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joshua2004
Joined: 26 Sep 2004
Posts: 68
Location: Torr�on, Coahuila, Mexico
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 Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 1:52 am Post subject: Here`s what I did for work |
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I am a teacher, I have the dream to travel the world and teach English. I got to Mexico and planned to work for the universities or some English school and was disappointed by what I found. Low wages (comparatively to the US), strict teaching guidlines (as with most schools), and a lot of fly by night McJob English schools. So after being asked repeatedly if I teach private classes by people down here, I am going to do just that. I met a woman who also teaches English (now my girlfriend) and we are opening a school.
I use a cooperative learning format and am mostly adhereing to Stephen Krashens Natural Approach. We have a good method. Simply put, students choose the topics of study like: going to the store, eating at a restaurant, flying on a plane, and then we create activities to teach them how to do those things. Students think of the topics and choose one. I am going to charge 800 pesos a month. We are holding an orientation october 11. Wish us luck!
I just found work in other schools too long and not enough pay or too short and definitely not enough pay. I am doing something now that I am truly happy I found. I wanted to give my story so that others traveling and teaching English might consider.
I don�t know if you will have problems with a work visa though. I luckily have dual citizenship. Maybe you could pair up with a mexican citizen? Working on your own is where the money and freedom are at! |
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Ben Round de Bloc
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1946
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| Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 1:26 pm Post subject: Re: Here`s what I did for work |
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| joshua2004 wrote: |
| I don�t know if you will have problems with a work visa though. I luckily have dual citizenship. Maybe you could pair up with a mexican citizen? Working on your own is where the money and freedom are at! |
I believe your dual citizenship really does give you an advantage in your situation regarding legal matters. I've seen too many of those smaller foreigner-Mexican business partnerships go bad to consider entering into that kind of deal, but I also know of some that have been successful. The best of luck to you! Keep us posted on how your venture/adventure goes. |
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richtx1
Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 115
Location: Ciudad de M�xico
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| Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2004 1:20 am Post subject: Hate to see a competitor, but... |
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| ... good luck (and it looks like a different market anyway). You'll need to talk to an attorney about your Acta Constutiva, of course. You are probably a Mexican citizen as far as becoming a personal fiscal is concerned. A business requires a certain amount of investment capital (varying from state to state) and at least two investors. Our business is mostly owned by a New Zealand "foreign investor". For legal reasons (and to have a second person who can sign checks) a Mexican citizen invested a whopping 10 pesos in the business. |
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MixtecaMike
Joined: 19 Nov 2003
Posts: 643
Location: Guatebad
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| Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2004 7:11 am Post subject: |
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Yes, definitely get a native partner, if you are single preferably more than a business partner. When I return to Guatemala with my hard-earned cash in a couple of years I will certainly not be working for anyone else, I've had more than enough of mucho trabajo, poco dinero, or in the case of my last Mexican gig Muy poco trabajo, poco dinero.
All the best with your own business, joshua2004, it's the only way to go if you want to teach in Latin America. |
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joshua2004
Joined: 26 Sep 2004
Posts: 68
Location: Torr�on, Coahuila, Mexico
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| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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Well, we opened our school! yaay! We have 7 students. Not bad for just starting out! I`ll keep you all posted on how its going.
| Quote: |
| You'll need to talk to an attorney about your Acta Constutiva, of course. |
Since we put on our flyer that we have a "docente americano", immigration came by! Durring our orientation! But he said it was no big deal since I was officially "mexican". I showed him my passports and the document that shows how I gained citizenship through my mother. No problem. But what a suprise to have an immigration officer come by looking for me. We had only advertised 2 weeks.
As my school gets bigger, I hope to take on more teachers. We are planning by next summer to rent a bigger place, maybe move to Monterrey.
Torreon is becoming very modernized, there is lots of industry here and MANY companies here. I have a list of about 50, most of which are looking for classes for thier employees. They are planning to build a Disneyland here, so you can imagine the future demand for teachers. Since there is so much business here, they are REQUIRING people to know English. Why am I telling you this. I am stupid or I just want to do the right thing and help the world learn English, probably both.
But just showing up here and expecting work is not as easy as it seems. I have a Masters of Education and speak Spanish fluently, and was not necessarily welcomed with open arms.
All I am saying is that there is a ripe market here. I still don`t understand why I am telling you this. I think it is because education should not be as much of a competitve business but a common goal where everyone can help achieve that goal.[/code][/quote] |
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Ben Round de Bloc
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1946
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| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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| joshua2004 wrote: |
Well, we opened our school! yaay! We have 7 students. Not bad for just starting out! I`ll keep you all posted on how its going.
Since we put on our flyer that we have a "docente americano", immigration came by! Durring our orientation! . . . But what a suprise to have an immigration officer come by looking for me. We had only advertised 2 weeks. |
Congratulations on your grand opening!
As for the immigration officer showing up, I know the feeling . . . and I don't even have my own business!  |
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MixtecaMike
Joined: 19 Nov 2003
Posts: 643
Location: Guatebad
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 3:28 am Post subject: |
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Congratulations on the first 7, or in bingo-lish, Seven, lucky for some.
May you be one of those "some."  |
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BradS
Joined: 05 Sep 2004
Posts: 173
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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| They are planning to build a Disneyland here, so you can imagine the future demand for teachers. |
REALLY!!! Woo Hoo! I'm a Disneyland FREAK!!! Sounds great!
*cough!* Anyway, if you're after more teachers, let us know! I'm thinking of Mexico in 2006!
p.s. Does your school have a website? |
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lozwich
Joined: 25 May 2003
Posts: 1536
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Anyway, if you're after more teachers, let us know! |
Yeah, me too! 
Trying to position myself to be a bit closer than I currently am to my most favourite part of Mexico...
Have a great day,
Lozwich. |
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joshua2004
Joined: 26 Sep 2004
Posts: 68
Location: Torr�on, Coahuila, Mexico
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| Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 3:12 am Post subject: |
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Ok,
How about anyone interested in joining us, email me and then I will keep your address for when we are ready to take on more teachers. We are planning it to be next summer but you never know, it could be sooner.
[email protected]
I don�t have a website yet.
Thanks,
Josh |
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