KEY INFO FOR GETTING A JOB TEACHING ENGLISH IN MEXICO
Education: Preferably a BA/BS though for teaching English in Mexico it’s not required
TEFL Certification: Necessary TEFL/TESOL certification obtainable by the 4-week in-person course or 170-hour online TEFL class. Classes are conducted locally in Mexico in Ciudad Guzman, Puerto Vallarta, and Guadalajara
Peak hiring months: All year round
Types of Jobs: Private students, online classes and teaching in English schools
Citizenship Requirements: Preference given to citizens of South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Canada, UK, and USA though this is not always a requirement
Typical Hiring Process: Local in-person interview with advance interviews over phone or email being limited
Average teaching hours per week: 20-25 hours in the classroom plus preparation hours
Types of Students: Business professionals and children
Cost of Living per month: $500-$800 USD (9,300-15,000 MXN)
Visas: Work visa
Potential to save: Break-even
Average Monthly Pay: $500-$800 USD (9,300-15,000 MXN)
Start –up cost: $1,300-$1,800 USD (25,000-34,650 MXN). Start-up costs inclusive of $400 in work visa fees
Potential to save or break-even: Break-even
Accommodation Benefits: None
Fight Reimbursements: None
Vacation: Depends on the employer
TEACHING ENGLISH IN MEXICO
Great natural diversity and a broad cultural mix makes Mexico one of the largest job markets accessible to TEFL certified English teachers. Being a teacher of English as a foreign language in the country represents one of the top jobs sought by Americans heading to Mexico. Work is typically available all through the year though things tend to be slow during the major holiday periods such as Easter and Christmas. Several opportunities exist whereby candidates can appear for advance interviews via email or over the phone, but most prefer to be doing in-person interviews though they need to take responsibility of their housing and airfare. Most of the teachers prefer accommodation in apartments while many opt for shared accommodation with other English teachers.
Those who become a part of the local life in Mexico get to truly recognize and appreciate the awe-inspiring natural and cultural attractions the country has to offer. Be it exploring the ancient Mayan ruins in Tulum, soaking up the Acapulco sun or going through the street vendors’ wares in Mexico City, Mexico’s culture and history rank among the most captivating that one can find anywhere along the Western Hemisphere. Those looking to improve on their Spanish language skill will also find the country to be particularly exciting.
Solid hourly wages on offer help the English teachers live a comfortable life. Work weeks are no more than 20-25 hours long which leaves plenty of time for exploring and traveling the place. It is not necessary for English teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree for teaching in Mexico though many employers tend to prefer one. An accredited TEFL certification is very important for teaching English in the country with jobs typically available in the larger cities such as Leon, Puerto Vallarta, Juarez, Puebla, Guadalajara, and Mexico City.
While it is not necessary to hold a bachelor’s degree for securing a job in Mexico, many employers have a strong preference for candidates holding one. Not having a degree could result in an intensely competitive job search process.
