school.

About Playa del Carmen, I've vacationed a couple of times in the states of Yucatan and Quintana Roo and spent time in Playa. It's a really wonderful part of Mexico, as long as you avoid Cancun. The beaches are amazing. The coast of the peninsula has a lot to offer, including snorkling, and inland there are some really amazing ruins and colonial cities to see. I'm hoping to do some traveling in some of the other southern and eastern Mexican states before and after the course as well since there is so much of Mexico I haven't seen.

I look forward to meeting you guys in June. Very Happy

Stephanie

chicagogirl · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Chicago, IL

Hi everyone,
I'm considering this option...a little worried about job placement (since they are new) I would like to go to Guadalajara or Cuernavaca when i'm finished..any thoughts on this? Also, when is the June start date? I only saw May and August..will look again!
Thanks!
Christina

GregMac · Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 7

Hey Christina-
The June course begins on May 31 and ends June 25. Regarding finding work in Guadalajara or Cuernavaca- I only have experience teaching in Acapulco but the general conseus here on this forum is that the best way to get a job in Mexico is to basically just arrive in the town where you want to work and start banging on doors (can be a daunting prospect, but as long as you have a little bit of money, it won't be a problem- Mexico is a very easy country to travel). Very few teaching jobs in Mexico are arranged in advance. Hopefully IH Playa del Carmen will at least be able to provide us with contact info for schools in Mexico but if not, the information is relatively easy to find on the internet. Anyway, hope to see you in Playa.
Greg.

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

Hi Greg...yeah I'm somewhat based in Acapulco...tend to move around a lot for work though. My comment on the courses in Playa del Carmen was to get a guage on our competition.

Where were you working in Acapulco? I know the Boca Chica...have sent some teachers there who stayed in Acapulco after our courses.

PM me...would like to get to know about your experiences

seaskyclay · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 32 Location: Vietnam

Guy:

Which school are you with? ITTO?

Stephanie

magpie · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 54

I am urrently taking the CELTA course in Playa. This is our last week. If you�re interested in our experiences, let me know. I�ll be more than glad to share information with those of you planning on coming her for the next round.

GregMac · Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 7

Hi. I'm taking the June course and would love to here all about your experience with the course and in Playa.
Much appreciated,
Greg.

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

Teachers Latin America, a part of Teachers International...

chicagogirl · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Chicago, IL

Magpie,
Hi....so you are currently enrolled at the playa school? How is it? and how is Playa del Carmen as a location...I haven't really looked into that part of Mexico. How are the classes? Is there help with C.Vs and job information in Mexico? I've been concentrating on enrolling in ITTO in Guadalajara...had you researched that school and made any comparisons? Its hard to pick based on website info! Thanks for any advice/info! Razz

Christina