COUNTRY GUIDE: MEXICO

Ancient civilizations and Spanish colonization have helped shape Mexico’s rich culture and illustrious history. The remnants and relics of its past, from Mayan ruins to colonial churches, underpin its survival instinct. The country has endured revolutions, dictatorships and recession to become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and a top travel destination to boot. Beach havens like Acapulco and Cancun attract worldwide visitors, while Mexico City has a frenetic energy all its own.

With more than 100 million inhabitants, it ranks as the most populous Spanish speaking country in the world. Testament to its cultural mix, it also has pockets of indigenous-speaking people and native languages like Mayan are still widely spoken in some regions.

TEFL in Mexico (Contracts, Salary, Work)

Demand for teachers

Very High.

With the USA just over the border, the rewards for learning English can be high for Mexican people.

Main TEFL regions

Mexico City, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Acapulco, Monterrey, Chihuahua

Busiest TEFL periods

Year-round

Contract lengths

Usually 12 months

Types of teaching

• In-company: General English, Business English

• Private language schools: General English, Business English, TOEFL

• University language depts.: General English, TOEFL, EAP

• English-medium schools: General English

• Public sector primary & secondary schools: General English, English for Younger Learners

• Private lessons: General English, ESP

Accommodation

Accommodation is often supplied by your employer, although this can vary.

If you want to find your own home, especially if you plan to stay for a long time, you can share from about €70 per month in Mexico City, or have your own one bedroom apartment from around €140 per month.

Flight reimbursement

It’s common for employers to reimburse flights on completion of a 12-month contract

Currency

Mexican Pesos (MXN)

Symbol: $

Salary

€420 - €2,100 per month

Pay is commensurate with your qualifications and experience, and can be boosted even further by providing private tuition.

Taxes

Tax rates are relatively high in Mexico. At the bottom end of the salary range, expect to pay around 12% tax, as a highly-paid teacher, more like 25%

Cost of living

Expect to pay around €350 per month including accommodation for a basic standard of living with the occasional night out.

Potential to save money

As long as you aren’t on the lowest salary you should be able to save some money each month. As your salary creeps up, you can have a comfortable lifestyle and save up to €1,400 per month.

How much TEFL training is recommended?

You don’t even need a university degree to get a job in some of the less-reputable schools. But if you want to earn more, you’ll need a TEFL qualification: taking our 20-hour weekend course at the very least will get you on your way to earning a decent salary, but longer courses will improve your wages further.

Common teaching conditions

Expect around 25-30 classroom hours per week. You can teach far less than this, but it will seriously dent your wages.

Finding Work

How do I find work?

Contact details for the language centers attached to state universities are readily available on the internet, and there are plenty of other language schools that advertise both on the web and in print.

Can I find work while in-country?

It’s relatively easy to find a job when you arrive by checking the Yellow Pages or asking at your guesthouse, but if you’ve set your heart on teaching in Mexico, then it’s best to arrange a job beforehand.

What is the usual hiring process?

If you’re applying from home, send off your CV with a photo, and you’ll usually be interviewed over the phone. If you apply for jobs in-country, you’ll be interviewed face-to-face.

Work Visas

Is a work visa required to find paid work in Mexico?

Many teachers work illegally on a tourist visa and renew it by simply leaving and re-entering the country every 90 days. But if you want to work for a decent school, you’ll need to get a work visa from the Mexican embassy in your home country.

Work Visa requirements:

• Passport valid for at least six months

• Passport photos

• Proof of job offer from school in Mexico

• Fees (about €140)

Why Choose Mexico?

• High demand for teachers

• Good salaries

• The chance to save money

• Beautiful country with varied landscape

Be Aware…

Expect plenty of red tape when applying for a visa, which will be more difficult if you’re not a US or Canadian citizen. This bureaucracy reigns supreme everywhere; affecting everything from getting internet installed to getting photocopies at your school.

Despite its proximity to the USA, prepare yourself for many cultural differences, such as the relaxed attitude to time-keeping.

Before you go

Read this…

The Eagle and the Serpent by Martin Luis Guzman – classic, entertaining history of the Mexican Revolution

Watch this…

Amores Perros – Oscar-nominated road movie about two teenage boys and their trip through Mexico with a sultry older woman.

A Few Fun Facts

• Mexico has more Spanish speakers than any country in the world: three times as many as in Spain itself!

• Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world, with over 17 million inhabitants

• Cuexcomate, in Puebla, is the smallest volcano in the world, standing at only 13 meters tall.

• Mexican children take the surnames of both parents, to preserve the heritage of the mother and the father.