Job Discussion Forums

cgage · Joined: 14 Oct 2006 Posts: 73 Location: Memphis

I have an elementary education license with an endorsement in K-12 ESL
which is good in most states in the US. In addition, I have a batchelor and master in other subjects. I have several years experience teaching Mexican kids and speak some Spanish. Do I need to bother with getting TEFL? How do I get my diplomas notarized (what's the Spanish term?) in the US.
PS I used to post here some time but decided Mex wasn't for me. Now things have now gotten so bad in my city that I have to carry a loaded pistol just to sit in my front yard. Time to move on or something.

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

In Mexico most language schools and private schools (where the bulk of teaching work is) will ask you to have a Bachelors degree. My understanding is that a TEFL Certificate is not required in most areas - but it certainly is helpful.

If you want to get into a better school or a university level job, many institutes want to see both a degree and a teaching/TEFL certificate. Since you have some kind of teaching certificate already, you don't really need a TEFL Certificate --- but it will help open some doors.