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ecl
Joined: 19 Dec 2004
Posts: 27
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 Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 11:07 am Post subject: Oaxaca |
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| I should be grateful if anyone could provide me with any links to schools or univeristies in Oaxaca. I have more than 15 years experience in TEFL, most of it in the Middle East, where I have lived for more than 10 years, and an MA in TESL. Thank you. |
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MELEE
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 2583
Location: The Mexican Hinterland
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| Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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| By Oaxaca, do you mean the state or are you just interested in Oaxaca City? |
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ecl
Joined: 19 Dec 2004
Posts: 27
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| Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 5:58 am Post subject: |
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| Thank you for your reply. Preferably in Oaxaca City. I've been isolated for too long in a dusty backwater one hour up the road from Dubai. |
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C-Guy
Joined: 11 Oct 2005
Posts: 9
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 4:02 am Post subject: oaxaca |
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I think Oaxaca would be a great place to teach (mainly from what my mexican friends tell me about their vacations to Oaxaca state). Apparently, it is a really beautiful place!
Do you know if it is hard to find work down there (city or state)? Is the city easier because it is larger than other parts of the state? Typically how much experience would you need before you could land a (decent) job in Oaxaca? Do you have any insight? [I know decent is pretty subjective- but working legal, with enough money every month, etcetera]
I know MEELE's location says Oaxaca... is that city or state?? (hope it's not too personal) Do you have any insight? |
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ls650
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
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| Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 12:14 pm Post subject: Re: oaxaca |
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| C-Guy wrote: |
| Do you know if it is hard to find work down there (city or state)? Is the city easier because it is larger than other parts of the state? |
In the city of Oaxaca, full-time work is very difficult to find. In the smaller rural towns of Oaxaca, work can be easy to find. For example, my university typically hires folks with a BA, some kind of TEFL certificate, and a minimum of one year of experience. Even with such relatively lax requirements, we have a great deal of difficulty recruiting staff; I guess the majority of folks want to live in a city environment. |
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dribom
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 17
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: oaxaca |
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[quote="ls650"]
| C-Guy wrote: |
| For example, my university typically hires folks with a BA, some kind of TEFL certificate, and a minimum of one year of experience. Even with such relatively lax requirements, we have a great deal of difficulty recruiting staff; I guess the majority of folks want to live in a city environment. |
Hmmm... that sounds nice. Are you recruiting this August? |
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ls650
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
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| Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: oaxaca |
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| dribom wrote: |
| Hmmm... that sounds nice. Are you recruiting this August? |
Try sending me a PM around the end of June, and I'll let you know who to contact. My guess is we'll need to hire two or three new staff, but it's too early to tell for certain. |
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dribom
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 17
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 9:37 pm Post subject: Will do |
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| Thanks indeed |
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MELEE
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 2583
Location: The Mexican Hinterland
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| Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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Okay, I'm finally able to get back to this.
No, I don't actually live in Oaxaca, Oaxaca, but if I put the name of my city no one would have a clue where that was. I-m two and a half hours (hairpin curves 75% of the way) from Oaxaca City. The town is considered Oaxaca's second, third or fourth most important city depending on who you talk to. I generally agree with it being the 3rd in size. Its also a major hub for commerance and travel for the region and always bustling despite the fact it has no industries. I've lived here 8 years so obviously I like it, but I can see how its not for everyone.
Oaxaca City is a very lovely place that closely matches most foreigners ideas about what Mexico is like. It has a lot to offer the tourist or foreign resident and there for competitions is tough for jobs. There are native English speaking teachers at the public university, UABJO, infact even the US Consuler teaches there. There are several private universities in town. URSE (Universidad Region Sur Este) has many teachers, most part time. The Universidad Vasconcelos has foreign teachers, I'll contact the director, a former coworker and see if I can pass on her contact details. There are several private K-12 schools that also have native speakers, usually on a class by class basis. The Insituto Blaise Pascal is the most prestiguious. There are countless language schools, the big chains like Harmon Hall and Berltiz, and other independent schools. The best language school is called the Cambridge Academy.
I agree with others its hard to get a job there, not impossible, and it would be a trade off other aspects of life in exchange for poor hours and pay.
Good Luck, |
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Samantha
Joined: 25 Oct 2003
Posts: 2038
Location: Mexican Riviera
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| Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I've lived here 8 years so obviously I like it, but I can see how its not for everyone. |
Melee has hit on something really important when considering Mexico (though I realize she is talking about her specific area, and I could say the same for mine after 6 years). The reality is that life in Mexico is a life quite different from our home countries. Teaching here is not a vacation and inside the "wonderful culture" it isn't always so wonderful. I also believe you grow where you are planted. Mexico is all about attitude and you can be extremely happy here (as anywhere) if you choose to be (the positive lady in the SLP thread is a good example). Do thorough homework before coming to Mexico because overall, your location is not going to matter that much in the long run. |
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C-Guy
Joined: 11 Oct 2005
Posts: 9
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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So I have another question...
Would Oaxaca (city or state) be a place for someone just starting out? I have a BA (hon) and a TEFL certificate, with some volunteer experience at ESL classes here in Canada (the experience is the work with the TEFL certificate, mainly as an assistant in an ESL class). As well, I have a minor in Spanish grammar (so I can speak some and I am familiar with some of the differences between English and Spanish grammar).
Or, is Oaxaca best suited for people with at least a year of experience? |
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lozwich
Joined: 25 May 2003
Posts: 1536
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| Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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| C-Guy wrote: |
| Or, is Oaxaca best suited for people with at least a year of experience? |
Hey C-Guy,
I lived in the same town as Melee in my first year of TEFL-ing. I had a low-ish level of Spanish when I arrived, but it got a lot better very quickly! The biggest problem I had there was dealing with culture shock and being so far away from my home country (I'm Australian). I didn't know what was wrong with me at the time, but after a lot of soul-searching and reading a bit about it, I know now that that's what it was. Even though I had some good friends there (and still do!  ) I felt really isolated and lonely and quite lost most of the time, just because everything was so different.
So what I would suggest, if its your first time living in another country (as opposed to travelling) prepare yourself for dealing with culture shock, especially if you're going to be in a small town where you may not have access to things that are a bit more familiar to you.
I know this is not everyone's experience, but it was mine. I hope it helps.
Have a good day,
Lozwich. |
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cwc
Joined: 16 Nov 2005
Posts: 372
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| Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 11:44 pm Post subject: UNIVERSITY OWNER!!! HaHa!! |
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| ls650 wrote: |
| my university typically hires folks with a BA. |
Do you have a university? Are you the owner? Must be nice when you need a degree. Just print that puppy up!!!!
Where are all the people that called me on that terminology? |
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ls650
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
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| Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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cwc
Joined: 16 Nov 2005
Posts: 372
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 1:03 am Post subject: Got your point |
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That�s what I thought. Too stooped to answer, (bent over in shame).
Stooped not stupid.
Last edited by cwc on Sun Jun 11, 2006 4:18 am; edited 1 time in total |
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