Job Discussion Forums

[Professor]

So what does it take to become a coordinator at a coligio or a language institute like HH for example? Guess I'm showing my ignorance here, but I assume they get a nice salary compared to a teacher of EFL.
Anyone here who used to be an EFL teacher but is now a coordinator? What exactly does a coordinator who is over an English dept do??? Please someone, enlighten me.
Again...just wondering.

[TeresaLopez]

I actually do both. I do make a higher salary for coordinating than for teaching, and in addition I have more flexible hours and can do a good amount of the work from home. My responsibilities include recruiting, interviewing and hiring teachers, observing classes, finding substitutes, keep track of teacher�attendance, getting materials together for teachers, offering suggestions for improvement, if needed, solving any problems within the company, testing new students for placement, collecting paperwork, such as time sheets and month reports and sending a monthly report to each company. The amount of work can vary from month to month and from company to company. I would say the requirements would be being a decent teacher, reliable, that sort of thing, and, at least in my case, I know speaking Spanish was a factor (because the owner of the institute doesn�t really) so I could communicate with the various companies.

[Professor]

Sounds like there's a lot of work involved in being a coordinator.

[TeresaLopez]

Yeah, it can be a pain at times, with teachers not turning in time sheets on time, or telling me at the last minute they are going to miss a class, etc. And I get paid a salary for that, not by the hour, so there are months it is a good deal, and then there are the other months. But, it is at least something that is constant, so it�s a good base incase a class ends unexpectedly.

[MotherF]

To be the director at our University Centro de Idiomas it takes commitment, experience, and Spanish ablitity, in addition to desire to do it. It's a rotating position. The director gets a small additional salary and is still expected to teach. It's a lot of work so you have to be in it for the professional experience and dedication to the institution as much if not more than for the money.

[Prof.Gringo]

You have to speak Spanish, maybe not perfect, but very fluently, especially in colegios where you would need to communicate with admin, other non-English speaking teachers, parents and even students that have limited English skills.

Perhaps 2 years (or more) in the type of position for which you wish to coordinate, for example 2 years at a HH as a teacher to apply to another HH as a coordinator or 2 years in a colegio to apply to another colegio.

Some proof of on-going training helps. For example taking the free seminars offered by the major ESL/TEFL publishers results in getting a free cert. with the date and topic covered. Of course many Mexican teachers have a folder FULL of such certs and they can still barely speak the language. But taking such courses is a plus as it shows your commitment to the industry and willingness to keep abreast of developments and perhaps most importantly, network with other English teachers in Mexico.

You also need all your paperwork in order (FM-3/2, CURP, RFC, IMSS, etc).

Now with all of the above having been said, knowing or being related to somebody (nepotism)who is someone is still one of the quickest and easiest ways to a better job in Mexico

[Enchilada Potosina]

To answer the OP's question, from what I've seen over the years here, to become a coordinator it's not what you know, it's who you know... the rule of thumb for any coordination position in Mexico... or am I growing old an cynical?

[Guy Courchesne]

Nepotism...the game the whole family can play!

A lot of the smaller language schools are family run or one-man operations as it is - much like the bulk of businesses in Mexico, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that things are kept in the family. Canada used to be like that before big-box stores took over most industries.

I think by default it's quite difficult for a foreigner working in Mexico to break into that family idea, and not even necessarily easier if one marries into a Mexican family. You'll always be an outsider.

[Phil_K]

[Prof.Gringo]

[PlayadelSoul]

I am not sure that nepotism plays as big a part in business as some would like to believe. It makes no business sense to put someone in a position that is not going to be able to perfom to a level that is going to guarantee increased income for the business (unis and colegios included).

A coordinator, in my experience, is usually chosen for a variert of reasons.
1) They are among the best teachers on staff.
2) They are respected by their peers.
3) They are hardworking and have some business sense.
4) They want to do it. (Many teachers don't)
5) They have to be able to lead by example and put friendships aside (at work).

I have been a coordinator and have hired 3, over my years as a director. It is the hardest job in ESL, IMHO.

[FreddyM]

[PlayadelSoul]

[Dragonlady]

[Professor]

Thanks for the advice dragonlady. I think I'll stick with the teaching side of EFL. Sounds like it's less stressful and more fun.