Job Discussion Forums

[sierraforest]

Hello fellow humans...

I am a "newbie" who is currently teaching elementary school in Brooklyn as part of the NYC Teaching Fellows Program. I want to go down to southern Mexico for July and August. I would like to teach English but don't want to be "stuck" in one town or city. (I would like to have a bit of a break as well considering my current teaching job is super stressful ) Is it necessary to get ESL certification before I go? If I am not certified, where can I teach and how do I find these schools?

Becuase of my prior teaching experience and plans to my continue my career as a teacher I am unsure of how to go about getting a job. Is it possible to get payed over the summer? Should I type up a resume or is that only require for a long term assignment.

I know it is painfully obvious that I haven't done this before but I am excited to become a part of this community and learn from the wealth of knowledge and experience available here.

Mexico is just the beginning... I hope to use my teaching experience to travel and am unsure if I should spend money on an ESL certification course. This lounge is the first stop in my quest for information.

Any help, suggestions, ideas would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks!

Sierra[/i]

[Ben Round de Bloc]

I'm in SE Mexico. I'd say your chances of finding summer employment as an EFL teacher in this corner of the country would be very slim.

It's not necessarily because of your qualifications. At other times of the year -- and for longer duration; commitment of at least 6 months -- you could probably find a job based on your background in education and your teaching experience. However, most employers would give priority to applicants with EFL teacher training and EFL/ESL teaching experience. Even at that, decent jobs as an EFL teacher aren't plentiful here.

July and August are vacation months. In this city, most regular schools are closed, and enrollment is down at private language schools during that time. It's not the best time of year to be looking for a job teaching EFL.

[chula]

Hi. I�m in Guanajuato, Gto. in central Mexico and I�d have to agree with the message posted by Ben Round de Bloc. There really aren�t teaching opportunities here in the summer. Usually July and August are vacation months. And besides, you�d spend more money getting down here and getting papers and all that hassle than you would earn. I�d recommend that if you want to come to Mexico, that you save up a little money and come down here for the summer months. That way you could see what there is to offer, talk to people who live down here, and also have the opportunity to see a few cities to see where you would like to settle down if you decide to do so.

[sierraforest]

Hola... thanks for the advice. I will be getting paid over the summer from my current job, and I will have a truck to travel a bit, but I would still like to gain some experience teaching in another country.

What about volunteer work, or an "I will teach for food and board" sign strapped to my head. Do you think that would work I think you're both right about just seeing the country first, I guess I'm just anxious to get out of the big city.

If I plan to teach ESL/EFL for a full year probaby 2004/2005 would you advise that I get certified during the next school year or do you think I could get a job without the certification? Basically I want some advice before I lay the money down. Ideally I would like to teach and go to shool at the same time in another country. How do I do that? Oh... and what do you think of online schools? Ok no more questions (for now)

I appreciate all your help,

Sierra