Job Discussion Forums

business2300 · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60

I've heard for quite some time that people who teach english as a second language are a rare breed. The word has been that I should be very selective if having to live with another esl teacher. It was said that eslers are very tempermental, and that a bad house mate can be disastrous.

I'm ready to begin my esl career, but will be sharing accomodations with other teachers. Any suggestions or comments on what to look for, and beware of????

Should I look for my own housing?

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

There shouldn't be any reason why you have to live with other teachers...I can see how some schools would offer a rooming option to ease one into the culture (or in some cases, so the school owner profits from you living in their property Mad

).

Living with other people, teflers or otherwise, is an exercise in patience. If you think it's not for you, then plan to stay in a hotel, get a homestay with a Mexicn family, or seek something independent. It's not all that hard once you're in country.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

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

Shared housing seems to work better for those freshly out of college. Mature teachers (being PC here) are much more set in their ways. Settling into a foreign country is difficult enough without sharing a bathroom too. This applies to home-stays too. My suggestion is if you have lived on your own for many years, get private quarters.

business2300 · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60

Sounds accurate... although living with a Mexican person would be very interesting and have its benefits.

samizinha · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Vacalandia

My school paid for myself and two other Canadians to live together for 5 months. I moved out on my own after that. If I wanted to eat Canadian food, speak in English, and watch DVDs in English, I would have stayed in Canada.
Living with a Mexican family was fabulous, and they treated me as their daughter- but with a curfew and everything. I still call them my �family� but from a comfortable distance.

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

Some people say that all TEFLers are running from something or to something and I think that's true for the backpacker and recent graduate types. Some of them are here for reasons other than teaching, such as partying every night, lying on the beach etc. Those are fine activities but if that's the only reason for coming here...well, I wouldn't want to live with them! Rolling Eyes

But there are many "normal" people as well, so it depends a lot on who you end up with. I'd try it for a while, since it's a way of having someone to help you ease yourself into the culture. You don't have to make a permanent decision right away.

thelmadatter · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:17 pm Post subject: normal?

Who you calling "normal"?

tonydicer · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 81 Location: Monterrey, Mexico

Get your own place!!! There's a 95% chance the roommate will drive you nuts!

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

gordogringo · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 159 Location: Tijuana

The best memories I have from Taiwan teaching besides my kids were the friends I made living in the dorms. To this day almost 10 years later I correspond with every one of the 12 teachers I lived with. They are in 6 nations. I would say if you are new to the teaching scene living in a community situation may be good for you.But admittedly if you are "settled" (another pc term) then going solo may be better for you. For comradery I found living together was great. However,Mexico is not nearly as stressful a place to live in as Taiwan or China is and not nearly as much culture shock. So the benefits of living with other teachers may not be as much.

reddevil79 · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:47 pm Post subject:

I remember someone telling me once that all expats are one of three Ms: missionaries, mercenaries or misfits. I think with Mexico being so close to and easy to enter from the USA and Canada, it does attract its fair share of �characters� shall we say. I�ve met a number of men, and some women it has to be said, who, reading between the lines, were running away from something (take your pick from tax evasion, trouble with the law, drink, marriage breakdown, etc.).

It gets to a point where you start questioning whether people see you like this too, and what you�re doing here !? Shocked

In my case it�s a love of teaching and a love of Mexico, and I�m sure that�s why many others are here too. Mexico gets into your blood and it�s kinda hard to leave.

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

business2300 · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60

Now here is a totally honest individual.
I'm a fairly easy going person... but maybe that would apply to me as well. Who knows.
All in all, I think the older one is, the more difficult to live with other people. People are stuck in their own ways.