Job Discussion Forums

MELEE · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 11:35 pm Post subject: I thought I'd add

Hello all of you looking to do a training course in Mexico (or anywhere in the world for that matter).

I just thought I'd give you my point of view as an employer of Native Speaking English Teachers in Mexico. I don't hire many people straight off any type of course, as we usually hire teachers will ample experience and advanced training. But we do, from time to time, need a warm body to fill an opening and consider applicants who would not otherwise be on our short list.

So, if I was going to hire someone straight off a course, it would be someone with a CELTA from a well known CELTA provider. I would consider International House right up there. I would take an applicant straight off this course in Playa del Carmen, even though it is bran spanking new, over applicants straight off any other course in Mexico. None of the other courses that are frequently mentioned in this forum have anywhere near the type of accrediation and standarization that CELTA courses have. I wouldn't pay money to attend any of the other courses, nor would I feel comfortable gambling my institutions money and reputation hiring someone who had just completed one of them and had no experience to back up their training.

My 2 pesos,

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

Hi Melee,
Thanks for your 2 pesos...So from that, I"m assuming I shouldn't consider ITTO in Guadalajara? I have a College degree, but not much teaching expierience..I've been a volunteer ESL teacher for almost a year...does that count for experience?

I'm just curious how everyone else gets jobs with out experience, from what I've researched the Tefl certifate is the best way and from what your saying...its not...? What do you reccomend for all of us "newbies" ? Are there really that many jobs out there?

Thanks again for you input!
Christina

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I don't know about the market about teaching in Mexico, but I have been around awhile. Yes a TEFL certificate is worthwhile, especially if it's a CELTA. I have hired teachers in the past and of course we always preferred ones with experience. However, we don't always get what we want. I have hired teachers without experience if they have a well-known TEFL and they have given me the impression that they know what they are doing. You will need to sell yourself if you want to get that first job. You may want to get "any" job at first, just to get that experience and then move onto a better school. That's how most have us got our feet wet. Then later you'll laugh about it to yourself and say" I can't believe I worked there".

Nate · Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Posts: 61 Location: Korea

So has anyone taken the course and have any opinions on it?

The cost is high but other than that...

Magpie got me interested and now I would like to know more. Thanks. Very Happy

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

Magpie attended the first and only course that has been taught by IH Riviera Maya and she's the only one we've heard of from that group.

The second course begins on May 31st. I'll be there! Anyone else registered? I'm really looking forward to it, especially just being on that part of the Caribbean coast. It's so beautiful there.

Stephanie

MELEE · Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2004 10:55 pm Post subject:

magpie · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 54

To all of you interested in taking the CELTA in Playa del Carmen. If you can, yes, arrive a few days early or stay on a few days after the course. It is extremely intense (you will be working more like 12-15 hours a day, except on days when you don't teach.) I did not have any ESL experience before taking the course, but I do have 6 years of teaching high school English/Speech and years of corporate training experience, and I STILL worked VERY VERY hard. You will need time to unwind after the course or to get your "vacationing" done beforehand. You will have time for, and must take advantage of, a few margaritas after class!

I took the CELTA because regardless of how good other TEFL courses are and whatever posts indicate job placement help is available, in the end currently CELTA and Trinity are hands down the best known and yes, you are buying the name. Down the road in time maybe things will be different and other certificates will be more recognized (deservedly so!) and of course, as teachers gain experience that is more important than where your cert came from. But, starting off, from my perspective, I wanted a certificate that gave me the flexiblity of going anywhere in the world. AND, the CELTA in Playa was less costly or equal to that of other certificates I could have taken. If you can stay in Mexico to job hunt DO IT!

The initial class for March was small--only 7 students and we worked very well together. There were only 3 of us who wanted to stay in Mexico and obtain jobs. I was offered a position (from an ad on the internet) at a small school in a very small town within 2 weeks after I finished the class. The reason I am telling you this is that it IS hard to find a job anywhere and the local IH providers out of Mexico City were not helpful in the least so we were left to our own devices. I think if I had not taken the CELTA AND not had any teaching experience I might still be looking. The fact that I had to return home and not stay and travel and job hunt as 2 of my classmates did, made it harder. However, I was looking for a school that would give me experience in ESL, improve my Spanish and still give me enough work/pay to live on. I did not want to be in a language mill or live in flat with 6 roommates. Each of us has certain priorities and this job met mine, although it probably would not meet someone else's.

