Job Discussion Forums

[thedude72]

Hello all,

I am interested in taking a TEFL course in Mexico in the not too distant future. I have no teaching experience, but am looking for a career change and want to travel and experience different cultures.

I have narrowed down my choice of schools between ITTO's TEFL in Guadalajara and IH's CELTA in Playa del Carmen.

First of all, I noticed that the CELTA course in Playa del Carmen is quite a bit more expensive than the TEFL course in Guadalajara. Does anyone know what the difference between the two courses might be? Is the CELTA more expensive solely because the name is more recognized around the world?

Also, I noticed that the ITTO course offers guaranteed employment in Mexico upon completion of the course. Is this true? Also, what kinds of teaching positions can I expect when I graduate the course without previous teaching experience? Will the wages I make be enough to survive on?

I read a lot of articles on the Job Information Board that people were kind enough to post. A lot of them refer to schools that are to be avoided. I read a lot of horror stories regarding unpaid wages and employers not living up to the terms of the contracts. My question is, do schools such as the ITTO and CELTA help you avoid such schools and help to place you in legitimate schools, where such horror stories can be avoided?

Any feedback on these questions would be much appreciated.

Thank you
dude72

[bentheviking]

The Dude,

I can't comment much on job placement because I haven't actually made it to Mexico yet. But, I did recently post a message on the two schools. I am trying to decide between the same. They seem to be the best in Mexico. Check out my post: "ITTO vs. CELTA." There is some good feedback and a link to some other comments in there from previous discussions on the same topic. I am probably going to go with CELTA based on everyone's recommendations and my own gut feeling. It is more expensive, but I think it may be worth it in the long run. If I go with CELTA in Playa del Carmen, I'll probably be in the Nov. 8 class. Maybe I'll see you there.

Take 'er easy,
Ben

[thedude72]

Hi Ben,

Thanks for the reply. I read all the posts as you recommended and they were very helpful. It sounds like both schools are very good, so I don't think we can go wrong either way. But I did get a feeling that the CELTA course is more recommended than the ITTO by employers.

I am in the process of getting my way out of debt right now, so I won't make the November 8 course. I am hoping to go sometime next year. I read somewhere that you can't bring debt from home down to Mexico with you and expect to pay it off and be able to support yourself at the same time. Anyone have experience with this aspect?

I am thinking of going down to Peurto Vallerta in October to check out the school there and perhaps take a bus trip to Guadalajara and visit the ITTO to check out the school and hopefully talk to someone. How long is the bus ride from Peurto Vallerta to Guadalajara? Is it worth it to go down there and check it out in person?

This is a big decision and I want to make the right one. Hopefully the kind members of this forum will be able to help me out more.

Best wishes
Dude72

[cybercutie]

I just saw your post and I noticed you wrote about checking out the school in Puerto Vallarta. I am assuming you are talking about TEFL University? It is the only one I found there besides the Guadalajara University. Although I never took the course (I have decided to go to Guadalajara in August instead), I did talk to the teacher of the course. I had gone with a friend to check it out in person, and no one I talked to knew where it was. Then, when I came back and emailed him, he informed me that they had moved and that was why I couldn't find him. I never got any emails back from him for over two weeks, so I booked at another school, only to get an email a week later asking when he should call to confirm.

Because of this, I decided to go back to the school in PV, because it sounded so good. Well, he told me to get a bank transfer right away, and pay him the $250 deposit. I emailed the next day to ask if I could delay my entrance to the month after, and once again I never heard anything. Now, being that I have gone to school in Mexico and been there 8 times, I understand about the laid back lifestyle and Mexican time, but the fact that I was giving money to some guy who would never get back to me for weeks at a time really bothered me, and isn't a very good way to run a school.

Thankfully I got a job in Guadalajara and am leaving in three weeks, but just today I got an email from the assistant at TEFL University asking what was happening and basically where the money was.

If you go to school in PV, just make sure you are confident that this place will be professional enough with the classes, as they aren't with getting back to you on any questions you may have.

b

[thedude72]

Hi Cybercutie,

Thanks for your post. I just wanted to ask you a couple quick questions.

First, is Guadalajara University different than the ITTO school in Guadalajara?

Second, congratulations on finding a job, did you get a job in Guadalajara without having a TEFL designation?

I am just trying to get information on how people are getting teaching jobs and what kinds of qualifications they have.

Thanks
Dude72

[cybercutie]

Hey Dude72,

I have been researching for a long time, so so as long as you don't need to know what its like to live there, I can probably help you out. As far as I have learned, the University of Guadalajara in PV is an actual University for the local students, however they have an affiliate called Proulex which is where the TEFL certification is. (anyone can feel free to correct me if I am wrong, it has been known to happen:))

The ITTO school in Guadalajara is the one I applied to, and it is very professional as far as correspondence and organization is concerned. I am also a memeber of a chat group on MSN called MExico living, and many of the people there have taken the class.

