Job Discussion Forums

[Gee]

I just found this message board and I'm hoping ppl can give me some answers to some of my questions from there experiences etc..

First off I'm a 20 year old female from Canada, and I'm going to be taking a 5 day TEFL course at our local College. When that's finished I hope to be able to work teaching in Mexico, and at the same time save a bit of money for a school course I've been saving for in Los Angeles.. I guess my questions are, how confused will I be at first, given that I know about 10 words in Spanish..? If you get paid accomodations in your contract what type of condition are the places you get (I'm guessing this may vary from person to person)? Do you find people to be friendly with you? As a female are there any extra precautions to be taken, or just ones every woman would take anywhere?

Okay well that's all I've got right now haha, sorry this is so long but I have so many questions and I just want to be well informed.

[berlitzoax]

I would say that you will be very confused, but I guess that will force you to learn quickly. You are unlikely to earn enough to save much money, and I have never heard of paid accomodation being included.

[Gee]

Well just in my experience in looking at TEFL Job postings I've seen plenty that offered paid accomodations for places in Mexico, this is why I ask.

[berlitzoax]

Oh, okay, I take that back then. Good luck with everything anyway.

[moonraven]

Confused--probably. Culture shock can be pretty severe--and getting around when you don't know Spanish can be dicey.

Provided housing usually means one of two things

1. That the school gives you a monthly housing stiped and you can find your own digs (the better option.)

2. The school provides shared housing with other teachers. Check out the thread on this forum called "Roomies" to see why that's usually a bummer.

[Gee]

I appreciate any advice given so far from everyone..But I must say now I'm more confused than I was before haha. I just feel like at this TEFL openhouse I went to it was made to sound (after reading more on this forum) too good to be true. I still want to do this but I'm feeling much more apprehensive about it now. I feel like I need to distinguish what the reality of this job, and new lifestyle will really be like. I realize nothing can be 100% with these things, and I expect no matter what precautions are taken in advance to have some problems, but I'm just concerned I was only given the sales pitch, and not the real life kind of scenarios. Can anyone shed any light on what I'm talking about?

[moonraven]

I suggest you stay where you are. I don't think you are ready for this. Think about it again in 5 years?

[Nate]

Gee,

As you know, there's risk with pretty much anything big you do... are you ready for adventure? Do some more research, try finding more people that have done this kind of thing. Wait for more responses to the thread...

Don't let the previous poster talk you out of going, and don't let me single-handedly talk you into going.

[Gee]

Thank you Nate, I definately do want more info, that's the reason I joined this forum. And you're exactly right no change this big comes without it's share of problems and I definately expect that much, but I'd also like to hear about the positive side too!! Thanks for the reassuring post, I do appreciate it.

And I am definately ready for adventure

[magpie]

I'm not sure if you're going to like this post, Gee.

First, Training. A 5 day course in teaching TEFL is not going to make you a teacher. It is NOT even going to give you a lot of skills or any significant amount of practice with students of various ages. Teaching TEFL is work. It is a lot different that teaching any subject in your own language. I strongly suggest you look into one of the many other well-reputable month-long certificate programs--see other boards for these programs. Just because you speak English (you have some problems with spelling, we definitely see) does not mean you can teach it without experience developing a lesson plan and classroom practice with real students.

Second, Language. It is not advisable to come to Mexico (or any country, for that matter) with only 10 words or so of the language. You CAN do this, as you can move to Moscow and not speak Russian--but you will have problems--a lot of problems. Have you ever met someone in your country who only knew 10 words of English? How well do you think they get on???? Get into some Spanish course at home or plan on taking one down here before you begin this adventure.

Third, Housing. I would be VERY, VERY skeptical of a 5 day TEFL course that set everything up for you. You may be in for some big surprises and disappointments. You need to be much more self-reliant and get yourself prepared so that if you still go through with that course, you can speak enough of the language to find better accommodations and job if these are not to your liking--and honestly. I doubt they will be.

Fourth, Knowledge of Mexico. Moving to here--or any foreign country--is not without its difficulties, even for those of us who have traveled extensively, taught for years and speak the language (to any degree above 5000 words). You need to come down here and travel a bit to see this country before you make such a big move -- if at all possible.

And, lastly . . . as someone who believes that TEACHING is a JOB, IT IS WORK--HARD WORK and requires a strong COMMITMENT. It is not something to do while you're on an extended travel vacation. This does not mean I am opposed to people who can travel and teach, but I am a bit jaded toward people who use TEFL as a means to skip around whenever they like--without committing to the school or students. Remember, these are peoples LIVES you are dealing with here!!!

Schools are not putting up with short-termers much any more, especially with young people. Schools expect you to sign a contract for a year--and if you don't know where you are going how do you know you're going to like it for 12 months. And, if the school is bad, where are you going to go? Just skip out? Without any Spanish language skills to whom are you going to turn for help?

