Job Discussion Forums

[Canuck Gypsy]

Hi there,

I'm a 32 year old Canadian woman looking to relocate to Mexico to teach. I have a BA earned in 2013 (unrelated field - Criminology and Psychology), as well as a TESOL certificate (I got it 10 years ago, however). I spent a year teaching kids, teens, and adults in Indonesia (also 10 years ago). I have a beginner level of Spanish (possibly intermediate if I am being generous with myself). I was hoping to draw upon the experience of this forum to answer a few questions I have:

1) Do my qualifications seem suitable for getting work fairly easily in Mexico? Do you think it will hurt me that my TESOL (and my teaching experience) is 10 years old? Do you think that the fact that my BA is in unrelated field will hurt me?

2) I’m wondering if people could suggest some of the best cities for me to research (in terms of lots of work, reasonable pay, low cost of living, and liveability?). I’m not too crazy about Mexico City.

3) Can anyone inform me about the current Apostille situation in Mexico for Canadians? Is this necessary? Do I need to have this done to my documents before I get there? Is anyone aware of the current process?

4) I’m wondering if anyone has any ideas or information on other possible sources of part-time work or income (besides teaching, online teaching, and private lessons)?

5) Any other advice or information that you feel may be useful would be much appreciated!

Thank you in advance

[notamiss]

3) Canada isn’t a signatory to the Apostille Convention, so our equivalent is called ‘legalization’. Canadian documents for use abroad must be certified (legalized) twice; first the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and subsequently by the consulate of the receiving state (i.e. the Mexican Consulate). See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention#Legalization.
You’d want your birth certificate and your degree certified (yes, even though it’s unrelated to ESL). Also your TESOL certificate – is it from Canada? If not, it should be apostilled in the country where you got it.
When I got my documents certified, it was relatively easy because I was in Ottawa at the time, and I could visit the relevant Foreign Affairs office and the Mexican Consulate in person. I’m afraid I don’t know what people in other parts of Canada do.

[Canuck Gypsy]

Thanks, that is very helpful!