There are also schools I found in Queretaro and Chiapas, and they aren't as advertised as the others, but they are cheaper and they still offer the same certificate.

As for me, I do not have my TEFL certification, however I have business and marketing experience, and I speak a few languages (albeit not to perfection), and that was part of the job description. I would actually prefer to have the certificate, but if I don't feel comfortable in this job, I am still booked for the ITTO course.

Hope this helps, I have gotten lots of advice from here and I hope I can give back somewhat. Let me know if you have any other questions...

becky:)

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[KatyLu]

Hiya

Just to say ive just done the itto course and it was good. Also, everyone who wanted a job straight after finishing the course got one so you can definitely trust them in that respect.

The only thing I would say is although its obviously a lot easier to get them to get you a job, the jobs arent always the best. If you can, its best to try and sort it out yourself. The trainers were very helpful and gave me a list of all the schools highlighting which ones treated their employees the best, so that was good. Seems to be plenty of opportunities though, especially round this tiem as all the schools are starting again.

good luck and go to itto!

[MixtecaMike]

KatyLu, thanks for your information.

Could you share with us a bit more detail about what you did in the ITTO course? I think it could be helpful for people considering taking the course and also for people who might hire people from the course.

Not that I am in either category, but I am curious.

[KatyLu]

Hi Mixteca

Well the course always seems to be changing, so i think its different even after only 2 months, but basically the morning is theory and the afternoons are preparing your classes, observing classes or actually teaching them. They throw you in straight away because on the first day I was observing and by day 3 I was teaching.

I didnt find the mornings overly useful as a lot of time was spent on teaching us grammar which I didnt really see the point of. But thats one of the things that has changed cos now its much more focussed on teaching you how to teach grammar which is obviously a better idea. Also a lot of groupwork on thinking up activities for classes which is good.

For me by far the most valuable part was the feedback that your observers gave you......it was always very positive and with really constructive criticism. And if you are having difficulties preparing your classes the trainers are always on hand to help.

I think that's about all i can say, if you want to know anything else just ask....

[thedude72]

Hi Katy,

Thanks for all the great info. Overall, the course sounds like a positive experience. I have a few more questions if you wouldn't mind.

I understand that the course is very intensive from Monday to Friday. I was just wondering if you had any time on the weekends at all to enjoy Mexico or was it just work work work?

What residential option did you take and would you recommend it?

Also, during the job placement assistance process, do they help you just find jobs in Mexico or all over the world as well?

Thanks
Craig

[KatyLu]

Craig! The man behind The Dude!

On the first day they scared the sh*t out of me cos tehy make a big deal out of how intensive it is and how you shouldnt leave the city at the weekends and stuff, but that isnt the case.

For the first two days or so it is 9-7, but when you start teaching you only have the lectures in the morning and then you can really do whatever in the afternoon. If you have a class you plan it and do it but otherwise you can go (or be really eager and plan classes for the rest of the week!). Its really what you make it I guess. Some people worked really hard, but if youre hardcore you can still go out every night! There isnt that much homework, only reading or exercises which are v short and commonsense. Plenty of time to do what you want, but always the panic on sunday if you got a class on mon and no idea what to do!

Basically though since its called an intensive course, i guess you shouldnt just completely take the piss but its fine.

Most people stayed in the posada which is good because you have people around who are doing teh same thing as you but i stayed with a homestay which I preferred cos i wasnt living and breathing the course the whole time. Have to travel more in the mornings though.........

About the placements, they obviously have more contacts in Mexico/cenral america but around the world too. The only person I knew who wanted to go to Korea got her job there straight away

Any more questions?!

[tara_lee_anne]

Just to answer this question (I didn't see anyone else answer it). The bus ride from PV to Guadalajara is around 5 hours.

Tara

[thedude72]

Katy,

Thanks for all the great information, I really appreciate it.

So where are you working now and how do you like it?

Tara - thanks for that little tidbit, I had no idea the bus ride took that long!

[dangermouse24]

I took the course in ITTO summer 2003. It was certainly an experience to say the least.

I chose the English homestay with 5 other students and would certainly recommend it. The house is owned by a very nice Australian couple and located just 3/4 minutes walk from the school and the downtown area. Pretty much everything is within a few minutes walking distance. Movies, internet cafe, restaurants, supermarket, shops, market...

Another nice thing was that because we all arrived over the weekend when we went into the first class on the Monday it was much easier for us as we had already had some time to get to know each other and everything. We walked in the first morning laughing and getting on like we'd know each other for ages...In the evenings and weekends we would all hang out, and there was always someone there outside school hours to help you prepare your classes or explain something if you needed. While I got along with everyone on the course I did seem to have a closer relationship with those I lived with. I came away with a bigger family at the end of it.