I am REALLY sorry if this is harsh and I do not want to offend you. But, I do think you need to mature a bit and rethink your desire to move here versus the training and survival skills that you lack. You must be much better prepared and at this point I'm certain you're ready to take on either teaching or Mexico.

[Gee]

magpie,

I don't appreciate coming to this forum to be judged. I came to ask for peoples experiences and advice on Mexico, not to have my personality or maturity level questioned, neither of which I feel you are in any position to judge. I found your comments on those things to be incredibly rude and uncalled for. I really don't know who you think you are to talk to me about what kind of a person I am, when believe me you have no idea.

Also if I made a spelling mistake or a grammatical error on a message, I don't think you need to attack me.

In terms of what I want out of this job and on information I was given on the course I'm supposed to take, I never said, that I wanted this job just to travel, but even if I did, I don't think that's any of your business. I do believe that's half the point to these programs, to be able to visit new places and experience other cultures. And I certainly never said or implied that this was some kind of a vacation to me. I also never said anything about my program offering to find me accomodations or a job for that matter, I said in response to one persons message that in TEFL job postings (that I read on the web) I saw many posts that did offer paid accomodations.

What I really don't understand is, I came on here thinking I would have people help me out from their experiences by maybe telling me mistakes they've made etc.. that I could learn from, things like that. Instead I've mainly found the responses to my posts are for some reason down on everything I ask or on me for that matter. What is wrong with asking questions? I thought that was one of the main points of this forum. Sorry that I am NEW, remember that people have to start somewhere. If I was misinformed by the people in my TEFL program fine, but that's why I'm here, to get other peoples experiences. But not to get told for no reason I'm basically immature, or that my english isn't perfect. I shouldn't have to defend myself for wanting to do this, nor should I be attacked for asking questions on something that is new to me. Why am I being spoken to as if I've done something wrong?

I think this will probably be the last time I bother to post on here, I don't enjoy complete strangers turning all their negativity towards me. That's not what I thought this place was about. For the few people who took the time to try and answer some of my questions, and be helpful, THANK YOU!! I really really appreciated it.

[ls650]

[reddevil79]

I would just like to add something too�

I think we as a forum have a responsibility to newcomers and to those who seek information about teaching in Mexico. However silly or dumb a request/question may seem, we should try to assist as best as we can. I certainly don�t think it is our place to judge other forum members about their motive, attitude, commitment or ability. Gee�s treatment was way out of line.

I joined this forum just under a year ago because I wanted more information about teaching in Mexico. Some very kind members bothered to put aside some time to write back to me and offer valuable advice for which I was very grateful. Gee, like me, found this forum and posted some questions in the hope of receiving some advice. She did not deserve a character assassination.

I think some members of this forum see themselves as superior, the �big daddies� of the Mexico TEFL world and see fit to criticize anyone who they deem inferior. I sometimes despair at some of the things posted on this forum, but I would never ever respond in the patronizing, ill-mannered and inconsiderate way some have. This is not the first time it has happened, but this last thread made my blood boil.


Other than that, love to all�

[mlomker]

There's often this "I'm a real teacher and I hate sight seers" mentality on all of the forums here. The fact of the matter is that a lot of people *do* want to see the world and there's nothing quite like the horizen-expanding adventure of living in another country.

The truly problematic teachers out there probably have never signed onto a site like Dave's ESL because they don't care enough to bother. I think some of you should give people like the OP some credit. I'm also not convinced that asking a question instead of lurking and reading for months should be a crime. I'm personally of the lurking variety, but not everyone is an introvert...indeed that is one thing about myself that I do not value.

[moonraven]

Hey, folks, let 's get real.

Gee even PM'd me because I said he/she wasn't ready for this and DEMANDED an explanation.

This is a voluntary forum. Experienced teachers do not OWE newbies anything.

We give our best advice and then receive a blast of s*hit because it wasn't what someone wanted to hear.

So, if this is what you wan't to hear, eyes forward: Yeah, come to Mexico. Don't bother to learn Spanish--this is magical realism's birthplace and the language will enter your head by osmosis in 15 minutes after crossing the border. Don't bother to learn how to be a teacher, either. Someone will hire you to teach just because you approximate speaking English. And that person will put you up at the best hotel in town while you work for him/her.

Okay--now take that advice, and when you find yourself babbling in English in the street with no money, no job, no place to live and not even bus money to get back to the border, remember this:

We tried to tell you. Politely, too. But you were the expert, ready for adventure, kicking us in the teeth because we wasted our time telling you why you should not do this.

That silver spoon in your mouth is a mirage. I was being generous when I told you to wait 5 years and think about your plan again. Make that 20.