Job Discussion Forums

Scobie · Joined: 14 Jul 2010 Posts: 7

Hi everyone.

I'm currently considering a move to Mexico in the next few months. I would arrive with a CELTA but no experience. I have managed to get together more savings than anticipated, so my question is this:

Is it possible to pick up part-time hours as a new teacher? I'm hoping that having savings will allow me to shop around for a relatively decent school, and hopefully one that is offering less than full-time hours, for an easier transition....I would then hope to build up hours when necessary. How possible is this?

Is work with colegios or language schools contracted in any meaningful way, or do you just take the hours you're offered? Are they fixed term or can you leave whenever?

I should mention that I'm mainly interested in D.F. or GDL, but also open to smaller cities.

Thanks.

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

A number of schools will hire you on the basic of being a native speaker and train you in their particular method. Also, it is fairly easy to pick up private or small group classes in businesses, something that can pay as much as 4 times the hourly wage you'd make in a school. The advantage to working in a language institute is that they will usually help you get a work visa, and also offer benefits. Unless you have a degree in education it is not likely that you will get work in a colegio, at least not in one that will pay you a decent wage. Some schools offer a fairly flexible work schedule. Interlengua, I know allows you to just work the afternoon/evening shift. Many schools will start you out with a basic schedule, and if you do well they will add more. Or, you can work in a school and pick up a couple of privates to round things out. You can live on privates, but it does take a little while to work your way up to a decent number of classes. And there is the disadvantage that some students will cancel a lot, and thus you don't always get paid. Another way to get private students or small groups is through an institute that focuses on giving classes at businesses. With those you have some protection - if the student cancels at the last minute you still get paid. Many schools offer a contract, but you can still leave whenever you want. But if you want to build up references you should at least stay for 6 months or so at a particular job. Also, even though you didn't ask, you don't strictly need a CELTA in Mexico, unless your long term plans are to go somewhere else, there are other courses that are more practical and less expensive.

Scobie · Joined: 14 Jul 2010 Posts: 7

Thanks Teresa. I'm a bit stuck on the CELTA issue - in my research I've been caught between Mexico and Spain, where you definitely would need one. What are the main alternative qualifications for Mexico, and why do you think that they're more practical?

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

Are you American or Canadian? If you are, you can pretty much forget about Spain. Really, what most employers want is a course that includes at least 120 hours of classroom time, plus observed teaching. The CELTA only actually includes 6 hours, other courses include more. I have seen the outline for one course here that includes 220 hours of instruction, plus 30 hours of observation and teaching, it includes a lot more than the CELTA, there are other courses that are 2 months long, and include 180 hours. Personally, *I* would prefer more teaching time and more classroom hours, even if the course had less classroom hours, if *I* were hiring someone. But then if you are a EU citizen and think there is a possibility you will teach in Europe or the Middle East, then you should definitely go for the CELTA.

mejms · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 390

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

[quote="mejms"]

mejms · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 390

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

Yeah, I've seen that happen often too, many at pay higher than the 10k you mention. I'd never bank on such lucky finds being available all the time though.

mejms · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 390

Great find for the newbie, sad news for all those students and parents paying top peso for academic excellence.

mejms · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 390

Great find for the newbie, sad news for all those students and parents paying top peso for academic excellence.

mejms · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 390

quote]I'd never bank on such lucky finds being available all the time though.

mejms · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 390

Great find for the newbie, sad news for all those students and parents paying top peso for academic excellence.[/quote]

mejms · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 390

Great find for the newbie, sad news for all those students and parents paying top peso for academic excellence.[/quote]

flossie · Joined: 16 Jul 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Michoacan, Mexico

I've discovered that if you take yourself and your resume to private language schools you shouldn't have too much trouble getting some work, about 3 classes a week. As a native English speaker you are generally in demand especially in September which is when most students start courses. The school will want to interview you, maybe write a proficiency test and sometimes do a test class. If they are really desperate they will just throw you into a class and see how it goes, but you probably don't want to teach at those schools.
I've found the hard part can be getting a guarantee of full-time hours, if that's what you want!

gregd75 · Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 8:04 pm Post subject:

One thing to consider if you are thinking about private schools, colegios and universities is that the SEP is now implementing a program which basically means that if schools want their English programs recognised by the SEP, then their teachers must have degrees in education.

There is a bit of a rush at the moment by teachers to get certified in time- for example the ICELT course is recognised by the SEP as a degree equivalent qualification.

Some other institutions here in GDL have pretty much gotten rid (by not renewing contracts) of many native speakers because their qualifications are not recognised by the SEP. mean, in theory, its good to have your teachers certified, right?

In practice, its creating a bit of confusion. Added to this is the glut of native speakers wanting to come to Mexico as their home economies continue in recession and people are looking for work elsewhere whilst having a cheaper standard of living and it all adds up to a very competetive job market at the moment.

good luck!