Teaching English in Mexico

[J.A.C.K]

Hi all,

I'm a 27 yr old female new zealander looking into moving to mexico short term.

I've never been to Mexico before but have lived in London for a year and a half and have done a far bit of travelling/backpacking around Europe, so although Mexico is next level for me (different language/massive cultural differences)...i'm not new to uprooting myself to new cities/new countries and think i'm up for the challenge. I am currently learning spanish, but have only a very basic level from lessons and from what conversational stuff i picked up in spain while travelling there.

I have a few friends who have travelled to Mexico and loved it, but also find that alot of my friends and family who i tell about my plans are less than encouraging and think i'm making a very risky choice being a single, white, blonde female doing this alone, in a country that has a perception of being quite dangerous.

I'm close to signing up with the TEFL institute course starting in Guadalajara in May (i see there is another thread on this course), but still keen to get some more thoughts and opinions from people who actually are living in or have had experience living in Mexico before i make my decision.

The plan is to head over at the end of April in time for the course starting in May, to complete the 4 week course and then during this time apply for jobs at schools (preferably in some of the smaller towns/cities). I would then hope to do a term (6 months) teaching before heading off home or elsewhere...unless of course i fall in love with mexico and stay.

My other concern is that the TEFL institute who i've been speaking to about this course have told me not to worry about a visa. As a new zealander I can enter as a tourist for 90 days, and they are telling me that all the teachers they place there dont worry about a visa because english teachers are in such demand and nobody really cares??? Or that i should just leave the country every 90 days and then come back in.....anybody have any thoughts/warnings on that??

Any advice/thoughts or general info would be appreciated!!

Cheers,

[jvalve]

hi, dont worry , come to mexico, you wont regret, mexico is a safe place, if you plan to stay in guadalajara is good, because you have many close cities around, if you have more questions, you can find me in msn <snip> hope i can help you.

[valenciana]

Hi J.A.C.K. (as the passenger said to the pilot),

I’m a male (WASP), so not in the best position to know about the female’s perspective while in Mexico, but I wouldn’t worry too much about being the ‘white, blonde female’ (in the Guadalajara region, and perhaps others, you may find quite a few Mexican women like yourself -and with blue eyes).

In my view, yes, there are “massive cultural differences’, but also –because of the original European origin of so many of the population- there are certain aspects of culture which are familiar to westerners and can help make us comfortable.

Try contacting the Instituto Anglo-Mexicano (who may have changed their name, but an inet search will turn them up). They are serious, honest, highly professional and care about their students and teachers. They were and probably still are the best in Mexico, and surely still offer teacher training. They used to be (and probably still are) in Guadalajara.

Have you visited Dave’s ESL Café Mexico forum? Loads on there to help you.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by J.A.C.K

Hi all,

I'm a 27 yr old female new zealander looking into moving to mexico short term.

I've never been to Mexico before but have lived in London for a year and a half and have done a far bit of travelling/backpacking around Europe, so although Mexico is next level for me (different language/massive cultural differences)...i'm not new to uprooting myself to new cities/new countries and think i'm up for the challenge. I am currently learning spanish, but have only a very basic level from lessons and from what conversational stuff i picked up in spain while travelling there.

I have a few friends who have travelled to Mexico and loved it, but also find that alot of my friends and family who i tell about my plans are less than encouraging and think i'm making a very risky choice being a single, white, blonde female doing this alone, in a country that has a perception of being quite dangerous.

I'm close to signing up with the TEFL institute course starting in Guadalajara in May (i see there is another thread on this course), but still keen to get some more thoughts and opinions from people who actually are living in or have had experience living in Mexico before i make my decision.

The plan is to head over at the end of April in time for the course starting in May, to complete the 4 week course and then during this time apply for jobs at schools (preferably in some of the smaller towns/cities). I would then hope to do a term (6 months) teaching before heading off home or elsewhere...unless of course i fall in love with mexico and stay.

