Job Discussion Forums

[mrsrhu]

I am brand-new here; I've spent a few days reading posts from all you experienced teacher/travellers. I have finally worked up my nerve to post. Let me start with a brief background, then I have a bucketful of questions. I need advise from people who have been there, done that, not worried family members. Or friends who would encourage any far-fetched scheme in the hopes of living vicariously.

I am a widow with 2 young kids, ages 8 & 9. I am halfway through a degree in Public Health, which I am taking entirely online. I have no formal teaching experience, but I have tutored Adult Literacy and ESL as a volunteer. I have no recent work history, as I have been doing this child-rearing thing an awfully long time (I also have a grown son, 23). I speak some Spanish, but would like for the kids and me to become truly bilingual. By the way, I am 47 - I think that makes me quite a bit older than the average, if it matters. I have travelled quite extensively, both with children and without. I see the degree in Public Health as an insurance policy; I don't think I would ever want to teach in the US if I do choose to return.

Here is my plan: I want to go to Mexico (or Central or South America, perhaps), spend one month in an intensive Spanish program, then one month in TEFL training. The kids would have 2 months of Spanish, and hopefully be prepared to attend school, either a bilingual program, or all in Spanish. Then I plan to spend 2 years teaching English and finishing my degree. I am thinking of Cuernavaca or Guadalajara, but that is not firm. I have enough savings to cover lean times, or supplement my earnings, but I hope to mainly live on my salary. I would like to make a career of teaching English, as I see this as a way to give my children an international education, in addition to the fact that I think I would enjoy teaching and perhaps be fairly good at it.

So here are a few questions:

Are any of you single parents? Do employers make any allowances for families? I am intimidated by the stories of 60 hour work weeks - that really wouldn't work for us.

Does anyone have any idea of the prices of private schools? Or can non-citizen children attend public schools? I am homeschooling the kids now, so I feel competant to supplement their education if the academic quality isn't great, but I want them to participate in the local community.

How do teacher's wages compare to the cost of living? I have found separate figures for each, but I am having a hard time figuring out what standard of living a teacher's salary would provide. We live fairly modestly, but I don't want to worry every month over the bills, or dip too deeply into my savings.

Enough questions for now (I have many more, but I am a bit embarassed how long this has become). I welcome any input, especially if someone can point out some glaring inconsistancy that I have missed and stop me before I make a huge, expensive mistake. O)r if the general concept is valid, advise on how to make it work smoothly. Thanks in advance!

[Girl Scout]

You really want to talk to Guy Courchesne. He's bery nice and has a lot of info. about Mexico. I sugget you post this message in the Mexico forum instead of the newbie forum.

Don't worry about your age. You're not much older than me.

[Guy Courchesne]

Kind words GS, thank you. But...I must be the bearer of bad news.

I think you will be making an expensive mistake OP. In Guadalajara or Cuernavaca (or anywhere in Mexico for that matter), you are likely to be restricted to entry level teaching jobs, or at best, a teaching job in a private elementary/secondary school. I can't see you earning anymore than 10,000 pesos per month. That for one person to support themselves is fine in Mexico, but there is no way you will be able to support your children.

Most teaching positions will not offer much by way of support or benefits for a teacher, let alone one with children, at entry level. Best you could hope for would be vales, which are coupons for purchases of basic necessities like food and clothing, usable at places like Walmart.

You're unlikely to have a 60 hour work week. Entry level TEFL would max out at 40, maybe 45 if you worked Saturdays, but more likely would be 25-35. Many positions pay an hourly wage, so that isn't exactly good either.

There is a cost-of-living thread in the General Latin American forum. Check that out for specifics, but it won't include what I think will make your idea unworkable. Schooling for your children. I'm not 100% sure, but I think your kids will not be able to go to Mexican public school, and in any case, you probably wouldn't want them to. Private schooling varies a lot in costs, but minimum you'll pay is 2000 pesos per month each child. That doesn't inlcude uniforms, books, trips, lunch, etc, etc. Assuming rent on a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment at minimum 3000 pesos per month (I stress minimum) you are now spending 7000 pesos on rent and schooling alone. Food, books, transportation, clothes, medical...add it all up and I can't see how you would not be going deep into your savings every month.

Costa Rica or Panama might offer something better...might.

[portochuck]

Being a single parent is hard in itself. But if you have your heart set on moving to south America, why not look at Brazil. But before you do, if you want to know what I think about it, I wouldnt move to Rio or any place like that. Some place in the South Brazil would be better to raise a child.(My wife and I are having our first in Sept.) We live in Porto Alegre, and its Beautiful city, but there is no real beach here, only about an hour drive away...but what is that to live in a safer city.

Most schools in Brazil pay about the same...from R$10-R$15 per class, but if you teach private classes you can earn from R$25-$R40 per class.

The private schools here are a little pricey sometimes....one school is about R$2000 per month.(they teach only in English.)

Not sure if I help...but good luck.

And if you dont want Brazil...then I have to agree with "Costa Rica or Panama might offer something better...might."

[mrsrhu]

Thanks for the responses. Guess I'll be rethinking this plan. One alternative might be to find the cheapest place to live (certainly not Cuernavaca or Guadalajara) and count on living on my savings, while volunteer teaching to get a couple years experience under my belt. In 2 years, I would have my degree, TEFL certification, and experience, making myself much more hirable. I probably have enough savings to do this, but the thought of depleting my account (safety net) is scary. My husband and I lived in rural Costa Rica when the kids were babies - it was cheap and beautiful and the people were wonderful, but I don't know if I want to be quite that isolated at this stage in my life.

Back to the drawing board to consider alternatives.

[Justin Trullinger]

One alternative to consider is the qualifications you're getting. Here in Ecuador, a TEFL teacher (single, no kids) can live pretty well- but supporting and educating kids on TEFL wages could be more than a little tight. If you were to get some experience and an education related qualification, I would recommend aiming at teaching in an international school, or posh private school. Wages are a great deal better, and many would allow for enrollment of your children, free of charge!

But...a degree in public health doesn't get you there. And if you're looking to depart soon, it may be hard to get there.

Regards,
Justin

PS Last time I heard, in Ecuador there is about one public school spot for every 20 children of school age, so public schools would be well out of the picture. Is this typical in SA? Anyone?