Job Discussion Forums

SaratheSlytherin · Joined: 21 Jul 2009 Posts: 137 Location: North Carolina

How auspicious is it?

I'm new to TEFL, and I can accept an honest answer, but please no rude or mean answers!

I'm freaking out. :'( I have my heart set on Latin America, particularly Mexico, but I realize that the school year is starting soon and that I need to make a decision about whether to go down there in person, now.

I've searched the forum, and I couldn't find a similar question... if I missed it, I'm sorry... but I did look.

I've recently gotten my TESOL certificate, and I have my heart set on teaching in Latin America, especially Mexico. I've been doing research and working and saving my money. I'm concerned because the school year starts in Mexico in August and I'm worried that the door is closed to me, at least for the rest of the school year.

My TEFL training was REALLY good, and the school was really professionally run, but I wonder if doing my training in Mexico would have been more auspicious since that's where I want to work.

I'm so overwhelmed by everything there is to do to prepare!! I don't want to fail at this.

I am especially interested in Mexico but I'm open to any destination in Latin America. I'm just not sure if it's possible, let alone auspicious, to find work during the year?

I realize that many schools expect you to be in the country before they'll grant an interview; going down there in person is an investment and before I spend my hard-earned savings I want to be sure that there's a possibility of finding work.

I'm dying to see the world, and get back to Mexico; don't get me wrong; it's just that saving all that money was hard work and, if I spend it on a job search, I want to be successful.

Thanks if you can help me! I would appreciate some constructive advice. I'm honestly freaking out because I'm so worried about my future :'( although I realize that freaking out isn't an effective solution.

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

If there's any chance you can be in Mexico within under a month of the school year starting, there's a good chance there will still be some positions open.

However, it's important to note that if you are brand new to teaching and have nothing by way of classroom experience or a degree related to teaching, then you might have a harder time getting into a job where the school year matters. In that case, language institutes are a better fit and hiring there is done pretty much year round.

SaratheSlytherin · Joined: 21 Jul 2009 Posts: 137 Location: North Carolina

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

If you think you are going to be in Mexico long term, and have some savings you might want to consider doing a "Teacher's Diploma" course. They are not expensive, and will enable you to teach in a school school. Substitute teaching will be more valued in a school school than a language institute, and even if the subject is different, there are still lots of skills that translate - being in front of a classroom, planning, etc. Also, it is fairly easy to pick up decent paying private classes at any time. Depending on how frugally you are willing to live you could probably get by on those for a while and once you are in Mexico it is much, much easier to get a job. But again, you would really need some savings for that to be feasible.

bexarwithme · Joined: 29 May 2010 Posts: 13

Teresa, Could you provide a link to or more info about a "Teacher's Diploma"? Thanks.

SaratheSlytherin · Joined: 21 Jul 2009 Posts: 137 Location: North Carolina

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

No, you don't have to have experience to do a Teacher's Diploma course. There are lots of them in Mexico City, but only a few that I would recommend. I've actually been researching them over the last few months. Anyway, I have a degree in Bi-Lingual Education and some graduate hours, but not a Master's. I also have a TESOL certificate, not a CELTA. Anyway, I will PM you, and the other person who asked the info about the Teacher's Diploma courses that I have found that are taught in English and look to cover at least as much, or more, than a CELTA, especially in terms of practice teaching. Expect the PM tomorrow, watching a soccer game tonight and have to be up at the crack of dawn. Actually, BEFORE that crack of dawn.