Job Discussion Forums

[Phil_K]

I know that there are career TEFLers, and thoses who get a kick out of what they're doing, whatever the pay, conditions etc. This is amply demonstrated in many threads on this forum. Looking at Mexico - as we're on the Mexico forum - it seems to come down to this:

Universities - Motivated people (sometimes, other times just delaying the inevitable) but more often than not unmotivated to learn English; it's just part of the syllabus

Colegios and High Schools - Spoilt brats that want to buy their qualifications and make the teacher's life a misery

Language Schools - Unstable income, unstable employers, potentially lucrative if one is willing to bust a gut, but rarely so.

Many people teaching here are well qualified in areas other than ESL/EFL and after getting their feet wet in a new country could move on to something more satisfying, lucrative, appreciated, etc. Agreed, some people manage to get through the unsavoury aspects and advance to stable positions worthy of their talents, but few do.

My POV? I've really had enough of this lark and am working on a new project, providing a service that I have knowledge of, have support in, thatallows me to actually "live", and supplies a service that I know is really wanted.

There are many questions that come out of this:

What motivates you to stay in teaching?

What are your long term goals in Mexico outside teaching (or do you intend to continue teaching?)

Do you really, I mean really, enjoy what you do?

And many more.

[Isla Guapa]

I have a couple of questions for you, Phil. When you came to Mexico, had you ever taught anything anywhere before? Did you take up teaching because it was something you really wanted to do, or was it just a default job till something more to your liking came along?

And by the way, as hard as it may be for you to believe, I have a feeling that many people on this forum really, really like teaching, even if their current employment situation is not ideal.

[Phil_K]

[Professor]

I used to enjoy teaching here but after seeing the attitudes over the past two years...no thanks. For the most part you're not appreciated at all and many think that they don't need English.
It can be lucrative but then again that can change from month to month. I went from 20,000 a month to about 2,000. Contracts not renewed due to the economic conditions, private students getting promoted so they feel they no longer need English conversation classes.
It goes on and on. ESL isn't really a stable income source when you think about it. Too many things can change from month to month. You never know what your income will be. EFL is good for people who have some type of income coming in from the states for example or for someone fresh out of college needing some real world experience, but for some one trying to make a living...forget it.
I'm sure a few die hard fans on Mexico will jump in and try to tell me how THEY can save and how much they enjoy their incomes but even those people really don't have a stable income. It can change in an instant.
And it doesn't help that so many here feel like they don't need English. I guess they're happy living on 9,000 pesos a month.
Phil K...if you have any ideas on how one could make some cash here without teaching please share them. Perhaps we could be partners. One more thing...even the mighty dave said he only stayed here in DF for about 4 months. The pay is usually a joke unless working for yourself and then you have no idea when the income will change. You want stability? Get a real job back in the states or find another type of job here in Mexico.

[Tretyakovskii]

[Guy Courchesne]

The economic downturn has certainly caused a mess in this country too, though I don't think we've had the same massive job loss the US has. Some of the top schools here saw lower enrollment las year and expect further drops this year. Even the TEFL and CELTA course providers have seen big drops in numbers of students arriving.

A friend of mine here in DF was laid off from a well paid pharmaceutical sales job last month for business being so bad. He's taking a teaching position this year at a cut in pay since those bills have to be paid and teaching is still more stable than most things out there.

[caballo]

The amount of exploitation in EFL in Mexico(and many other countries for that matter) is nothing short of sickening. Prospective students are promised English fluency by taking courses of dubious quality. Well-meaning foreign instructors are underpaid-and sometimes deceived-by their employers. Tutoring on your own does seem to be the only way to make it, but that too has its pitfalls. Another problem with Mexico is the lack of respect for education and educators; in this respect, Mexico is similar to the U.S.

[Phil_K]

That's a good point about "fluency from dubious courses", to which I could add "dubious teachers". The selection policy of most institutes is practically non-existent. I believe my knowledge of the mechanics of English grammar is second-to-none (or at least second-to-few ), but as a teacher, I wouldn't employ me! In fact, when I've employed teachers in the past, I've never advertised, only headhunted.

[Guy Courchesne]

[Phil_K]

[dixie]

Is it all worth it?

Yes.

But then I actively sought out a life here; I wanted to be here.

And that original desire still exists as I begin year 5 here. My job is better and has helped me get better (I just graduated with my masters thanks to their support); I have never loved teaching more; and personally things are going great as we buy property and expand our family.

So yes, it is worth it.

[Isla Guapa]

I agree with dixie that wanting to be here is crucial to creating a good life for yourself in Mexico as an English teacher. Also important are arriving with the experience and credentials that will help you to find a decent job.

[ElJuero]

I have to say the discussion revolves around a dilemma for me.

I had worked in Nicaragua and loved it - got a runaround by a director of a small English school there but was then hired by a University. Violent politics ruined that possibility.

In Mexico, I was screwed by a malicious director of a private school and the local university was pretty dysfunctional at best.

Today, I'm teaching in an Asian country and get well paid with great benefits - treated very respectfully.

I must come from the people of the damned as where do you imagine I'd rather live? Mexico.

I've come away from working in two different parts of the world with the conclusion that you come to asia to work and you go to Mexico to live.

I should add, I still really enjoy teaching - even with the issues.

Life is strange.

[Mrs L]

See this topic makes me question even more whether I should come back to Mexico, something I've been asking myself ever since my last visit in March. I left 4 years ago to get my masters and a British passport for my husband. Now that's done but we're both wondering whether it's the right time to return to Mexico, or if there'll ever be a right time.

I am a career TEFLer with all the right qualifications and experience. I also love what I do. But now I have a well paid job at a British uni teaching the most motivated students I've ever come across with good colleagues and career development opportunites, and even the best job in Mexico would be a big step back.

But like someone said you move to Mexico for the lifestyle not the job and I definately miss the climate, food and family. However, a move back would be permanent and am I ready to commit to those unmotivated students and all the insecurity the other posters have talked about for the next 40 years? Not right now.

[caballo]

El juero: Absolutely! In Asia, you are well-respected, unlike in the Americas. Is it any wonder that Asian countries often surpass others in educational excellence?
Where are you now?