I wish all of you the best of luck. Follow your dream! Take the course, prepare a terrific resume/CV and if you can stay in Mexico and job hunt.

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

Magpie, thanks for all of your valuable input. I feel so fortunate to have some idea of what to expect, regarding workload, going in to this course.

After working very hard to accomplish what needed to be done to cut the strings from my former life, I am now on vacation and will be until I start school in August or September, aside from the month working on the CELTA. I'm spending three weeks in Florida, where I am now. Then, two weeks traveling around Mexico before settling into Playa. After the CELTA, I'll take a few days to enjoy the coast before heading to Guatemala to study Spanish for the remainder of the summer. Between the CELTA and the Spanish classes, it won't be very restful, but I'm sure I'll find the time to enjoy the beauty around me and a margarita here and there. Smile

Take care,

Stephanie

siriol · Joined: 02 May 2004 Posts: 1

Hi, I'm also registered for the May 31st Course. I have friends that studied/worked at the Barcelona branch and they all rave about the company. I cant wait to get there!! I know we will be working our arses off but at least we will be doing it somewhere beautiful!
I arrive in Cancun on the 25th and get to Playa del Carmen on the 27th if anyone wants to hook up beforehand.

Jackie

magpie · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 54

The two tutors for the March class were Francesca and Gerard from IH Barcelona, but it is my understanding that neither will be teaching the next course as they had other commitments. However, if the tutors for the June class are anywhere near as qualified (and fun!) all of you will learn a great deal and enjoy your experience.

You may have an advantage that our group didn't--since it's now low season most of the tourists will be gone, hopefully, and the town will be decidedly quieter. All of our group had trouble studying and sleeping because of the nonstop noise.

TIP!!! If any of you can get your hands an item called "tak" the silly putty-like stuff that you can put on the back of items to stick them to walls, get it before you go!!!! It comes in blue or white but I don't have a brand name to share, sorry. We used it a lot in class and only one guy had some and we all shared. None ofthe local school supply stores had any idea what it was. It will help you used pictures and word cards in your lessons.

MELEE · Posted: Fri May 14, 2004 5:24 pm Post subject:

So Magpie,

Were you able to find a job here in Mexico after all?

magpie · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 54

MELEE:

Yes, I did find a job. I accepted an offer a couple of weeks after I finished the CELTA course. I will be teaching in a small town in Verazruz beginning in August. Being older than most teachers, I was not looking so much for a large city with great nightlife as I was a place where I could really get experience teaching and improve my Spanish. I am hoping this will give me the chance to do both. I'm in the process of selling my home and downsizing. But, as I noticed your comments in another post, I do think I will bring more personal items such as photos with me. I am driving down and decide what to do with the car later.

Thanks for all your great posts. You continue to give us so much helpful information and it's greatly appreciated!

Magpie

magpie · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 54

MELEE:

Yes, I did find a job. I accepted an offer a couple of weeks after I finished the CELTA course. I will be teaching in a small town in Verazruz beginning in August. Being older than most teachers, I was not looking so much for a large city with great nightlife as I was a place where I could really get experience teaching and improve my Spanish. I am hoping this will give me the chance to do both. I'm in the process of selling my home and downsizing. But, as I noticed your comments in another post, I do think I will bring more personal items such as photos with me. I am driving down and decide what to do with the car later.

Thanks for all your great posts. You continue to give us so much helpful information and it's greatly appreciated!

Magpie

salliee · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 1 Location: england

Hello everyone!
I'm doing the course in Playa del Carmen in June too and was so happy to hear about the school here. Im hoping to stay on in Mexico to look for work too but am a bit worried how difficult getting a work visa will be since I think we need a celta certificate to be notified in our own country which could take me some time. Does anyone know about that or whether it will be easier because our course is in mexico? Anyhoo, not to worry because i'll find out soon enough! Really excited about mexico and hope everyone on the course has a safe trip to Playa del Carmen and I'll see you there! Oooh and I hope everyone else who has left messages really enjoys their time in Mexico.
Very Happy

Nate · Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Posts: 61 Location: Korea

Is it possible to fail this course... or any CELTA course for that matter, as long as you do what they ask?

It'd be a shame to spend all this money and not get a certificate to show for it.