Job Discussion Forums

[alellis]

Hello, I am considering going to Mexico to teach ESL (I studied there for a year and speak Spanish). I was just wondering if someone could please tell me what it is like working as an ESL teacher in Mexico and if they enjoy the job.

I am debating on whether or not to stay here in the US or go to Mexico and I have to decide by the time I graduate this May (I am freaking out because I am afraid that if I go I will end up staying there forever and it kind of freaks me out!).

Do you enjoy the job?
What is your schedule like?
Perks? Benefits?
Pay? (I have student loans to pay back)
Anything else I should know?


Much appreciated! Thanks!

[geaaronson]

Just remember that if you are earning less than $20,000 you will be able to defer payment of your student loans. Of course when you return to the STATES to live permanently and get that 35,000 dollar high school teaching position, you will have to begin paying the loan back. Just make sure to notify Stafford loans or whomever that you are living in Mexico and only making 12,000 in income, (which is your likely income if you are working for a language school).
It`s just like every place else. There are good places to work and bad places. Read all the discussions on this website and you will get an idea of what to look for in terms of employment here in Mexico.

[jfurgers]

If you're going to be working for a language institute teaching adults, you'll probably need to work full time to make it. Or work at two different schools (one in the mornings and the other in the afternoons).
You could always try teaching privately.
The ones I've been to hear in Mexico City don't really pay well so you have to work more than one job. I'm not sure about all of the language schools here, but the ones I've talked with don't have any benefits. That may be different in different parts of Mexico.
You could always try working for a private school for rich kids like Cedros. I believe they give benefits but you have to be able to put up with kids who don't listen to the teacher at all (that was my personal experience).
You'll have to get your loans placed in deferment. You should have no problems doing that since you're graduating. You'll automatically get six months.

I personally like teaching adults and I enjoy my work. But everyone is different. VERY IMPORTANT! Bring 3 to $5,000 dollars with you. I mean, have it in a bank in the States and use your debit card to make withdrawals here in Mexico.
You'll need that to get by while you're looking for a job and paying rent. Make sure before you leave the States that you call the number on the back of your debit card and let them know you're moving to Mexico, and which part, and that you'll be using the debit card there.
That way they know it's you using it. If you don't call them before you leave they may cut the card off after it's used once in Mexico. They do this for security reasons.
That's what Wells Fargo told me before I left so double check with your bank to make sure.

[Jetgirly]

I think you should read my thread entitled, "Why are prepa students so horrible?"

[guatetaliana]

haha, ditto to jetgirly. Her experience is like an extremely outrageous version of mine. All I can say is for us young folks, teaching English in Mexico is not generally what it is in other parts of the world.

If you want to teach in Mexico, you've got to be in it for the long haul in my opinion. With all you go through for the work visa, securing livable salary/wages, building up the hours you need, assembling clients for private teaching, etc., making contacts with the desirable employers, etc., you're talking about a matter of years before I'd say it's truly rewarding. And that's only if you survive the undisciplined, disrespectful, arrogant, careless attitudes of the students for all that time.

I personally wouldn't recommend it to any recent college grad I know, but if it's you're truly passionate about teaching English in Mexico, do it. However, if it's something you want to do to enjoy your post-college life and experience a bit more of the world, I would highly recommend heading to somewhere in Asia where the pay is great, the students are more manageable, and you don't feel as compelled to stay around long-term to make your investment worthwhile. Or if you're up for unlawful employment (not that I'm condoning it), there is a great time to be had in Europe.

Good luck on your decision-making!

[jfurgers]

[jfurgers]

[jfurgers]

[alellis]

So, basically all of you hate your jobs teaching in Mexico?

I was thinking to go long term because I have lived there before and wanted to go back....but everyone makes it sound terrible

[TheLongWayHome]

[Guy Courchesne]

High schools and elementary schools are touch and go. There seem to be a lot of bad ones according to the folks posting here, but there are quite a number of good ones you won't hear about too.

Same for private classes...location is very important for that. A lot of the teachers who that work business English or private students make a very good living doing it, and there is no shortage of work in DF. That is clearly going to be harder and at lower pay in smaller towns. For guatetaliana, it may take years to set up a network, but most in DF do it in a few months as they learn the ropes.

[Milenka]

What's your degree in? If you're fond of Mexico, couldn't you come to work in something other than teaching English?

[Oreen Scott]

I teach at a small private language school. Things aren't perfect, but I refute some of the postings that have been written here.

I teach one children's class. Although I'm not trained to teach children and wish I didn't the children are extemely well behaved and eager to learn. The age range is a killer 7 to 13, and the 7 year olds are not able to keep up.

The hours are taking some getting use to. 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Then I'm free until 4 p.m. and work until 9 p.m. with an hour, from 5 to 6 for dinner.

The pay isn't enough to pay student loans or save money. But it's a livable wage. $6,000 pesos/mnth plus room and board and transportation provided. No state benefits such as health care, but I believe the school is working on providing state benefits at some point in the future.

I haven't been here long enough to figure out how much money I need for things like shampoo, toothpaste and the occasional bottle of white wine. All of which is about 1/2 the price it was at home because I buy Mexican products.

I don't plan to stay in Mexico for more than a year. I'm an outgoing person and find it easy to talk to the Mexican people I meet and if I wanted to I could pick-up indepentdent work quite easily as the people of Chihuahua know very well the importance of learning English. However, I don't want any hours other than those I'm already working.

My Fm-3 states independent which I did not actively seek, just got lucky I guess.

If I needed to earn a lot of money I wouldn't come to Mexico. But the people are warm and friendly. I feel absolutely no prejudice, although I'm treated like a guest rather than a bonafide member of the country. I think it woud always be like that.

I see the northern part of Mexico as vibrant and propering, but not without its problems. Chihuahua is very modern, yet Mexican in its unhurried relaxed nature. No one is ever on time!!! GRRRR!!!

[NinaNina]

I agree with Oreen. Last year, I taught children and teenagers in Oaxaca (some rich, some middle class) and I found them charming. Most of them were motivated if I kept the pace lively and the topics interesting. They never did their homework, but I appreciated that they would at least attempt to rush and get it done right before class started.

I wonder if the experience was easier for me, though, because I am older (40) and had a good amount of teaching experience in the United States. I also am more of a participatory, conversation-based teacher rather than a by-the-books type. I remember one fresa type teenager who rolled in front of me on the floor on the first day of class, "Teacher, I'm bored!" I had him teach the remainder of the lesson to the class and he was phenomenal! If I was 20, I might have been more threatened by his behavior.

Although I've moved on to a new career of freelance writing because it sometimes pays better and has a great schedule, I do miss teaching.

Serena
Mexican Pop Spot
http://mexpop.blogspot.com/

[jfurgers]