Job Discussion Forums

willpeach85 · Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 16

Spent a good few hours browsing the forums and thought I'd post directly about my aims and objectives to see what you all think.

Objective: to reach a high level of Spanish within a year

After much consideration I've settled on Mexico as the place to help me to do this, specifically I'd like to enroll on a University course in Oaxaca and find sufficient teaching hours to sustain my studies.

I'm looking to go mid-Sep and to take around 2K in savings with me. I'm CELTA qualified, a British native speaker with several years experience.

Questions:
1) What are sufficient monthly living costs in Oaxaca? (I am not a lavish one, but like a bit of a drink and eating out now n' again)
2) What can I expect to earn with a teaching/university position there?
3) How readily available are jobs here/am i better off focusing on another area/city/region or even COUNTRY to best achieve these goals?

I concede that it will be rather hard to immerse myself in Oaxaca which is why I'm running these plans through...

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Isla Guapa · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:17 pm Post subject:

Oaxaca is one of my favorite cities in Mexico, and I'm sure you'll have an enjoyable year there if that's where you end up. However, keep in mind that it will be difficult to become even somewhat fluent in Spanish in a year, unless you already have some facility with the language. And if you�ll be spending a good bit of your time teaching English, that will slow down your progress as it will interfere with your plan to, as you put it, "immerse" yourself in Oaxaca and in Spanish.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 4:19 am Post subject:

Regardless of where you end up, my suggestions would be the same for any country. If you want to learn as much Spanish as you can as quickly as you can, find a place to live in an area where locals live, not in a trendy or touristy area. Better yet, rent a room with a family, or get a local room mate. Shop in local markets, take public transportation. Watch TV, read newspapers, do everything you possibly can in Spanish. And Isla�s advice was good, start learning the basics now so you�ll have a head start when you get where you�re going.

willpeach85 · Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 16

Gracias por sus palabras. Muy utiles!

Como puede ver, yo se la lengua basicos.

I have been studying since the start of the year but thanks for the hacks.

What do you think of the overall plan though? Doable?

Would other areas in LA be more suited or perhaps, due to visa stipulations, I should stick to Spain?

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

I recommend this guy's blog:

http://www.fluentin3months.com/

Isla Guapa · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:51 pm Post subject:

willpeach85 · Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 16

@Phil

Ya conozoco este sitio, en realidad es que ayudarme mucho.

Looking at Mexico City or Spain me thinks.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 5:33 pm Post subject:

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Dragonlady · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:12 pm Post subject:

tagastelum · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 1:32 am Post subject:

Although simply moving to Mexico, doesn't always guarantee 100% immersion, of course it's a solid place to start. There are some things you can do to help.

1. Make a connection with a Mexican family. This can be through a homestay or (I highly recommend) even more effective, with a girlfriend/boyfriend with whom you establish Spanish as your default language from the very beginning. (If you start off speaking English, you'll probably remain speaking English with each other in my experience.)

2. Make Mexican friends. I know, I know, this is basic, but it's also harder than you might think. In Mexico, I've found that most people stick to the same social circle they established in school. It's not always easy to penetrate these circles. However, if you're friendly, persistent and demonstrate a commitment to speaking Spanish, you'll eventually be welcomed!

3. Read. Read. Read. Make a commitment to reading a few stories in the local newspaper every day. (Online is fine, but a real paper in a caf� is even better since someone may start up a conversation with you about the day's events.) Keep a dictionary on hand. This will help boost your vocabulary and help you familiarize yourself with common structures.

4. Download music and lyrics and listen while you read!

5. Don't subscribe to cable tv! Many of the programs are in English and you'll be tempted to watch English tv as a way to unwind and cope with culture shock. Even if you think you have great will power, believe me, it will crumble. You won't want to watch Mexican tv...it stinks!

Good luck on your Mexican adventure!

willpeach85 · Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 16

Thanks for all the help peeps.

Is Oreen Scott still active on the forums?

Any of you in Mexico City? I'm thinking of switching locations and was wondering would recommendations you had over start up costs in Mexico as well as what job prospects there are in early September.

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

For Mexico City, early September is just a few weeks after the start of the school year if you want to teach kids or teens. There are sometimes still positions to fill at that time but arriving a few weeks earlier would be better if you swing it.

If you plan to teach adults at a language institutes or in the business English class circuit, then September is fine.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 5:42 pm Post subject:

willpeach85 · Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 16

@Guy Muchas gracias por su ayuda. I have experience with both but in terms of my objective which do you think is better suited? Will language insitutions and the business circuit free up with more study hours? Or is the other way around? If I was to come primarily for teaching kids, peak hiring time is mid-August right?