Job Discussion Forums

[ESLmontana]

Hello!


I'm just needing some advice, or for a few to point me in the right direction in regards to teaching in Mexico.

I spent nearly five years teaching ESL in Asia (mainly to young learners), so I am no stranger to the classroom. I do have a degree and posses a TEFL certificate. Granted, it is from ITTT (online...100 hours), but my experience has enabled me to go "toe to toe" with almost anyone in regards to teaching. So, I am not worried about my teaching abilities.

I have been searching for job boards that are aimed at the ESL market in Mexico. But, I can't seem to find any. If anyone has the info on that, I would appreciate it.

Furthermore, some of you suggest that simply coming down to Mexico and looking for a job on your own is a good way to secure a solid position. Well, I'm not sure if I can do that. I do see the value in going through a reputable placement agency (after the homework and check ups are done) for first jump. If anyone knows, I would appreciate some info.

Also, are there folks here who made the leap from teaching ESL in Asia to Latin America? What was it like?

Hmmmm...lets see...what else? Oh, what is a reasonable salary to request? Yes, I know this depends on ones lifesytle. But given my experience and all, can anyone give me a ballpark figure? I am thinking no less then 8,000 pesos a month.........??????

I have thought about coming there for some time. I lived in Texas for a number of years, so I am not a complete stranger to the Latin American culture...........good food to!


OK........any and all advice would be great. And, if there are those who are looking for a teacher out there, give me a PM.

Cheers.

eslmontana

[ESLmontana]

Wow........a little over 20 views and not one reply.


Interesting.

[rbeard2]

Ha ha! 8,000 pesos a month!!! Try 4,500!! That's normal, and you'll most likely have to pay for gas, water, ect. Good luck! It's a lot harder than you think, and things in Mexico are way more expensive than you'd think too!

[Guy Courchesne]

Depends a lot on where in Mexico you'd like to go, what sort of teaching job you're looking for, and when you'd like to come.

If you can turn your degree (in what field?), TEFL cert, and experience into a decent job in a better paying district, then you can do much better than 4,500 or 8,000 pesos per month. Primary or secondary school, if you qualify, and if you get in at the right time of year (August start) can yield anywhere from 6000 to 15000 per month. Pretty much a given that the most opportunities at this level are to be found in bigger cities, though that's not to say smaller cities have no opportunities.

Sticking with language schools means lower earnings, especially in smaller centers. Most language schools work on hourly rates, between 40 and 75 pesos per hour, and don't often provide more than 20-30 hours per week.

rbeard2...you were making 4,500 a month where you were? What were your costs like?

[ESLmontana]

Cheers, for that.


Well, I enjoy working with the young learners.....elementary school students. I do enjoy the occasional adult classes, but over time I get bored with them. So, I'll stick with the kids.

Oh....my degree is in Sociology.

In regards to location, I would be flexible. I don't see landing the dream job in the dream location my first time around, so I gotta keep my options open.

Cheers.

eslmontana

[rbeard2]

Guy,

I was working for Culturlingua in Periban de Ramos, Michoacan. The teachers were responsible for paying for:

gas
1/4 of the school's electricity (because our house was in the school)
water
internet (optional of course)
our own Mexican cell phones (optional but we weren't allowed to use the school phone)
food

[Guy Courchesne]

I ask because I'm always collecting cost-of-living data from around Mexico.

Did 4,500 cover those costs, or did you have to go out of your own pocket? I am unfamiliar with that particular town and how much it costs to live there.

[dixie]

Private schools are where you will want to be looking then, and with your qualifications and experience you should be able to secure a full-time (provided its the right time - beginning of the year, or right when someone leaves).

If you do work full-time for a private school then you should expect to make something in the range that Guy mentioned (I would think the higher end of it, but again, that will depend on the location of your school).

Seeing how you would like to work with kiddies, I would skip the whole job placement service and do the research yourself. Most schools have webpages, or at least contact information online, that you can search for and then call/email. Personally, I think it would be better for you, and preferred by the school, if you did the question asking/contact making directly.

[rbeard2]

Guy,

It covered the costs okay, but I did end up spending A LOT of my own money.

To give an idea of the costs of living in Periban,

a small jar of peanut butter was about 35 pesos, a 10 gallon water jug was 17, a six pack of canned beer was 70, yet a 40 oz glass bottle of beer was only 18, a quesadilla was 15, a bottle of pop was 11, the gas was about 300 a month, a pay as you go cell phone was like 400, a bus ticket to Mexico City was 400 round trip, fruits and vegetables were fairly inexpensive- 2 or 3 pesos depending on what was fresh, 2 chicken *beep* were 35, etc.

Hope that gives an idea. It was really hit or miss on what you thought was going to be cheap.

[dixie]

[MELEE]

For the record,
I looked before lunch, but didn't have time to reply before lunch.

I think that with your qualifications you'd do a lot better than 4,500 I don't think that's normal for a qualified teacher. That's why I say Culturlingua is okay for a first job ever, but not for people like ESLmontana. He could probably easily shoot for 8,000. If those 4 years had been teaching mostly adults or you had an actualy a qualified primary school teacher you'd likely be looking at more. And of course a lot of Mexico is just the luck of the draw, being in the right place at the right time gets you the right job.

In most parts of the country I think the cut off for living expenses would be 6,000 a month, of course you can live on less--millions of Mexicans do, but they are not foriegners in Mexico So in many places anything above 6,000 a month would be a cushion--of course some cities, or parts of cities, are more expensive.

A lot of people have taught in Asia before coming here. While I know a few people who have gone back to Asia, it seems like more people prefer Latin America.


Canned beer? ewwww.

[Samantha]

BIG RED N wrote:

[Guy Courchesne]

[MELEE]

I was given a can a beer for free last Nov. in Veracruz--I think it was a Sol. (maybe Themadatter remembers?) I could only get about 3/4th of it down.

I'm sure I've seen signs for $59 for a six.
I always buy returnables...

$450 a month of cell phone useage also seems steep--hey guys don't use those things to call home!!!

[rbeard2]

Samantha,

RELAX