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srs3829
Joined: 09 Sep 2014
Posts: 30
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 Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2016 7:55 pm Post subject: GED Teaching Experience vs Mexico teaching experience |
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Hi all,
Thank you again for being willing to answer my many (possibly redundant) questions! I'm making a big career change and it is really helpful to have the input.
I was planning to come to Mexico in a few months to do my CELTA and hopefully land a job teaching business English with a bearable schedule. But, yesterday I was invited to interview for a PT job here in the States that involves teaching GED prep. I only have volunteer ESL experience up to this point, so having some real, paid experience on my CV seems like it could be very useful. (I don't have teaching degrees, etc.)
If I took the GED job, I would delay coming to Mexico for a year.
My question is: in your opinion, is a year of teaching GED part-time in the States more valuable experience-wise than using that same year to get first-hand experience in Mexico? When I say "valuable" I mean in terms of job opportunities in Mexico.
Many thanks. |
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Jultime
Joined: 25 Jun 2014
Posts: 113
Location: Mexico
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| Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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In my opinion, no.
I work at a busy business language school in Queretaro, a few hours north of Mexico City. We need good, professional teachers, previous experience isn't always necessary especially if you have a CELTA. It also helps if you have some kind of work experience behind you. Even better if you are mature and have a solid, professional work background. Sometimes this is more important than teaching experience when you're teaching at international companies.
There are a few of us who's first teaching job was at this school. The CELTA will prepare you then its important to work for a professional school, not some fly by night operation. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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The GED is not geared specifically for non-native English speakers; I agree with Jultime that it's unlikely to help you out much in applying for EFL jobs.
Generic 'teaching' isn't often applicable - we even have doubts about licensed content teachers transferring over to EFL, as the skills needed aren't by any means identical. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 10:04 pm Post subject: Re: GED Teaching Experience vs Mexico teaching experience |
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| srs3829 wrote: |
I was planning to come to Mexico in a few months to do my CELTA and hopefully land a job teaching business English with a bearable schedule. But, yesterday I was invited to interview for a PT job here in the States that involves teaching GED prep. I only have volunteer ESL experience up to this point, so having some real, paid experience on my CV seems like it could be very useful. (I don't have teaching degrees, etc.)
If I took the GED job, I would delay coming to Mexico for a year.
My question is: in your opinion, is a year of teaching GED part-time in the States more valuable experience-wise than using that same year to get first-hand experience in Mexico? When I say "valuable" I mean in terms of job opportunities in Mexico. |
I say no but yes (for other reasons). It's not uncommon for ESL learners to be in a GED program. In fact, in many states, there are prep or pre-GED classes specifially for students whose native language isn't English. Those classes are taught by ESL teachers. That may not be the situation in the job opportunity you're interviewing for, but expect ESL literacy students in whatever GED class you might end up teaching.
That said, as others have pointed out, teaching GED subjects is not the same as teaching EFL. So the experience won't be particularly useful for Mexico unless you end up teaching an ESP domain like business English. However, the GED experience will be valuable when you return to the US and need to find work. The ESL job market in the States is competitive and the few opportunities that do open up tend to be part time. On the other hand, GED positions are more likely to be full time because they serve a much broader population. So having that teaching versatility on your resume is a plus in the long run.
If it were me, I would take the GED position (if offered) and put the CELTA and Mexico on hold for a year. Your call. |
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srs3829
Joined: 09 Sep 2014
Posts: 30
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| Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 5:29 pm Post subject: Thank you |
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| Thank you all for the input-- I very much appreciate the advice!! |
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