Job Discussion Forums

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

I have a two-pronged question. I have been teaching independently and for a small agency (a good one, good pay, pays on time, etc. if anyone is interested email me privately) for a couple of years. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the US, and an online TESOL certificate. I am becoming wearing of all the travel involved in the private classes, and have decided that looking for a job in a school is the way to go. I think I will make about the same amount of money when I take into account all the unpaid travel time. However, what I am seeing is that many, even most, of the schools are asking for a Teacher's Diploma. The one school I contacted sent me some really general information about the class, but didn't provide a starting date. My question is this, does anyone know of a school that offers this class. I realize the class will be taught in Spanish, which is not a problem, and I need a program that is recognized by SEP. Thanks in advance.

Teresa

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

Your degree in elementary education is not sufficient? Where have you been applying?

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

I only called a couple of schools, but they both wanted a SEP recognized Teacher's from here in Mexico. But, you do bring up a good point, a 4 year degree is a lot more training, so perhaps they didn't understand, but either way, I am not opposed to taking the course, it has been a long time since I have taught in a classroom setting, so it might be a good refresher as well.

Teresa Rolling Eyes

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

The couple of schools you reached might not have experience hiring foreigners. A school that does hire foreigners will take your degree and experience and check it against SEP criteria to hire you, and from what I've seen, there are a lot of ways to approach that SEP fit. Your online TESOL might even be enough, though clearly your degree is what should be used.

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

The whole SEP thing is a little tricky but has an infinite number of loopholes - as does everything in Mexico.

What exactly are the schools asking for? A qualification recognised by the SEP or a qualification from a school recognised by the SEP? The only time I was asked for anything like this was when I taught at a SEP prepa. They wanted my literature degree to be stamped by the SEP in order to teach there. I went and investigated, found out the whole ridiculous process wouldn't be complete by the time the semester ended and it would probably have cost me most of what the school paid me during the semester! In the end they just made me write a letter saying I was in the process of getting my qualifications recognised.

As for courses, you could do a TKT or an ICELT but as Guy says, your online tefl cert should be enough to work in a language school.

What gets you a job, especially in a language school, is pretty much arbitrary. What gets you the FM3 has to be something related to English or the teaching of it.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 1:42 am Post subject:

A "teacher's" is what a TEFL/TESOL cert is called in Mexico. It's what Mexican English teachers usually have. They are heavy on grammar and theory, light on actual practice.

Some of the schools that do the so-called "teacher's" courses are SEP recognized, many are not. Also most of the "teacher's" courses run 180-240 hours, so many Mexican employers find the 120 hour TEFL certs to be "lightweight".

And Mexican schools often don't know anything about hiring foreigners, Welcome to Mexico (WTM)!

If you want to take a "teacher's" that's SEP recognised, PM me.

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

If you want to take a "teacher's" that's SEP recognised, >>>>

I wasn't able to PM you because I haven't posted 5 messages yet, I would appreciate if you would PM me with the information.

Teresa

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

I am quite confused by what you are stating.

I see no reason why you would need to take another course considering your BA, your certificate and your experience. Your BA did not lead to you becoming a licensed teacher in your state/province/country?

If the school is insisting on you taking another course I would look for another school; their inability to recognize your qualifications leads me to believe that the overall experience at the school will not be positive (yes - that's a generalization but I believe a valid one).

I also know enough people who have gained class-room work on nothing beyond thier TEFL certification so...I fail to understand why the schools are telling you that you need another course.

As mentioned before the school likely does not have experience hiring foreigners and as such they do not know how to deal with SEP in relation to your qualifications.

Also, as mentioned, there are many ways to deal with SEP. For example, a TA at our school was told by SEP that once she earned 4 credits from an on-site Masters course (from an American uni) they would permit her to be a teacher (and obviously she will con't working to complete the program in the following year). Many of those I work with are licensed from the States or Canada (as I am) and we have never been required to take any 'SEP recognized' course.

I doubt whatever course you take will be very valuable (to be honest) but if you have the time, money and interest, and these schools are your only option/interest, then go ahead.

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

I see no reason why you would need to take another course considering your BA, your certificate and your experience. Your BA did not lead to you becoming a licensed teacher in your state/province/country? <<<<<

Yes, I was certified in Illinois and Wisconsin, but that was many years ago. Certifications are not automatically renewed, at least not in WI, so I currently don't have one. I took a detour and worked as a News Editor for 5 years and then begin tutoring and teaching ESL. I haven't been certified to teach in the US in close to 15 years. And it's not just one school, I talked to two on the phone, and both said I had to have a SEP recognized "Teacher's Course". As well, I have applied by email to a couple of schools who also asked if I had a "Teacher's". I am currently giving private and small group classes, but am getting tired of traveling all over the creation, so am looking to make a change. On a more practical level, I haven't taught in a classroom setting in many years, so I think it would be a good refresher. To be honest, *I* don't see why I should either, but that is what they are asking for.

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

Well, if you are so hellbent on getting a teacher`s my impression is that the AngloMexicana over on Antonio Caso 6 blocks behind the US embassy is the primo program. I taught at one military academy and both my boss and the second head of the department were getting their teachers from there. When I left the academy I went to work for an educational recruiter who hired as her office manager a Mexican who had gotten his teacher`s there as well, mostly on that account.
But I agree with the others. You should look further afield and don`t be so hesitant about stating your qualifications. Are you sure the prospective employers are not taking into account your lack of confidence in displaying your credentials?

joeyb · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 21

Hi All,

This is my first post in Dave�s after lurking now for the last few months. I have been in DF since the beginning of April and have been actively trying to seek my own privates by following the (obviously hard-earned)advice I�ve gleaned from this forum. You know... handing out business cards, postering in the nearby neighborhoods that are chock -a-block full of offices and schools, leaving flyers in establishments that are frequented by potential candidates, online postings on freebie websites, etc. I have yet to teach my first class. Sigh... I think that my creds are good (BA, 140 hour TESL from long established, reputable school in Toronto, over 6 years of on/off teaching experience in various modalities with last 2 years supply teaching for the LINC program for those of you in the know, and MORE!). Anyhoo, I am at the point where I am considering looking to an agency. Since I can�t message direct, this is a plea to TeresaLopez to contact me if she is still willing to disclose her source. As well, if anyone else has any further advice, I would greatly appreciate it.

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

What city are in you in, JoeyB?

Isla Guapa · Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 3:55 pm Post subject:

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

whoops

JoeyB, have you tried advertising online or in a paper? Finding contacts for classes in DF is usually pretty easy from my experience. What are you charging?

joeyb · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 21

Hi Guy ans Isla,

Thanks for responding. I am living near metro Sevilla. My advertising has been limited to free online classifieds (Craigslist, Vivastreet, etc...). No print ads yet, though I am willing to look into that. The question would be which one? El Universal was mentioned in a past post. Is it really a contender?

Regarding my rates, I am asking 200 pesos/hour for privates and group rate is structured according to number of students-- from 175/hour/student for group of two down to 100/hour/student for a group of six (max).