Job Discussion Forums

[wildchild]

yeah man, anything is possible. and like i said above, it's his life...

but he can forget getting gig in a Uni....

how about a legit colegio?

[Dragonlady]

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old news

[Dragonlady]

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old news

[Oreen Scott]

Just in case someone gets the wrong idea, as a Canadian, I feel the need to refute the comment made about working in Canada as a teacher, without a degree. In all provinces, to work in both the public or private school system a person must have a BEd. There would be no exceptions.

The language schools require, in general, a CTESL certification, which means a BA in something and a CTESL certification from a recognized institution.

University language centers generally hire CTESL Master Degree teachers, but will occassionally hire as substitutes CTESL certified teachers without a Masters.

Canada has a national body with a fair amount of clout and we take pride in the standards we've set through the Canadian Benchmark System.

Perhaps, because I don't know, a private tutoring institution like Sylvan Learning would hire someone without appropriate credentials, but I say perhaps because I don't know. I seriously doubt it.

As for what it costs to live in Mexico. I started tracking my expenditures in September because I have a pension and decided this year to volunteer with street children, so I depend on a fixed income to live, which means I'm cautious with money. My pension puts into my bank account, converting to pesos $22,601/month.

My rent is $4,000 pesos, 2 bedroom, no pool, modest garden apartment - albeit fully furnished because I don't know how long I'll be in Oaxaca. But, all my utilities are paid for. So other than rent, food would be my only necessary expense. Except - Christmas is coming, need to buy gifts, went to a wedding in October - needed to buy gift - I think everyone knows the drill. As an FM-3 independent I have to pay an accountant to file an income report every month etc.. .etc... When all is said and done I'm living on about $12,500 pesos a month.

I have no car, walk everywhere and generally eat at home. From what I've seen, teachers who depend on their earned income - which is generally $12,000 pesos a month, can't save money and the few I knew with student loans returned to the U.S. because they couldn't make ends meet in Mexico.

I think I'll make one final point before I forever leave the topic of degree or no degree -- why would a teacher refute the value of education??? Makes no sense to me.

[Prof.Gringo]

[wildchild]

@dragonlady - you're hilarious!

oh and btw, why don't you list successful people WITH degrees? let us know when you've finished...

[Prof.Gringo]

[Prof.Gringo]

[wildchild]

[chenn0]

Goodness...Seems I'm a bit behind on my own topic!! Haha. I'm sorry for having caused such a fuss in this one guys. I agree with everyone though. One can make it (extremely well in some cases) in many places without the slightest degree. The ones with the degrees usually do, however, have better chances in being successful. I was only wondering what it is like in Mexico.

I mean, my girlfriend is from Mexico and her English teacher (a native Mexican) had no degree what-so-ever. He just had learned English well enough to teach it (and from what I hear, he really sucks at it).

So I understand everyone's input and thank you very much for it and will also put it in mind when I make my decision.

[norwalkesl]

[chenn0]

I get what you mean norwalkesl. Thank you.

[Phil_K]

[evolving81]

This got me to thinking... If I were taking a Spanish course at my university and my professor were a 20 year old Mexican dude I'd probably walk right out of the class. I don't know the reaction in a Mexican university to an unqualified American English teacher though.

With that said, I know some fairly stupid college graduates so...it's all relative.

[geaaronson]

Thank you, Norwalk, that was exactly my thinking. When you are a full time student in your teens, you have study skills that stay with you from semester to semester, as long as you put in the same effort. Even in the early 20�s finishing up your studies, you are at a point in your life you will never find it as easy to study. Taking a few years off and going to Mexico will put a dent in those study habits.

Returning to the USA to finish up your studies years later you may have complications with several financial issues, namely, getting the same student loan package, a personal need for a higher standard of living, a costly girl friend, or any number of additional responsibilities. Add to that, your out of shape study habits and getting that diploma will be all the more difficult.

Yes, it is possible to get way ahead in life without a college education. I would be a bit curious as to what the average I.Q. of all those wildly successful people you have mentioned is. They have innate abilities far and above those of the rest of us that propelled them to higher achievement levels, regardless of their lack of formal education. And for each one of those you have mentioned, how many degreelesss are slapping plaster on a drywall on a construction site.

I�ve known quite a few people who have dropped out of college who took many years to recuperate professional bearings. Some have never done so. And yes, I have also known some who were successful in their careers without the degree. It may be a matter of connections for many of the latter. Or they were just exemplary employees whose abilities stood out.