Job Discussion Forums

[davidmsgi]

I am investigating English teaching opportunities at Tec Milenio University.
My class focus would be their 'advanced' levels of English.

Does anyone have experience / feedback on this institution?

I am exploring teaching options for both Prepa and University classes at this school. Any relevant information / insights would be greatly appreciated.

Regarding the Prepa level of the school - how would it compare with other High Schools in terms of student quality, teaching support, academic 'culture', etc.?

The location is Cuernavaca.

Thanks

[Enchilada Potosina]

Based on my experience with the SLP one, I would say avoid like the plague. I was promised a lot and after more than a month long process of interviews, form filling and bringing documents, the final 'offer' was an insult.

New teachers are given 2 subjects at most - 6 hours maximum for the first semester. Fine if you're working for fun and don't need the money.

You are also paid based on your qualifications and experience at the institution... so the pay is minimal.

[mejms]

Check out this post from yours truly:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=91892

I've lived here for awhile, so I know what (and what not) to expect, but TecMilenio is really bottom of the barrel as far as I'm concerned, especially when you consider how much they charge as a private school.

[davidmsgi]

If Tec Milenio is the 'bottom of the barrel', can you make any suggestions as to who/what school(s) represent the 'top of the barrel'?

Are there any schools in the country of Mexico worth working for?
(I thought the Tec de Monterey system was supposed to be pretty good)

Any positive alternatives would be a breath of fresh air.

[Enchilada Potosina]

Try the ITESM (Tec de Monterrey), at least the pay is decent. I mean, they're the creators of the aforementioned barrel excrement so it's pretty much the same only nicer packaging. Other than that I'd avoid the private 'education' system here completely.

Government unis are usually a good bet, the only thing you need to put up with there is the 'grilla' and you'll have to get in the Mexican way.

[Guy Courchesne]

Hmm...Tec was the critical rung on the ladder for my girlfriend into IB teaching and on into the upper crust of 'private' education here. Good mid-level place to work with international reach.

You really find government education better? Isn't government education here the reason for so much private education, including the good, the bad, and the ugly?

Tec Milenio I am not familiar with...what's the relationship to ITESM?

[MotherF]

Tec Milenio is like when a fancy-schmancy restaurant comes out with a line of frozen foods for mass consumption. Think ICEL or CNCI run by the Tec. Further proof that profit margin, not academic excellence is what motivates the Tec.

ITESM's rapid (and rampant) expansion in the last decade seriously hurt the quality of it's education and subsequently it's reputation. Many state universities are now routinely beating TEC's teams in national competitions.

[Enchilada Potosina]

[championthewonderhorse]

I have been working at ITESM for the last few years and I can safely say it is one of the best places to work here in Mexico.

Yes, the pay is the best ($370 + per hr), but you do have to do lots of work.

You also have a lot of freedom to organise the courses how you want (you have lots of materials to work with though).

MotherF stated the quality has been affected over the last 10 years which is probably true, but at least students have to work very hard to get their grades unlike many other places. I say to my students that they must do the work and give it to me on time, if they do, they will pass the course.

The only problem, like other unis, is that many teachers are not full-time and have a long summer without pay. 80% of all teachers here are like this.

Tec Milenio is another story ..... more like comparing a DVD - a bluray VS a tianguis rip off... stay well clear of it as other posts have said.

[mejms]

I can't speak about Tec de Monterrey, as I have no firsthand experience with them. I do think that the level of education is probably more polished than in other places, but a big old boys network with spoiled rich kids who feel entitled to buying good grades fits with what I've heard from teachers who have worked there.

All in all, with decent jobs few and far between, if I were specifically looking for a university job, Tec de Monterrey would be one of the places I would look into. I believe they require a Masters degree to teach English there, regardless of the subject.

[Enchilada Potosina]

[championthewonderhorse]

Sorry.. but I have to disagree with the last post.... even working 9 months of the year at ITESM I am able to make ends meet and quite well in fact. This is my only job presently.

Earning 25k per month x 9 months is pretty good. (I used to have 5 classes every day and earned 35k + but the schedule has changed). I also work for CELETEC (ITESM's language school) which has classes in the summer and this will hopefully expand soon.

How much do you guys spend???

[Guy Courchesne]

[EFLeducator]

[Enchilada Potosina]