My other concern is that the TEFL institute who i've been speaking to about this course have told me not to worry about a visa. As a new zealander I can enter as a tourist for 90 days, and they are telling me that all the teachers they place there dont worry about a visa because english teachers are in such demand and nobody really cares??? Or that i should just leave the country every 90 days and then come back in.....anybody have any thoughts/warnings on that??

Any advice/thoughts or general info would be appreciated!!

Cheers,

[RVGRINGO]

Welcome to the forum, J.A.C.K. It looks like you are already getting some assistance.
We've lived at Lake Chapala, an hour south of Guadalajara, for eight years and we never plan to leave. Guadalajara and the surrounding area are delightful in all respects.
The immigration law does require that you have permission to work. I know some violate this, but I would recommend always staying within the law.

[masmgt]

Originally Posted by J.A.C.K

Hi all,

I'm a 27 yr old female new zealander looking into moving to mexico short term.

I've never been to Mexico before but have lived in London for a year and a half and have done a far bit of travelling/backpacking around Europe, so although Mexico is next level for me (different language/massive cultural differences)...i'm not new to uprooting myself to new cities/new countries and think i'm up for the challenge. I am currently learning spanish, but have only a very basic level from lessons and from what conversational stuff i picked up in spain while travelling there.

I have a few friends who have travelled to Mexico and loved it, but also find that alot of my friends and family who i tell about my plans are less than encouraging and think i'm making a very risky choice being a single, white, blonde female doing this alone, in a country that has a perception of being quite dangerous.

I'm close to signing up with the TEFL institute course starting in Guadalajara in May (i see there is another thread on this course), but still keen to get some more thoughts and opinions from people who actually are living in or have had experience living in Mexico before i make my decision.

The plan is to head over at the end of April in time for the course starting in May, to complete the 4 week course and then during this time apply for jobs at schools (preferably in some of the smaller towns/cities). I would then hope to do a term (6 months) teaching before heading off home or elsewhere...unless of course i fall in love with mexico and stay.

My other concern is that the TEFL institute who i've been speaking to about this course have told me not to worry about a visa. As a new zealander I can enter as a tourist for 90 days, and they are telling me that all the teachers they place there dont worry about a visa because english teachers are in such demand and nobody really cares??? Or that i should just leave the country every 90 days and then come back in.....anybody have any thoughts/warnings on that??

Any advice/thoughts or general info would be appreciated!!

Cheers,

The TEFL folks are of questionable character if they are encouraging people to come to work without the proper documents. It sounds like all they want is your money, then it is your problem if you are working illegally.

Being a single, white, blond female, while not a problem elsewhere in Mexico, could be a problem in a Mexican jail!

[RVGRINGO]

The best advice, therefore, would be to come prepared to support yourself 100% from the time you arrive until the time your 180 day FMT expires. Then, you would have to leave Mexico unless you have applied for an FM3 before 150 days have passed since entry AND have the funds to do so. If you plan to stay, regardless of getting a job, you are going to have to show about $1000 USD monthly income from outside Mexico, or similar financial resources for at least a year, in order to qualify for the necessary FM3 visa. There are annual renewal fees and you must re-prove your foreign income/resources each year. You will need the support of a Mexican employer in order to get permission to work and there will be an additional fee for that application, which is not guaranteed. Proceed with caution and don't believe guarantees of job placement. If you are placed with a school that will not support you in obtaining legal permission to work, and you accept, you will be in violation of immigration laws, subject to arrest (you don't want to imagine that!) and deportation after a potentially long stay in prison. Such unfortunate situations can have a deleterious financial impact on friends and family abroad. Use your imagination.

[J.A.C.K]

Hola amigos,

Muchas gracias por su ayuda.

I did feel quite sketchy about the whole "don't worry about a visa thing"...but to an extent in this position you do rely on others advice and they seem like a big well known organisation who place students/teachers in Mexico all the time....so getting your opinions is a big help and i think may have put me off going through them.

