Job Discussion Forums

[silverthorne]

Hello everyone!!

This is my first post so please be gentle

I'm planning on coming to Monterrey to teach English in the later part of this summer. I was just wondering whether people teaching there at the moment could give me some idea of what the city is like to live and work in. Plus, it would just be nice to have contact with some people there before I arrive!

I have a BA and an MA in French and German (language and literature) and a year's experience of teaching English in France in state schools. I plan to do a TEFL before going to Monterrey (probably with Teachers Latin America). What type of jobs would I be able to get and is it possible to live comfortably doing TEFL teaching in Monterrey? I don't expect to be rich

Well, that's it for now. Any info greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!

[guatetaliana]

Hi Silverthorne,

My husband and I have been teaching English in Monterrey for about six months. He teaches at an adult language institute and I just quit my job teaching fourth-graders at a private primary school (definitely be careful about taking jobs at primary schools, Mexican private schools are certainly a whole world in themselves, truly something to be familiar with before you would accept).

Anyway, Monterrey is a livable place if you can tolerate intense heat; it's generally above 35 Celsius from late February-early November, with high temps reaching 45 in July and August. A place with an air conditioning unit is pretty much essential - we've had to use ours off and on since January, and my husband grew up here!

I recommend having a car. The public transportation here is worse than in many other Mexican cities. The metro is pretty limited, and buses (NOT air-conditioned) take two hours to get us downtown vs. 20 minutes in a car. Taxis can get you around, but those fares add up quickly, especially if you have to travel any kind of distance.

If you can, try to give yourself a few weeks to figure out if you'll like it in Monterrey before you start teaching here. It's a very industrious city, fast-paced, not necessarily as friendly as other parts of Mexico may be. But it offers many conveniences, lots of wealthy people who will pay anything to learn English, and a pretty great nightlife!

Being fluent in French and German is a big advantage, as you can hopefully teach those as well to flesh out the hours you need to make decent money. You shouldn't have trouble coming up with the money you need to live simply here.

Good luck!

[J Sevigny]

I live in Monterrey and I have a pretty different take on the city than the previous poster.

Apart from Mexico City, I don't think any city in Mexico has better public transportation than Monterrey. Guadalajara's is a nightmare, partly because of the generally horrible traffic in the city, partly because the bus companies provide such lousy service.

I don't have a car. I travel to Tec de Monterrey, San Pedro -- a very rich suburb (actually its own municipality) in air conditioned buses. To get to one of my classes I have to take a non-air conditioned bus.

One thing to be aware of is that Monterrey is a relatively new city. The regios claim that the city is 400 years old, or something, but really, the place started to grow about 100 years ago. So you're you'll see Art Deco buildings here but nothing Colonial, really. On the other hand, there are some very good museums here and there's a lot to do in general.

The religion in Monterrey is work. There are plenty of opportunities to teach here but the city is more expensive than others. Rents can be high or low, depending on where you live. Work, work, work. These people are like worker ants.

The weather really is difficult to deal with. It's either incredibly hot or incredibly cold, but mostly just hot. I lived here for a long time without A/C but now I just can't do it -- and electric bills can be high.

Hope this is helpful.

best to everyone.