Job Discussion Forums

[mrsrhu]

I posted this in the Newbie Forum, but someone (wisely) suggested it might belong here...

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. Or if the general concept is valid, advise on how to make it work smoothly. Thanks in advance!

[saraswati]

Hi Mrsrhu,
I too am a single parent and have been living in Mexico for quite a few years now. Raising children in Mexico can be challenging for a number of reasons. For starters, unless you're working in an elementary, junior high or high school, most EFL classes are in the evening which means you'll need a babysitter. Finding a competent one who won't cancel at the last minute can be difficult, not to mention the drain on your salary.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "allowances for parents." If that refers to scheduling, DOS will more than likely tell you that they'll give you as many hours as they can (but your salary probably won't be enough
to support your family or that they can't hire you at all if you can't work the hours. Most teachers DON'T work 60 hours a week, 30 hours is more like it and salaries vary by institute.

Private schooling for your children is probably the only way to go. The public school system is not what it should be. How much tuition is depends, again, on the elementary school. As a rule, Montessori schools (or schools that call them Montessori) tend to be pricier. Again, it also depends on the city you're in. In my area, elementary education can run from $1700 to $2000 pesos a month. You'll also have to pay an "enrollment fee" that varies from $1500 to $5000 pesos. Even living modestly, if you choose to put both children into school, you'll probably find it necessary to "dip into your savings" a bit.

I hope my responses don't deter you from your plan. You just need to be prepared for the costs that private schooling and daycare will run. Good luck!

[Ben Round de Bloc]

I'm not a parent, single or otherwise, but I think it would be quite challenging financially to support yourself and two children on earnings from teaching EFL in this country. You'd most likely have to teach about 30 hours per week to support just yourself conservatively, considering the types of jobs you could get with your qualifications and experience. That wouldn't leave you much time and energy to devote to your children and finishing your degree. I suppose a lot depends on what all and how much you and your children are willing to sacrifice.

[moonraven]

I think the only way you could do it is to get a job teaching at a private school--which would mean free tuition for your children.

If you can't do that, I think you will find it more than challenging to stay afloat here.

[mrsrhu]

Hmmm. Guess I am going back to the drawing board.

I am thinking of getting the TEFL certificate, moving to the least expensive area I can find, & volunteering for 2 years while I finish my degree. If I stay in the states, I will need to use my savings to live also, as I am only qualified for near-minimum wage jobs. By this plan, I will spend the same money, but in the 2 years, we will be speaking Spanish, I will have some teaching experience, and maybe have done some good in the process.

Still thinking... I am grateful I don't need to make a decision quickly!

[jseens]

Hi there Mrsrhu,

Sounds like my kind of plan. When I have children I would love for them to have the opportunity to be immersed in a different (not English) language and culture. Have you made any progress in your decision making?

Jessica