Job Discussion Forums

[ogni strada]

Hello everyone

I have been reading these boards for a while now, thanks for all the valuable information posted on here.

I am planning on travelling from New York to Mexico in mid-April, equipped with little more than a newly acquired CELTA, $500 and a smile.
I intend to don my sharpest suit and knock on a lot of school doors, distributing CVs etc, until I find an employer or a sufficient number of privates to tide me over.

I would really appreciate thoughts on the following:

1) Do I have a reasonable chance of securing a job in a language school at that time of year?
2) Which city would be likely to yield best results?
3) I am only looking for work until October before I begin teaching in Novosibirsk - would that be a serious issue?
4) I plan on teaching teens and adults only - is this feasible?

Many thanks for all your time, any advice is greatly welcomed.

Saludos cordiales,

Mark

[john_n_carolina]

...do you have all your "papers" in order?

apostille, birth certificate, police clearance, etc?

check the sticky up top for Apostille info as this could take some time.

or, ask one of the "pros" here on what steps to take.

probably also, 1 good grammar book (if you don't have one) and some activity sheets, handouts, and exercise sheets?

[ogni strada]

Hey John_n_carolina,

Thanks for your reply.

I'm from the UK and I'm working in New York on a graduate scheme. All I posess in terms of paperwork are my passport and US J1 visa (which expires in April). I could ask my folks back in the UK to e-mail/mail me copies of my birth certificate/degree certificate if that would help?

I was thinking of visiting Mexico and finding work there on an ad hoc basis; I have got the impression that there are plentiful opportunites for an ESL teacher - perhaps naively.

I have numerous grammar books etc which I can bring down with me. At the present time though, I am in the 'is this a pipe dream?' stage of planning. Was hoping that it will turn out not to be, but I suppose forewarned is forearmed.

Thanks a lot for your time.

[Samantha]

John, a person doesn't need a "police clearance" to enter Mexico on a tourist visa, nor is it needed in order to get an FM3 issued in Mexico. It sounds as if the OP is going to be doing privates or working casually for a short period of time so a birth certificate is likely of no concern either, if he hasn't got it in his possession.

Mark, the biggest concern would be the amount of money you have to tide you over until you start receiving regular pay. Semana Santa (Easter time) is a two week school holiday, so not much will be happening until the latter part of April, as far as English classes. If a teacher fails to return after the vacation, it could be an ideal time to pick up a couple of months work. I think classes begin again on April 20th. Do up a resume (CV) and definitely get a copy of your degree or certificate. Schools like to see certificates. A copy scanned and emailed would do initially. There are hostels available in Mexico City, which may be the answer to your accommodation situation at first. Good luck with your adventure.

[TheLongWayHome]

Get a relative to apotille your CELTA in London and send it to you along with you birth certificate as you'll need them should you wish to get an FM3 (working visa). If you just plan on working casually/illegally on a tourist visa then don't worry about it.

Language schools are your best bet as they probably won't mind about you only being here a few months. Don't expect to make much more than for the necessities and to break even. Privates aren't an exceptionally good source of income as they can be very inconsistent. I wouldn't depend on privates to pay the rent.

What you're planning is doable, just bring much more money! It's not the best time of year to look for work but there's plenty of it here. 'Learning English' is being touted as the answer to your unemployment problems during the 'crisis'.

[ogni strada]

Samantha

Thanks for your reply and encouragement, much appreciated.

I am on various flight websites and have managed to find a good combination of flight and hostel deal for 7 nights. Arriving on Tuesday 21st April. I'm on the verge of booking it. This feels like a 'leap of faith' at this point and I am completely reliant on finding work when I get there. This will entail immediate pounding of the streets and networking on my part.

In your honest opinion, will there be opportunities for a newly CELTA qualified teacher in Mexico City? Is my idea unrealistic?

I am personable enough and have done well in interview situations in the past but I'm aware that if there aren't any jobs, it's a moot point. I'm a single male, 26 years old, so I can afford to take a risk at this point...although I would prefer the risk to be a calculated one.

If I'm more likely to find work in a city such as Buenos Aires, I don't have the luxury of wasting money on a flight.

Thank you so much for any advice, any thoughts will be really welcomed.

Mark

[ogni strada]

TheLongWayHome

Thanks a lot for your reply, it must have come through as I was typing the last post. I will try and bring as much momey as I can (on current grad scheme wages, I will be looking at max $800). I'm not looking at this as a few months of party opportunites, so I think I can live quite frugally on the necessities - at least until I find a way of bolstering my funds.

Much obliged.

[geaaronson]

I, too, am concerned by the lack of savings. Personally, I would never have done it, had I not had at least $2,000 to play with, but there have been others that have done it and to good results. The week prior to Semana Santa and the week immediately following are excellent times to get classes. I was offered 7 classes in the week following Semana Santa in 2007. I researched with www.computrabajo.com.mx for teaching opportunities. There are other websites as well. A CELTA certificate certainly is a big plus here and many of us don�t have that.

Mexico City is the place for jobs. Forget about the resort areas, every gringo wants a job in Merida, Acapulco or Playa de Carmen. Your chances of finding work might be better than the average, but classes are still difficult to get there.

[john_n_carolina]

...yeah, i wasn't quite sure about the police clearance. i thought it was needed for an FM3.

[MO39]

Regarding having enough money to tide you over till you start getting paid, you should keep in mind that you'll have to wait a month after you start teaching for a school to receive your first pay check.