Teaching in Mexico

I’ve been working in Mexico for 6 years now, and much of my job as both a TEFL course instructor and employment advisor revolves around the issue of the work permit. I work on a regional basis, for the entirety of Latin America, but this post will focus on Mexico.

The most important think to remember about this issue in Mexico was best summed up by Melee – a Dave’s Cafe poster and EFL instructor in Oaxaca:

In Mexico, what was true yesterday may not be true today. What is true today, will not necessarily be true tomorrow. What is true for me, is not true for you. There are multiple truths that can coexist.

Let’s talk about the varieties of truth here…

[read on]

These days, there are many choices on TEFL courses. You can take them abroad or in your home country. You can now also choose to take them online or to take them in a class with other students.

Which is better?

Online TEFL courses tend to be much cheaper. This is simply because the course is very easily delivered via the internet, without the overhead costs of a bricks-and-mortar school. But, it is difficult or impossible to include observed teaching practice into this form of training.

In Class TEFL courses, abroad or at home, are more expensive than online courses. For these courses, you have access to other students and a variety of teachers and instructors. Most courses will include a block of observed teaching practice hours.

So how to decide?

[read on]

A debate has developed over on one of my favorite EFL employment discussion forums, regarding how far one should go when bringing the idea of cultural points of view into the EFL classroom in foreign countries. The debate is ... [Continue reading this entry]

A very good question for which I have an answer. All three are acronyms for the types of intensive courses people can take in order to get a certificate or diploma to teach ... [Continue reading this entry]

I wrote this article in 2004 and it was graciously hosted by EslEmployment.com So, here it is again for a new audience, with some notes provided by TEFLogue.com on Tips for Getting Through ... [Continue reading this entry]

Queretaro, Mexico is rapidly turning into one the hottest places to seek teaching work. A youthful, university town of 800,000, Queretaro boasts of some fantasic historical sites (the city is 460 years old) and one of the best climates ... [Continue reading this entry]

There are lots and lots and lots of English teaching jobs in Mexico, for the first-time teacher, to the seasoned vet, to the university professor, and yes, even for the backpacking types ... [Continue reading this entry]

I must say that this has been a very interesting and fulfilling job. I didn't expect to be where I am now when I first arrived in Mexico almost 6 years ago. But, opportunities and offers kept coming, ... [Continue reading this entry]

Good question. Clearly, one needs to know what one can earn before heading out on the Great Adventure. Since there is no one answer, here is a bit of a guide to help you know what ... [Continue reading this entry]

While I've very little experience teaching anyone but, Mexicans have been a joy to work with in English classes. I don't know if that's so much for being Mexican or for being Spanish-speakers, but either way, everything from class ... [Continue reading this entry]