Job Discussion Forums

[KJQW]

I will have my CELTA and a joint honours degree in Sociology with Educational Studies. If I live in Mexico City, and teach full time (hopefully!) will I earn enough to live off comfortably? I have read some very mixed reports when I did a search, with one guy saying that teaching 25 hours a week only covers a third of his living costs and read on another website that it's "unrealistic" for an English teacher to expect to support themselves! I don't need a 'palace' (am currently working in the Australian Outback and working as a "governess" so my standards aren't exactly high - a few creepy crawlies never hurt anyone and I actually like spiders). I will cook for myself most of the time and won't be out every night on the piss, but would like to go out for a few drinks/ meal occasionally ( I do not want to be a hermit). I don't have any kids or anything like that so it's just me.

Also, is it the norm to have your own appartment or to share one?

[wildchild]

i teach part-time, 18 hours a week, and I support myself. But I work at a Uni, where pay is much better than your average language school.

so go for a Uni job, or at a colegio where you will make even more, given that it's normally full time work.

i share a furnished apartment with a friend, i pay about 2000 pesos a month. When i was looking for places, i saw a few apartments that were cheap, but they didn't have anything inside: no fridge, no cup boards, no stove/cooker, no nada.

so we went with a furnished place, although more expensive.

also, around University zones, you will see ads. for rooms/apartments to let specifically for young ladies, or "senoritas." (i suppose they don't want males there making a debaucherous mess of the place...) so that might be a nice, inexpensive option for you in the beginning...

here's to hoping all goes well for you during your preparations.

if you have any more questions, we're here to help...


paying off debts back home will be a different matter, what with the exchange rate and all...

[KJQW]

Thanks! And thank you for the P.M, I can't reply because apparently you need to have made like 50 posts or something before being awarded that privilege and I have made a mere 4...

I know that schools hire in August and Language Schools hire throughout the year, but if I turn up in March or April what are the chances of actually getting work? How many jobs are floating around in the middle of the academic year? Obviously I can do some private tutoring as well, but that will take some time for me to get established and contacts etc!

[geaaronson]

Depends on what part of the country you are located. The week before and after Semana Santa is an excellent time to get work.

[Samantha]

Just before a big holiday such as Semana Santa or Christmas is not a good time to find work. The staff is concentrating on winding down for the holiday ahead and not concentrating on hiring. If you pop by schools once they resume classes after the break, you may well be hired to replace someone who doesn't return to work. Good luck.

[KJQW]

Thank you! It is great to have such specific information.

[Prof.Gringo]

If you live like a Mexican you can get by just fine.