Job Discussion Forums

[gdlmx1229]

Is anyone familiar with the International Teacher Training Organization in Guadalajara? I am enrolled in their TEFL course in April.

Does anyone have any advice for finding English teaching positions in Guadalajara?

Thank you!

[sunrader]

You'll get a lot of different opinions on this, so I want to get one in here. I loved it! No, it's not perfect, but, it was really pretty good. I've gone on since then to get a Masters and I still think it was useful. I loved the intensity of it and being with the group in this really intense study experience with everyone embarking on a new adventure, but groups differ. Go into it with a good attitude and you'll probably get a lot out of it. That's the program. As far a GDL, when I was there, the market was pretty competitive precisely because a lot of people came to ITTO and liked GDL and wanted to stay. Good luck, either way. Enjoy.

[gdlmx1229]

Thank you for your response! I'm glad to hear that you loved ITTO!

When did you take the course?

Where did you stay duing the course?

Were you able to find a teaching position immediately after the course in your preferred geographical area?

[sunrader]

I was there in May 2005.

I stayed at Casa Vilasanta which was one of the best places I've stayed in Mexico in my opinion. It was a set up through ITTO. It was cheap, clean, and filled with ITTO people. It was pretty quiet in the interior rooms but, at times, really full. Pretty good free internet access, but, if you want to use it a lot, you will be really so much happier if you have wireless on your own laptop. I had some of the best times of my life hanging out on the roof with the other trainees, drinking beer, and talking grammar. It was definitely the cool kids space. I visited a couple of others and they were stodgy and kind of restricitive. I think there were a couple of people who didn't care for it, but they were the kind of people who didn't seem to realize that going to Mexico meant leaving the U.S. if you know what I mean.

Yes, I had what I considered a pretty good job offer before I finished the course, but I ended up going to grad school instead. I've needed to correspond with ITTO a couple of times and have always gotten good service from them.

[gdlmx1229]

I'm very glad to hear that you have so many good things to say about ITTO! I will actually be staying at Casa Vilasanta too and it sounds like a really nice place.

Did everyone in your course have job offers before the course ended? Did anyone have a hard time finding a teaching position that paid enough in an area in which they wanted to live?

Thank you for your help!

[sunrader]

I can't speak for everyone. I know some people chose not to work right away and a few people either weren't happy after taking a job or weren't happy with ITTOs idea of a job and found their own. Most people were, at least upon finishing, pretty happy.

[sarliz]

I went to ITTO and was pretty happy with their course, too. For me, the most valuable thing they give you is actual practice teaching experience, which helps you leave with some confidence in the classroom. I also stayed at Vilasanta, which was awesome, and landed a good starting out-type job in a region of my choice (Oaxaca). I also recently had the joy of hiring a teacher through ITTO, and had a good experience with them on that side, too. They have a new guy handling the job placements and, according to my new teacher, he does a nice job helping you get what you're looking for. Hope this helps!

[Roy Briggs]

I've heard this training is good but don't accept a school job assignment / recommendation without checking out the school yourself first. There are some real stinkers you can haplessly end up in contract with.

[gdlmx1229]

Thank you for your advice!

How recently did you all take the course at ITTO?

Do you know if there is free wireless internet access in the private rooms at Casa Vilasanta or just in the common areas?

Is the water at Casa Vilasanta potable?

Is the kitchen there easily accessible?

Are graduates of the ITTO course generally offered full-time teaching positions or do they have to take the initiative themselves to find decent employment?

Thank you so much!

[deeb]

Not to hijack the thread, but a clarification on the water question.

The water coming out of any tap in Mexico should not be drunk. However, hotels and restaurants will all have bottled water and hotels should, generally, give you access to a garrafon, or large water jug, for free.

I've not stayed at the Casa Vilasanta, but I've placed my students there and they did not say anything about lacking water.

[gdlmx1229]

During the ITTO course, did you have a lot of free time or did the coursework take up most of the time?

Were there assignments outside of the classwork?

Thank you!

[sunrader]

My (borrowed) laptop worked in my room and on the roof, but, as I recall, a little better out in the common area. Vilasanta provided water. Everyone had a space in the commercial size fridge and a basket on a shelf for food. You could pay for lunch or cook whenever you wanted.

The course was intense. We started teaching the first week (which some of us did not anticipate) and often had homework, planning for classes or exercises or a paper to write. People with more energy than me still managed to go out at night sometimes and we all took a couple of weekends off to go places or have visitors, but it was intense. No question about that. Also there were a couple of Saturday classes to be taught for at least some people.

One thing that surprised me - since I had to teach immediately, I also needed nice clothes right away. I hadn't planned on that and had to go shopping.

Don't miss going to Tequila. I still think of it fondly. But don't waste money on a tour. Get the class interested in going together. We had a blast.

[gdlmx1229]

Was the course generally 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday?

How many hours of homework was typical each evening?

Thank you!

[sunrader]

Sorry, I don't remember exactly. A lot. I remember it being a lot.

[gdlmx1229]

Thank you for all of the information! I really appreciate it!