I've spent some of today google searching other english language courses offered in Mexico, and also checking out Dave’s ESL Café Mexico forum (thanx Valenciana - from Valencia??) and have come across International Teacher Training Organization (ITTO) who seem a lot more interested in helping you through the process of arrival/settling/visas etc, which is a lot more reassuring for me. If anyone knows anything about this organisation would love to hear anything you have to say....

Thanx again...

[travel artist]

Hi,

I took a class with TEFL Institute a few years ago and taught in Asia. They are a very good school and gave me the real deal abroad. 99% of the jobs in latin America do not give work permits. I've had quite a few friends teach in latin America and they've all told me the same things that TEFL Institute told you. You may get a permit in Mexico, they are slightly more accomidating than central and South Amercican countries.

It's pretty common to just cross the boarder and go to a nearby country for a few days and then get your visa re-stamped. Definately ask the school if they can get you a visa as it won't hurt to ask but don't be surprised if they tell you the same thing.

Btw, don't worry about having blond hair, woman dye their hair everywhere in the big cities. Mexcio is not China or Egypt, you'll be safe, just watch out in the big cites like Mexico. Get a good Lonely Planet book to find your way around, you'll be fine.

Go for it and you'll neve regret it.

Originally Posted by J.A.C.K

Hi all,

I'm a 27 yr old female new zealander looking into moving to mexico short term.

I've never been to Mexico before but have lived in London for a year and a half and have done a far bit of travelling/backpacking around Europe, so although Mexico is next level for me (different language/massive cultural differences)...i'm not new to uprooting myself to new cities/new countries and think i'm up for the challenge. I am currently learning spanish, but have only a very basic level from lessons and from what conversational stuff i picked up in spain while travelling there.

I have a few friends who have travelled to Mexico and loved it, but also find that alot of my friends and family who i tell about my plans are less than encouraging and think i'm making a very risky choice being a single, white, blonde female doing this alone, in a country that has a perception of being quite dangerous.

I'm close to signing up with the TEFL institute course starting in Guadalajara in May (i see there is another thread on this course), but still keen to get some more thoughts and opinions from people who actually are living in or have had experience living in Mexico before i make my decision.

The plan is to head over at the end of April in time for the course starting in May, to complete the 4 week course and then during this time apply for jobs at schools (preferably in some of the smaller towns/cities). I would then hope to do a term (6 months) teaching before heading off home or elsewhere...unless of course i fall in love with mexico and stay.

My other concern is that the TEFL institute who i've been speaking to about this course have told me not to worry about a visa. As a new zealander I can enter as a tourist for 90 days, and they are telling me that all the teachers they place there dont worry about a visa because english teachers are in such demand and nobody really cares??? Or that i should just leave the country every 90 days and then come back in.....anybody have any thoughts/warnings on that??

Any advice/thoughts or general info would be appreciated!!

Cheers,

[gdlmx91221]

Originally Posted by travel artist

Hi,

I took a class with TEFL Institute a few years ago and taught in Asia. They are a very good school and gave me the real deal abroad. 99% of the jobs in latin America do not give work permits. I've had quite a few friends teach in latin America and they've all told me the same things that TEFL Institute told you. You may get a permit in Mexico, they are slightly more accomidating than central and South Amercican countries.

It's pretty common to just cross the boarder and go to a nearby country for a few days and then get your visa re-stamped. Definately ask the school if they can get you a visa as it won't hurt to ask but don't be surprised if they tell you the same thing.

Btw, don't worry about having blond hair, woman dye their hair everywhere in the big cities. Mexcio is not China or Egypt, you'll be safe, just watch out in the big cites like Mexico. Get a good Lonely Planet book to find your way around, you'll be fine.



Go for it and you'll neve regret it.

Hi J.A.C.K.,

I am a 26 year old, blonde female from the U.S. and I am enrolled in ITTO's TEFL course in April in Guadalajara. I am not worried about my personal safety and I think you would be fine in Guadalajara. Please let me know if I can help you at all!

[valenciana]

Sorry, I don't know anything about ITTO.

Valenciana is the site of a silver mine up the road from Guanajuato. I used to live up near there.