Job Discussion Forums

[DalTex]

I just finished my 4 week TEFL course here at the Vancouver Language Centre in Guadalajara. I had virtually NO information about the school on this forum. I traveled here in August to check out ITTO, but was much more impressed with the facilities and the personell at VCL. They also seemed to promise more at "placement time" than ITTO. I started the first of October. It has been nothing but a good experience for me. I begin teaching on Monday, October 29. I�ll have 4 classes at the same school I received my TEFL from. I never expected to be working so soon or teaching so much. Just thought you might like to know.

[Guy Courchesne]

I was impressed with the VLC facilities too when I visited them some time ago. They're the classier act of the two courses in GDL.

Glad you've had a good experience and I hope you'll enjoy the new job!

[john_n_carolina]

DalTex, what type of classes will you be teaching and (if you don't mind) how much are you paid?

you can PM / email me, if you prefer

[DalTex]

I�m teaching Level 5, 9, 12, 17 (Level 17 is the last level). They are all conversation classes. I�m working about 30 hours a week. Making about $200 a week. Not too shabby for my first job and only 30 days in-country. Looking at Interlingua and American Consulate for jobs as well. Hopefully by January I�ll be over $1,000 per/mo.

[dixie]

Those salary numbers are in USA dollars, right?

[Samantha]

You are looking at the American Consulate for a teaching job? Don't they already speak English?

You started teaching today, right? Do let us know how it works out for you. Glad you enjoyed the course, though. That's good positive feedback.

[MO39]

[DalTex]

Yes, US Dollars. Haven't got a paycheck yet, but that's what they tell me. The overall program at Vancouver Language Centre seems very substantial. The campus is awesome. It's in a great location. It's a new campus, only been in this facility for 6-8 months. The children's school is located about a mile away. It would give the American school a run for it's money. Very nice campus. My TEFL instructor was an absolute gem! GDL is an awesome city. Just got to find a way to live here. As has been noted, it ain't cheap livin' here!

[FuzzX]

Maybe we can have a Puerto Vallarta & Guadalara meetup group... it seems like u guys are all over there. I haven't heard to much about english teachers here but I can see why. I just moved here and we had to call the bombaros to remove 4 killer bee nests in some trees near my house but I digress.

Is Guadalara some kind of huge city or something?

[DalTex]

I went for an interview yesterday at Interlingua here in GDL. I basically walked out of the interview. The guy who interviewed me could not even speak good English! It turns out, he is the director! The classes start at 6am and go until 10pm and the starting salary is 6800mxp per/mo! After 1 year they will re-evalute you. AND you have to teach Level 1-4 for 3 months! AND you have to take their 3.5week training! Just thought you guys might like to know this info.

[Samantha]

You mention training like it's a bad thing. Some schools do that. Language schools are open the hours that their clients can attend, before and after work. The clients are their bread and butter. Most teachers that teach early have several hours off during the day to do whatever they want, at least that's been my experience. I've done both early classes and late classes. Late classes are difficult because the students are tired from working all day. Incidentally, there are places that pay less than that, something you will find out as you inquire around. What's wrong with levels 1-4? A teacher looking for work has to be on ready to teach all levels.

[MO39]

[GueroPaz]

DalTex, almost all of us started out teaching the lower levels for a year or two after finishing our TEFL courses. Language centers can be the pits if you don't like split shifts. I can't imagine teaching advanced EFL right out of TEFL class, and my grammar was good. But the field is just too immense to expect a newbie to teach advanced students on the differences in national dialects, to know how to explain countless points, to teach how to organize and edit an essay, etc.

[DalTex]

Ok. I get the point. Thanks for your responses. I am wet behind the ears. It was just a surprise to me. I was just sharing my experience. I am exploring GDL and keeping you all informed with my adventures. Hope you enjoy them and aren't so "teachery" in the future. *Smile* This is fun!

[MO39]