Job Discussion Forums

[ForProgress]

I recently graduated from College and I want to spend the next year or two away from the U.S. I love traveling, and after giving it a lot of thought I've decided to do ESL in Mexico. After reading these forums (a few times) I've settled on an ESL school in Guadalajara. BUT, I still have a few questions, because I don't want to be as prepared as possible.

1) Getting a VISA and Work Permit: This is my main concern. If I find a school, and don't speak Spanish fluently, will attaining these documents be difficult?

2) What are some of the cheapest, yet modern (no mice/roaches/rat), places to live? And Where?

3) I'll move there in June, so by July I'll have an TEFL Certificate. Is that a good time to look for a job?

4) How much savings do you recommend? (Keep in mind I'll have TEFL in July. And possibly won't be working until August if that's when the jobs start) Obviously more is better, but what's the minimum?

5) I'm going on 23 years old, and I look more 19ish... will this be a problem in getting employment, or having students respect me?

6) I'm REALLY trying to better my Espanol. I know teaching can be full time, but it won't stop me from learning Espanol right? I don't want to move there and everyone speak to me in English.

These are some basic questions I have. I really look forward to hearing all of your advice! And I'll more then likely have more questions, so bear with me

[doublethinker]

1) Not that difficult, just time-consuming. Make sure to bring an apostilled copy of your degree and birth certificate, and you should be good to go. Most good schools will offer assistance.

2) No idea, I live in DF.

3) Yep, that's a good time to look for a job, especially if you want to teach in a private school.

4) Well, if you are going in June, and won't get paid for the first time until the end of August, I would say 2500 us$ would be a good bet.

5) If you teach adults, in my experience they will automatically respect you. If you teach kids / teenagers in a private school, doesn't matter what you look like - they WILL NOT respect you until you MAKE them respect you.

6) You will learn Spanish along the way, but not as much as you would doing a different job.

[Prof.Gringo]

[EFLeducator]

[Guy Courchesne]

Guadalajara is a good choice...wait a bit and you'll get some advice from someone in GDL (all of us so far are in DF).

1. 3 different things can happen...your employing school will help process the paperwork and sponsor you for it, meaning you don't need to do much beyond signing papers and maybe paying for it. Or, Your employing school either doesn't ask you for a work visa at all. Or, you get one independently in which case you have to gather all the papers, pay the fees, and yes use some Spanish to get it done.

I assume you're getting your TEFL cert in GDL...that's good, in that it won't need an apostille. You can take it straight to immigration as proof of qualifications. Do you have a degree? If so, it's a good idea to have that apostilled as well, though odds are the TEFL cert will be enough.

2. I would suggest looking for shared accommodations to start out. Assuming again you're taking your course in GDL, you'll have a month to meet up with other people in the course or other teachers. Single person furnished apartments are pricey in GDL and would consume most of your income.

You could also check segundamano.com.mx and some local paper listings. As for where in GDL, look just west of the centro historico, or up around Zapopan if you plan to work in that area.

3. Language institute jobs are to be had year round, but July is a rather slow time. Things pick up in late August. If you plan to work with kids, the school year starts in mid or late August.

4. 2000 dollars will hold you over fine for 2 or 3 months. You'll have work by August in case July is a bust.

5. How you look is less important than how you carry yourself and how you demonstrate your abilities in the classroom. Don't worry about this one.

6. People will be bouncing their English off you all the time....part of that is typical Mexican gracious hospitality and part of it is because they like to practice. You'll have plenty of chances to improve your Spanish even if you don't take classes. I arrived with zero Spanish and simply took every opportunity I could to read and speak it while out and about. I didn't find it very hard to practice and learn.

[Phil_K]

[Prof.Gringo]

[Phil_K]

All of a sudden, I feel poor! I think if you really want to do this thing, you will manage on what Guy suggested. Those are substantial amounts of money that some people are suggesting, and I think letting money getting in the way of ambition is a negative attitude. Of course, the more money you can muster, the better, but I would say $2000 would be enough for a couple of months. A round trip ticket would be an extra insurance, and probably necessary to avoid any awkward questions in airport immigration.

[EFLeducator]

Trust what Prof. Gringo wrote amigo. The more savings you have the better. 2,000 dollars won't last you long at all but feel free to come to Mexico on 2,000 only and see how long it won't last you. For sure get that 2 way plane ticket as Phil K said. 3,000 to 5,000 is good. You have to remember what I said earlier...some schools won't pay you the full amount they owe you. THAT is a BIG consideration.

Language schools like Berlitz, Harmon Hall, and Interlingua probably pay on time but they pay VERY LITTLE for so long. Bottom line...save as much as you can before June.

[EFLeducator]

[MotherF]

Dave's posters have been recommending 2000 dollars as the amount needed to comfortably arrive in Mexico and find a job for at least a decade. I'm willing to conceed that that is not enough anymore. The cost of the FM3 alone has doubled in that time.

[Isla Guapa]

Prof. Gringo wrote:

[Enchilada Potosina]

[doublethinker]

[ForProgress]

Thanks for all this great advice. Esp about buying a 2 way ticket (I hope I'll be able to use the return ticket for a credit in the future...) and bringing around 4 to 5,000 USD with me.

A couple more things:

1) Housing: Let's say I find a job en Guadalajara, is it relatively easy to find housing with someone else? I'm hoping maybe someone I take the TEFL class with will want to pair up... if not I would be okay with living with a local. I guess I could try craiglist? And are mice/roaches/rats a big problem?

I want a place that's already furnished... Is this asking too much? I think trying to buy a bed, desk, etc, will be a bit tough not knowing anyone there...

2) Transportation: Do they have a weekly transportation pass? If I'll be using public transportation, I would think that'd be more efficient.

3) Prof. Gringo said 15,000 pesos a moth if I want to travel, etc. Is that a lot? Or hard to do? I'm thinking I'll aim (NOT FOR A LANGUAGE INSTITUTE) for a Colegio or Universidad, and then do some freelance tutoring on the side by posting adds locally.

4) Theft: I live in a metro city now, and I'm lucky to have my own apt. and live in a decent enough area where people don't break into my room. But I'm completely new to the Mexican life. Do I have to worry about people taking my guitar/computer when I'm not home?

& Prof Gring: I'm looking to stay for a year AT LEAST, probably 2 years though. So no, I don't want to hustle and bustle, and eat the cheapest food. I'd like to be moderately comfortable there...