Job Discussion Forums

[TedSeastrom]

A book has just been published (Oct. 15, 2007) about teaching ESL in Mexico: CAN I LIVE AND WORK IN M�XICO?: A Guide to Living and teaching ESL in M�xico, by Doug Bower (CreateSpace). You can read some sample pages on Amazon.com using the "view inside" feature.

An excerpt: "What seems most alarming to me is that there is such an urban myth that you can breeze into M�xico, any part of M�xico, waltz into a local language school, and grab yourself a teaching job making a fortune. There are websites after website, usually trying to sell you an ESL workbook, an ESL recruitment service, or a school that will teach you how to be an ESL instructor, which all tell what amounts to lies. They will all but come out and say that you will live a life of unparalleled luxury in a romantic and exotic location and get rich teaching English to Mexicans. These websites are very easy to find and will lead you on a 'wild goose chase.'"

Comments? Has anyone read the book? Know the author?

[TedSeastrom]

Another perspective...

This guy wrote another book a few years ago:

The Plain Truth about Living in Mexico: The Expatriate's Guide to Moving, Retiring, or just hanging out (Universal Publishers)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/1581124570/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful/105-1417214-9083609?ie=UTF8&n=283155#customerReviews

Got lots of mixed reviews.

[Guy Courchesne]

Good find...I'd like to read it. The name Doug Bower is familiar...

I don't think anyone here on this board has ever said one can breeze into Mexico and make fabulous riches. Most of us here lament the lower wages and discuss cost of living in various places.

[Guy Courchesne]

Just going through a bit of this book on Amazon...pretty silly stuff. He surveyed at least 3 schools in every Mexican city and found that the vast majority pay 3 dollars an hour...some paid 5 , but that's the highest. His conclusion? A gringo can't earn a living in Mexico teaching English.

If one believed that every school in country pays 3 or 5 dollars an hour, then you would draw the same conclusion nationwide. He seems to paint every possibility of teaching English here as working for Interlingua it seems.

Missing?

-elementary, secondary, prepa, and university.
-business English type classes
-Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and other larger centers where jobs can be found that do pay much better than 30 pesos an hour.

[dixie]

Read the Amazon bits and found a few blogs by him. I am not impressed. Talks like he knows it all, but being an individual who lives here, I don�t agree. I don�t doubt that what he says is true, but it�s not the Truth.

[Samantha]

Two thumbs down. I doubt most who know him would recommend anything written by this guy. He is NOT an ESL teacher, nor does he have a clue about working in Mexico. Everyone has the right to make a living, but opportunists tick me off.

[john_n_carolina]

it's self-published

"CreateSpace, part of the Amazon.com group of companies, offers complete on-demand Book, DVD, digital content and CD publishing. The CreateSpace service produces and ships professional-quality copies of your product as customers order them, giving you the ability to start selling without high up-front costs or risks.

With our services, you can make your books, music and video available to millions of customers by selling on Amazon.com, the CreateSpace Shop, and on your own website with a customized eStore."

[MELEE]

[Guy Courchesne]

[Phil_K]

I already had that idea about writing that book! I saw a similar book (not necessarily ESL) in Liverpool years ago, then it disappeared. The problem with the joint venture is that we hardly ever agree with each other on the facts!

[TedSeastrom]

Okay, here's what's unfortunate: Go to Amazon and type "mexico esl" in the search box and this is the first book on the results list.

I didn't realize Amazon offered a vanity press (I actually worked there in January as a tech writer, reviewing Web services documentation.) This is scary. Anybody can write anything on a hot topic and it's going to get worldwide exposure on Amazon. Clearly no reputable publisher would publish this author.

One of the aspects of Internet media is there is no filter, which is good and bad. It does put a burden on the information consumer to do some research (such as through forums like this one). Unfortunately, not everyone does, and sometimes the person who shouts the loudest captures the crowd's attention.

One counterbalance is the Reviews section accompanying each book. Although I suspect authors get friends/relatives to post favorable comments to offset negative ones.

As a newbie, I can say that it's hard to get a sense of what's real in the ESL/EFL world. Just reading through lots of stuff, you get the distinct impression there are scams out there...and a whole range of people, motives, and qualifications.

This is where a chain of credibility helps. I was taking classes at Seattle University, an institution I know and respect. Through SU I found the School of TESOL, which is affliated with the university. The S-TESOL recommends Dave's as a trusted source of information. In IT, it's like setting up trust relationships and chains of authentication.

So...you guys should write a book! The marketplace for ideas is a competitive one. You could set up a wiki and create collaborative content.

[Phil_K]

[dixie]

[Samantha]

Richard Grabman, a poster on this forum, wrote a book for teachers which may still be available. He lived and worked in Mexico City for at least 5 years if I recall correctly.

http://www.lulu.com/richmx2

Here is what he's up to these days:

http://mexfiles.wordpress.com/

[john_n_carolina]

....i like the title that's from the song right? "Life in the fast lane" by the Eagles

...check out the resource / link page....tons of helpful interesting links on Mexico