Job Discussion Forums

[SETH D]

I am exploring teaching english abroad as a way to be able to finance spending more time in Mexico so as to improve my language skills and build my resume for a future internationally-oriented career. However, I have many questions that I need answered as I consider whether or not teaching english would be a prudent or even viable means of doing so, and I need brutally honest, real-world answers from people at ground zero who are actually engaged in this. I am hoping that the members of this forum can help to answer some of the following questions. I know that my posting is long and contains many questions, so feel free to simply answer only whatever question(s) you can provide input on.

1. If I graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree this coming May and then attend a 4 week TEFL certification course, would my qualifications be competitive when searching for paid teaching employment in Mexico?

2. Would holding a Management degree assist me in perhaps finding better paying employment in areas such as teaching Business English? (does this even pay better?)

3. Would having a conversant knowledge of Spanish and my study abroad experience in Mexico better my employment prospects?

4. As an inexperienced entry level teacher with the above qualifications, would I realistically be able to expect to support myself with a teacher's salary in Mexico? What salary should I realistically expect based on what would be my limited qualifications?

5. Would I realistically earn enough to also pay $100 a month on outstanding college loans?

6. Would the time demands of an english teaching job exceed the usual 40 hour work week and therefore perhaps constrain my opportunities to learn the language/culture of Mexico?

7. It is very important to me to work in Mexico legally and within the guidelines of the law. (Yes, I am aware that the "rule of law" in Mexico can be a quite loose phenomenon indeed, but nevertheless I would wish to be law-abiding both for ethical and practical considerations). To keep everything above board and get a valid FM3, etc, what type of institutions would I be most advised to search employment with that would share the same ethical concerns?

8. What qualifications/background/personal characteristics would make an english teacher more competitive from the perspective of a hiring Mexican language institution and thus better one's chances of securing employment as well as securing a higher pay rate?

9. I am 24 years old and will turn 25 this July. I know that in Mexico sometimes there is an age preference--at times even overtly stated--for those working in certain positions. Would my age likely be an advantage, disadvantage, or simply irrelevant in looking for a job?

10. I am particularly interested in working in Guadalajara. How plentiful are the job opportunities in that city?