Job Discussion Forums

shay · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Hi,
I'm hoping to go teach English in Mexico next year and would like to start my whole trip by getting my TEFL certificate down there. I have looked into possibly getting it from the International Teacher Training Organization in Guadalajara. It's looks pretty good, but I was just wondering if anyone has had experiences with it or have at least heard anything about it. Hope someone has some advice!

aisha · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 2:24 pm Post subject:

What month were you thinking of going? I'm attending that school in may. I don't have any experience or first-hand knowledge of the school but I picked it because they have the required number of practice teaching hours (I believe more than the requirement) and they help you find a job. I'm sure others will pipe up soon and respond to this.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

aisha · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:59 pm Post subject:

Not required I guess.....but I've heard that in order for a TEFL certificate to be acceptable (if you have no teaching experience) that it should have at least 8-10 hours of teaching practice.

shay · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Edmonton, Alberta

I'm not completely sure when I'm going. I know most classes around there start in August but to be honest I want to spend most of my summer here. And the people at ITTO just tell me there is no best time....so I'm thinking maybe September. But it's good to hear someone else thinks it looks like a good place. Where are you looking at teaching afterwards?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Teaching jobs are available for starts year round in Mexico, but there are best times when there are more openings...usually late-August or early January.

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

I took the ITTO course in May. Most of the jobs offered to us started in mid-August. Only a few were able to start right away. For those of us who wanted to travel before starting work, that was perfect! There are jobs available all the time, but as Guy said, some times are better than others.

As a bit of advice, get your degree and other documents apostilled or legalized (depending on your country), before you come to Mexico. I was told by ITTO that I wouldn't need my degree to get a job. Therefore, I had to get a friend to go through the hoops of getting everything legalized for me in Canada after I had arrived here and been offered a job.

If you want any more specific comments, feel free to PM me.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

ITTO would probably be right on not needing the degree in some cases...perhaps in Jalisco where they are based. Often, their cert, because it's issued in Mexico, is all one needs for the FM3, without an apostille or translation. We've had the same experience with ours in DF and other states. Some immigration offices require the degree though, as do some schools, for the work permit.

shay · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Okay, this may sound really dumb, but I have no idea what you mean by 'legalizing' my degree. How do I go about doing this?
Thanks for the quick responses!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Some info here...

For Canadians...

http://www.embamexcan.com/CONSULAR/FQGettingMarried.shtml
http://www.consulmex.com/eng/consular_legalizations.asp

For everyone...

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=31872

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

[quote="Guy Courchesne"]ITTO would probably be right on not needing the degree in some cases...perhaps in Jalisco where they are based.

True. But many ITTO students have no idea where they want to work until they arrive in Mexico. To make the whole process easier, it would be best to advise everyone to bring all documents, just in case. Here in Veracruz Immigration didn't seem to care about the TEFL cert but definitely wanted a degree. Since it varies so much across Mexico, I think it's better to have all the documents available, if they should be needed.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Definitely, sound advice. You just never know with immigration. Acapulco lately has been going by the book, whereas before, they would hand out FM3's on a wink and a handshake.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

That would be a mis-estimation of exactly who takes such courses.