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Tess81
Joined: 20 Jan 2005
Posts: 10
Location: Baltimore, MD
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 Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 6:00 pm Post subject: Newbie Doubts |
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Hi,
I am considering teaching English abroad and I think I have my sights set on Mexico. Although I do find these forums helpful and interesting, I am also having some doubts and concerns.
I do not yet have a certificate of any kind and have very little teaching experience (few hours of substitute teaching in the US and soon to begin volunteer work as an ESOL tutor). I am also currently continuing my education in Spanish - I love the langauage and think that living and working in a Spanish/ Latin American country such as Mexico would be an experience.
I would greatly appreciate any advice that can be offered on the following:
1. Certification -
CELTA? TEFL? other? What is the best option?
Should I take a course in Mexico/ abroad and remain there after the course to find work? or should I get certification in the US and then go abroad in search of work?
I think that teaching is something I will probably do short-term (about a year or so), or more, depending on my experience. Am I alone in this regard? It seems like most of you are more career-oriented.
2. Job Opportunities
Is work really that plentiful and easy to come by? From what I have read, it seems that so many people are in constant search of work. I will only have the minimum qualifications (no Masters or PHD or teaching experience) and am worried about finding a decent opportunity.
Also, I do not know where to begin looking for a job! Regarding the job search - Where should I look? And what types of opportunities should I be looking for? Are most jobs obtained through independent searches, contacts, and interviews? or should I go through a course that assists with job placement?
3. Mexico
I have never really been to Mexico and am not familiar with any of the cities, towns, or areas. I don't know what part of the country to focus on! I guess it depends on the availabiltiy of job opportunities, as well as other things. I think I prefer the idea of working in a stationary language school rather than traveling so much. The beach would be great but I imagine hard to come by. I would like to be in an area that is culturally rich, but not isolated or secluded. A large/ medium sized city I think would be ideal. Also, I am concerned about living in an area that is poverty stricken or poor and am especially concerned about crime and safety. Based on these specifications, any suggestions of what areas or cities might fit my interests?
Sorry for the wordy posting! I am really interested in exploring and pursuing teaching in Mexico, but I am getting overwhelmed by all of the various info and it is creating some doubts! I need some direction - Please help! |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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No worries for a wordy post...that's what this place is for...getting answers!
Learning Spanish and volunteering as much as you can, preferably within the Latino community will be of great help.
| Quote: |
1. Certification -
CELTA? TEFL? other? What is the best option? |
I would suggest a course in Mexico simply because it will give you some practical experience with EFL students here in this country. there are several course providers in various cities. you will probably save some money by taking the course here as well. I work in the TEFL side of things, so I'm inclined to promote this over CELTA, though CELTA will provide you with the same good tools.
| Quote: |
| 2. Job Opportunities |
Coming by a job is a matter of timing and city size. Mexico City offers positions just about year round, but most involve traveling to companies, at least in the higher earning category. Smaller towns will tend to hire in clumps around late August and January, and involve much less travel or in-school work. A good TEFL course will provide job placement assistance. We do that, as does ITTO in Guadalajara. International House I think offers inhouse job opportunities.
There are few recruiters working in Mexico. If you go through a TEFL program, you won't need a recruiter anyway.
Three large cities, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey offer the most opportunities and widest variety of position types. Pay is highest in these areas. There are literally dozens of towns of smaller size where a lot of positions are available. An incomplete list...Puebla, Oaxaca, Queretaro, Guanajuato, Leon, Aguascalientes, Morelia, Torreon, Cuernavaca, Toluca, Veracruz, Merida, Pachuca, San Luis Potusi, San Miguel de Allende...key in those cities to a google search to find out more about them.
You are right about teaching on the beach. There are opportunities but most are low pay in a higher cost-of-living environment. I lived and taught in Acapulco for almost two years...barely manageable on finances. The heat killed me too.
I think crime and safety issues are a little overemphasized in Mexico. you will need to be a little more street-wise than you would be in a Canadian or smaller American city, but for the most part, Mexico is safe. It's unlikely that you would be teaching in a really poverty stricken area, or a dangerous area like up near the US border. Even Mexico City gets a worse rap than the reality on crime. Most crime here is petty theft, and in four years, I've never been the victim of a crime, though I'm pretty street wise. Honestly, I feel less safe in US cities than in Mexican ones.
Hope all that helps. I'm sure some others will post here too to give you other perspectives. |
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Tess81
Joined: 20 Jan 2005
Posts: 10
Location: Baltimore, MD
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| Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks Guy. Helpful as usual. I'll begin researching your suggestions. Thanks for giving me some direction! |
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allisfaith
Joined: 02 Jan 2005
Posts: 15
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 12:37 am Post subject: lets swap info! |
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I am in a similar boat...
No certification,
earning spanish,
tutoring Spanish speakers...
Love of Mexico.
(I love that there are folks like me out there! I've met a few here on this board)
Anyway, I am looking at volunteering right now in mexico. Most places requrie you to PAY TO WORK which I don't understand yet but I found one cool sight that seems fair.
and I found one company that places you as a teacher for a fair fee without certification with a set salary ahead of time.
Also I've found one TEFL school abraod that I would go to if/when I decide to get certified.
I can't list any here but feel free to email me if you would like some of my research plus send me what you have too. Lets swap research...
~Alli |
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Nate
Joined: 05 Sep 2003
Posts: 61
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, Guy, great post.
Any more opinions on Certification / Job Opportunities / Mexico in general?
I am specifically interested in the safety in Mexico City.
Sorry, an older thread, I know. Thanks for any responses... |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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Old thread, still applies...
Anything specific you'd like to know? I'm a fountain of useless information... 
Mexico City is huge, and with size come problems, like smog at certain times of year. Traffic is a pain, but if you don't have a car, using the subway/metro, city busses, taxis, etc is very cheap and quite fast.
Language is the biggest barrier. I see that people who arrive to teach and speak little to none of the language feel intimidated. Naturally. Once you learn a bit of Spanish, you start to realize what people are saying, and they are NOT plotting to rob you. Just going about their day like everyone else. Generally, Mexicans are a very easy-going people, more concerned with daily life, kids, getting to work and back, and what to order at the taco stand. |
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MixtecaMike
Joined: 19 Nov 2003
Posts: 643
Location: Guatebad
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| Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 2:26 am Post subject: |
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| Guy Courchesne wrote: |
| what to order at the taco stand. |
3 al pastor, and 1 de tripas.
Or if you go to my favorite guy on Matamoros, 2 de obispo, they are huge. |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 3:08 am Post subject: |
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Tripa? Wacala guey...  mejor pedir de seso o pata. El chiste en esta ciudad es ordenar tacos suaperros or tacos de pastor aleman. |
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lozwich
Joined: 25 May 2003
Posts: 1536
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| Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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That's DISGUSTING!!
My favourite thing to eat in the zocalo is these little parcel things. When I was last there, you got 8 for 5 pesos. The fun bit is that I have absolutely no idea what is in them! 
MMMMMMMM |
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Ben Round de Bloc
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1946
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| Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 2:35 pm Post subject: tacos |
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| Here people usually eat tacos at night . . . after the sun goes down and the temperature drops below 35� C. Not a lot of taco stands in this city. People usually go to open-air restaurants for their tacos. Most popular are tacos al pastor (pastor alem�n joke common here, too.) More popular during the day are things like salbutes, panuchos, and volcanes. |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Acapulco is the same as Merida...not much by way of tacos during the heat of the day. Hot dogs, filled with cheese and wrapped with bacon are a common site. Pozole is the big dish on Thursdays. |
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