Job Discussion Forums

daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

Hi,

I will soon complete my MA in English Literature, and have a BA in the same field. I would like to teach and live in Latin America for a while, and Mexico seems like a good choice.

I don't have a Celta (but I intend to get one), and have no real teaching experience to speak of. So what is the deal for me? What kind of work can I expect, and what kind of pay?

I want to live in a nice city or town, get a good job that pays enough for my rent and living expenses. Is this feasible? Also, is Mexico a good place to get Celta cert?

Many thanks.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

From one BritiNACO (you'll find out when you come!) to another - you will have to work in a language school if you have no experience, but it should be pretty easy to find work, as a native speaker. The British accent is a plus.

It would probably be easier to start in Mexico City and move on when you have some experience. Until then though, don't expect to live in luxury - you should be able to cover your expenses with an apartment in an average area, or a share in a good one.

I'd recommend having a couple of thousand pounds with you as a parachute.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

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

doublethinker · Joined: 11 Mar 2010 Posts: 57

I think Greengates and the American School are the only places you really need to have experience/certification to work at.

As for other schools, I know many people (myself included) who got jobs at upper-end colegios with very little experience and no teacher certification (besides a CELTA.)

Kind of says something about those schools...

You just have to be in the right place at the right time.

Enchilada Potosina · Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 344 Location: Mexico

daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

So an MA is like a 'license to teach'? That is excellent news. My MA is one-year taught (which finishes soon), and then once year to write the final thesis. So I won't OFFICIALLY have an MA after my name until September 2012. BA is in the bank though. Would this cause any problem, or would it be easy to explain the situation? (that I have an MA in all but name, but will take 'till Sep 2012 to graduate)

I do plan to get a Celta before starting work. And it is great that being British, having a neutral-ish accent, and scrubbing up quite well, might help me land a decent job.

Mexico City is cool, if that is necessary. But ideally I'd like to be in a smaller city, somewhere easy to get around, and still pretty developed. Am I right in thinking that getting a job near the coast is going to be tough?

Or is it a case of M.City to get the experience, THEN go somewhere better?

Finally, what sort of money would I be earning/saving (if any) when I first arrive? let's say I have a Celta, no experience etc. I just want to earn enough to cover my living expenses, maybe save a little. And I'd love to work 20ish hours a week, because I have plenty of Uni/writing work to do.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

If you can get just 20 hours a week in a language school (or various schools) at $160 ph, that's around $13000 pm, and is a pretty decent salary, and should be in line with your wishes.

daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

What is 160/hour in Good Old Pounds?? According to Xe.com, it might be �8.30 an hour?

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

Something like that, but don't think in pounds, it doesn't look good! You will live much better on less money here, and $160 ph is at the good end of average.

daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

Haha, I hope to one day think only in Mexican money! But I am just a Newbie, who has watched lots of Mexican movies! From 'Sin Nombre' to that crazy, 60s Western that I can't remember the name of.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

When I visited England a couple of years ago, I was converting pounds into pesos, that's pretty normal - but frightening when you realise how much you are spending, for example, every lunchtime!

e.g. (Mexico)

Full basic meal - 2 GBP
Metro ride anywhere in the city - 15p
Litre of petrol - 45p

daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

Sounds pretty good to me! I wont pine for home too much.

reddevil79 · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 8:20 pm Post subject:

Guy, wouldn't one need a PGCE to teach at Greengates though? They sometimes advertise here in the UK and state that requirement...

daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

I have no PGCE, but I'd still like to apply for some 'better' jobs. Is Greengates an Int'l School?