Job Discussion Forums

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

Wall Street Institute School of English

Harmon Hall

If you're new to Mexico City or are thinking about coming here to teach please stay away from the two schools mentioned above! And tell ANYONE and EVERYONE you know who is coming to Mexico City to stay away from these two schools!!!

WSI will not pay you after the training. They are having problems and should be avoided at all costs!! Unless you LIKE working for free.

HH won't pay you 100% of what they owe you. They will pay late. I periodically post regarding these two schools in Mexico City so people who are considering or are coming here won't get SCREWED by them the way I and many others were.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Both WSI and HH are known around the country for screwing trainees. I'll add Interlingua and Berlitz to the mix of 'schools' that do the same.

Do you really what to wear a name tag that begs 'would you like fries with that?'

awest · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 34 Location: DF

Ok was looking at AHPLA in mexico. I should be there...crossing fingers..by April and was going to set up an interview. Anyone have any comments about this company? Thanks in advance.

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

Surprisingly enough, here in Torreon, Harmon Hall seems to be very good about paying teachers on time and isn't a horrible place to work by Mexican standards. I know several of the teachers working at the two branches here and they are always paid on time and don't get screwed around with at all.

My point is this: Harmon Hall is a franchise company and that means some franchisees are great people to work for while others are nightmares.

That said, if you are a native speaker and have some kind of an education beyond high school, you ought to be able to find better work than HH. Most of their native speakers (here at least) returned 1st generation Americans who had to return to Mexico because of immigration or family issues.

thelmadatter · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:42 am Post subject: dang

dang! when I read ".... be careful of these 2" in the title, I went looking to see if I was one of the two! Laughing

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

AHPLA has an excellent reputation among recruiters. The owner of the British Academy of English referred me to them, my present recruiter/owner worked for them, I`ve seen their educational material and have been very impressed. I believe that Guy also recommends them. Seems like someone else recommended them, but don`t recall who.

MO39 · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 1:38 am Post subject: Re: AHPLA

awest · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 34 Location: DF

thank you for the information. Think I'll contact them and see. Will be down in the middle of March. You all are great!!!

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

From time to time, newbies and even those who have settled here in Mexico for some time, have queried about specific schools, their reputability and conduciveness to employment. For those who have gripes please check out the website, www.teflschoolreviews.com/category/regions/latin-america/mexico.There are several reviews for Mexican language institutes, some of which have been subject to discussion on these message threads.
So please, check out this website and add some input. Remember, there is some young, new teacher out there with a lot of energy and idealism who needs not to have his/her dreams dampened by employment in a situation that is bonkers.