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Teaching English in Mexico City: The Inside Scoop

by Michelle Joyce
Resources updated 3/5/2019 by Transitions Abroad

University in Mexico City
The University of Mexico City is one option for teaching.

Mexico City is an exciting place to live and to get started teaching English. It is one of the easiest places to find teaching opportunities in Mexico. Because there are so many people interested in learning the language — from children to university students and businesspeople — you can make teaching English a full- or part-time job.

Teachers can make a decent living teaching. The amount you earn depends on your scheduling and interests. You can either work for a school and have a steady income, or you can other offer private classes and organize your schedule just as you want.

Get a Job Teaching Children Before You Move

Upon arrival in Mexico City, I called a school directly and was offered an interview at a small, private school where I have been teaching English for three years. Over the years I have learned that there are several more—and better—ways to find work teaching English.

If you are interested in teaching English at a school, the best way to secure a high-paying job is to contact the institution before you move to Mexico. The highest paying schools are The American School and Greengates School: The British Inernational School in Mexico . The American School tends to hire teachers from the U.S., while Greengates tends to hire people from England. Both schools may give you a rent allowance and even pay for a trip or two back home if you get a job before you move to Mexico. After spending some time in Mexico, even at these high-paying schools, you may no longer be eligible for the same pay package. Still, even if wages are lowered over time, the schools pay well.

Both schools hire only highly qualified staff and may be difficult places to begin teaching if you lack experience or if you do not have some form of certification. The American School prefers teachers who already hold master's degrees in teaching English, but they offer an on-site master's program for teachers who would like to complete their degree while working.

The New Fashion in Education, An Important Consideration

The International Baccalaureate (www.ibo.org) is an educational program designed for international schools, from pre-school to high school. The program is used all over the world, but is catching on very quickly in Mexico. For example, both the American School and Greengates are now certified IB schools. If you are interested in working at these schools knowing a little something about the IB can be an advantage.

To learn more, check the IB website where you may order a book or the IB magazine.

Find Work Teaching Children After Arriving

There are many more schools where you can look for work. They are generally smaller in size and pay a bit less, though they have the advantage of being less demanding concerning teaching qualifications and sometimes offer teachers a shorter workday.

I found my job by calling a small school directly — a strategy that I would recommend.

Another great way to find out about smaller schools is through social groups. Many work connections are made in the Las Lomas neighborhood Church of Christ. Many teachers have found work through Alpha Delta Kappa — an honorary international sorority for women educators ideal for networking (check the phone directory for your local chapter).

Teach Adults

Teaching children is only one way to earn money via your English skills in Mexico. You could also apply to a language school for adults, which generally pay by the in-class hour. Since there are opportunities to teach classes from early in the morning until late in the evening, and teachers only work the hours they wish, these are flexible jobs.

To find out more about work teaching English to adults, contact the biggest chains in Mexico City:

Offer Private Classes

You might also consider offering private classes. I know a few teachers who have worked at schools with young children to meet teachers and students — and after having established a good number of afternoon private classes, they left the teaching work to dedicate all their time to giving private classes to make more money than they did as salaried teachers. At private schools I have seen teachers charge from US$10- US$20 per hour (of course this is paid in cash and not subject to taxes). Generally private instructors charge a bit more if they go to the children's homes — and less if the class is in the school, just after classes end.

If you are interested in working with adults, advertising anywhere — from universities to posting a flyer at a supermarket — is a good way to get started.

Online English Teaching Job Boards

It not possible to find a plethora of job listings from websites who often combine TEFL Certificate Training options, either online or onsite, in addition to job boards with work in Mexico. TESOL job boards that list positions and information about Mexico include:

MICHELLE JOYCE has a B.A. in the History and Culture of Mexican Society from U.C. Berkeley and is currently working toward my M.A. in Contemporary Art History at Mexico City's Casa Lamm. She has lived in Mexico City for several years and has written about travel in Mexico in several magazines including Estylo and Vuelo, Mexicana Airline's in-flight magazine.

Related Topics
Teaching English in Mexico: Articles and Resources
Living in Mexico: Expatriate Articles and Resources
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Teaching English and Living in Mexico
Find a Job Teaching English Mexico City in One Week
How to Work Legally in Mexico: The Insider's Guide to Obtaining a Visa
 


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