Job Discussion Forums

[skyhorse23]

Hi Folks,

Just wanted to let you know that ks13 sent me a private message in response to a request I made to her. If she wishes to share that information publicly I will leave that up to her to do that. It was helpful.

If I get any information from PV regarding the official status of the school I will share it on this forum. If I hear from the school, I will let you know.

Thanks again to all.

[roger1]

Hi skyhorse 23:
Why go through the qualms about training in Mexico?
Just get a legit TEFL or TESL certificate from a legit university in your home state. It doesn't appear that having a TEFL certificate from a Mexican insititution gives one a leg up anyway, other than maybe helping you with local connections (which might be reason enough, indeed!)

[MO39]

[skyhorse23]

Yes, it is less expensive than the course in the area where I live. And, in a less practical sense, I want the experience of doing this in Mexico.

[MO39]

[roger1]

True, it might be cheaper in Mexico. However I went thru the University of California EFL program, which is very reputable, and the whole thing cost less that $600US. But as for the students...when you do your practicum thru a State-side certificate program, your students will ALSO be (mostly) Mexicans! They make up the largest ESL student population by far in the States. There are pros and cons to everything I guess!

[MO39]

[guatetaliana]

Also, taking the course in Mexico would eliminate the need to get the TEFL cert apostilled, right? This would definitely make the FM3 process one step easier if that's true....


I also agree, having taught Mexican immigrants in the US and Mexican students in Mexico, I can say there is a huge difference!

[roger1]

[quote="guatetaliana"]Also, taking the course in Mexico would eliminate the need to get the TEFL cert apostilled, right? This would definitely make the FM3 process one step easier if that's true....

Now that's something I hadn't considered. So it is a fact that apostille-ing only is required for documents obtained OUTSIDE of Mexico? So any license, certificate, permit, official document obtained within Mexico by definition does NOT need to be apostilled? If true, that's a good point in Skyhorse's favor.

But regarding the original thrust of this topic---getting an ESL certificate in Mexico---I've read numerous negative comments about in-country ESL certificate programs, that they're scams, scurrilous, poorly-administered, incompetent, etc. etc.---that makes it seem counter-intuitive to get an in-country certificate when you could get a reliable one in your Stateside neighborhood. Cost-wise, don't you get what you pay for? I'd dearly like to boast of a CELTA certificate because CELTA seems to be the most-desired by hiring schools worldwide, even more than a U. of California certificate, so what if it's very expensive?, CELTA makes you more marketable.

[skyhorse23]

Hi Folks,

I have some definitive information on UETI school in Puerto Vallarta. I spoke yesterday to the director. The school is open and has been continuously. The phone number did get changed and the web site was down for a while, hence the uncertainty about its status. But I am now confident that it is a reliable option for studying EFL and is operating well.

I thought it important to pass this information on.

[meatwad]

I worked at UETI for 8 months and finished up there in February 2008. I can assure you that they are still in business as I drive past the school on a daily basis. I have a negative perspective on UETI. Some people have positive things to say but ask anyone who has worked there and they will tell you that the director is an idiot and the school is terrible.

I did the ITTO course in Guadalajara in July 2006 and having been able to compare both courses. I would recommend ITTO. You get more for your money. I don't have many good things to say about the director of UETI, Chris, however, his TEFL program had some good points. On the down side, it won't leave you prepared to teach in other schools after you leave. His TEFL program is directly connected to his English school and you only learn their program. So, if you were to work in another school not following that program you would have some problems. One example, you never actually have to make your own lesson plan from start to finish - His program is so rigid that... it's a useless program that doesn't work, his students that study for 12 months can't even speak English. Also, the way their school is set up (each classroom has 4 whiteboards) you are programmed to teach in a specific way and become reliant on having multiple whiteboards. How many schools have more than one whiteboard in the classroom? Not many. A good TEFL program teaches you the skills you need to walk into any school and teach their program. ITTO does that to a certain extent.

So just to let everyone know. UETI is still in business, but ITTO is a lot better... just compare the websites and that will give you a good idea of how shoddy UETI is.

[Chris in PV]

My name is Chris, I am the director at UETI. This posting is to clarify �Meatwad�'s March 12, 2009 references regarding our UETI program and practices.

Yes, UETI is open and has been in continuous operation since 2003.

Yes, our TEFL program and our English school are connected. Our 12 level English program is known throughout Puerto Vallarta as "the English school with lots of speaking (activities)".

Yes, our TEFL trainees work side-by-side in classroom with our instructors with real students from the start of the program to the end of the course.

Yes, all our classes are taught from daily, teacher prepared, detailed lesson plans that have been pre-approved by UETI, which outline every minute of every 50 minute class - these plans include our proven daily balance of reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Yes, all classrooms are equipped with four white boards used during each and every class for the various activities.

Yes, our program a is quite �rigid�. All teachers arrive 15 minutes before classes start (in a neat, clean and professional ironed uniform appearance), sign-in/out, and keep all of their material organized and updated for daily review.

As we advise all our TEFL program candidates; as a pre-requisite to accepting any job or enrolling for any course, always contact others who have worked / studied there before, and to additionally contact those who are currently working / studying there, and will be there upon the candidates arrival.

In closing, UETI welcomes any/all questions, comments, requests for additional information and/or references regarding our programs and practices, via this website or directly via our email address.

Chris

[geaaronson]

Having read meats posting twice-the complaints seem to be so minor that I don`t understand the beef.
As for 4 blackboards in one classroom....I don`t see how any lesson plan would be so structured with 4 boards making it impossible to adapt it to a single blackboard.
Secondly, to call the owner of a school an idiot without substantiating that claim, leaves something to be desired. Bandying such words on an open forum speaks mightily of the lack of civilty on his part. Again, substantiate such an opinion or shut up. I am annoyed with such language. Chris may or may not be an idiot, but if you can`t be more detailed in your criticism, begone.
Then there`s the incorrect grammar which unintentially contradicts meatwad`s intent....I quote ��f you were to work in another school not following that program you would have some problems�. For the meaning of this sentence to flow with the rest of the gist of what you are saying you would have to delete the word �not�.
As for students studying for 12 months...that`s not at all unusual for a beginner student. It may take a student 3 or 4 years before he is conversant in any foreign language.

Yes, several TEFL programs do structure their instruction over the curriculum offered in their language schools. What else would you expect? Now it`s up to you to adapt the teaching principles you learned in the program to teaching elsewhere.

I do not know the program in question, nor do I know the two of you at all, even in the internet sense, but to make your case Meatwad, you must make a more intelligent, persuasive argument. Otherwise, you get a big 0 in my course.