Mexico

Mexico’s eye-catching flag is an ode to the country’s rich cultural history and hard-fought battle for independence. The distinctive green, white, and red stripes pay homage to three central facets of the country’s national identity: green for Mexico’s independence from Spain, white for its allegiance to the Roman Catholic faith, and red to signify the union of European and indigenous cultures. Nestled in the flag’s center is a tribute to the Aztec empire, a central component of Mexican history and just one of many great empires and cultures that shaped and continue to shape the Mexico we know today. Climate & Geography The climate and geography of Mexico is equally as varied as its vast history. In cities like Puerto Vallarta and Merida along the coast, you’ll encounter a tropical climate that’s hot and humid, while in central regions of the country like Mexico City and Puebla, days are mild and warm and nights are cool. Bursting throughout Mexico are countless cultural and geographic landmarks that you’ll be itching to explore, from the over 6,000 cenotes scattered throughout the Yucatan peninsula, to breathtaking architectural sights like Uxmal and Palenque, and even to the colorful gondola-like boats with mariachi and cold cerveza (beer) in Xochimilco. Culture & Traditions Mexico has no shortage of exciting festivals and colorful holiday celebrations. On the country’s Dia de Independencia, millions across the nation take to the streets to celebrate independence from Spa…

Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Mexico. Education A bachelor’s degree is not required to teach in Mexico, but it is preferred by employers. Those who do not have a bachelor’s degree will still have options to teach in Mexico. Citizenship You can be a citizen of any country to teach English in Mexico. English Fluency Mexico, like many countries in Latin America, is a good teaching market for teachers whose first language is not English. That being said, you’ll still need to have a high fluency in English, and you might need to be more flexible about your school and location preferences to compete with native English-speaking candidates. Nevertheless, non-native speakers of English qualify for teaching positions in Mexico. Background Check A clean background check is not necessary to teach in Mexico. TEFL Certificate A TEFL certificate is advantageous for all teaching positions and may be required by certain schools in Mexico. Age It’s possible to work in Mexico at any age, as there are no age restrictions specific to the work visa. However, health insurance premiums (paid by employers) increase with the insur…

As the third largest country in Latin America, Mexico boasts an English teaching market that is healthy and thriving. Many Mexican students look into English language learning opportunities to foster their professional development and support business growth with the neighboring United States. In Mexico, you can find English teaching positions in private language schools, universities, as a tutor, or via government-run programs like Fulbright and the Peace Corps . With the exception of universities, all other job types in Mexico cater to a wide array of students, from young learners to business professionals and everyone in between. It should be noted that teachers applying with Fulbright or the Peace Corps, however, will be placed wherever the demand is highest. Private Language Schools The majority of English teachers working in Mexico teach at private language schools. Private language schools in Mexico offer the opportunity for teachers to instruct a wide range of ages from children to university students to business professionals. Since the demand is so high in Mexico, positions at private language schools can typically be found year-round; however, the main hiring times are in May, June, and July right before the school year begins in August. November and December tend to be very slow for employment opportunities. Do not try to seek employment at a private language school in Mexico during Christmas or Easter holidays! While positions at private language schools can be …

Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the English teaching market in Mexico, it’s time to start the application process. There are several steps you’ll need to take to find a job teaching English in Mexico, and we have them all outlined here below. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa will overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Teaching in Mexico Timeline, as well as the Applying for Your Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on track with your documents while applying for teaching positions. *ITA does not review applications for government-run programs such as Fulbright or Peace Corps. Please refer to the program’s website for application details and deadlines. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in the resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your drafts to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Some potential questions to consider: Do you want to live in a hot, tropical climate with easy a…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! To help you decide which offer is the best one for you, follow the recommendations below: Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of in your offer are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Mexico is 9,300 – 15,000 Mexican Pesos (MXN) per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. Rural locations with lower costs of living than larger cities might offer lower salaries, or if a school has longer-than-average working hours, you might receive a higher salary. Either way, just make sure you’re okay with it. Working Hours Teaching English in Mexico can be a part-time or full-time gig. Most teachers work between 20 and 40 hours per week. However, you’ll need to consider more than just your total number of working hours per week when deciding whether to accept an offer. Will you have to work in the morning for a few hours and then come back for more in the evening? Does your school require that you arrive an hour before your first class starts but not include that in your total paid hours? Of the hours you’re at the school each week, how many are teaching — or contact — hours? Generally, teachers in Mexico are teaching for around 15 to 30 hours each week, and teachers are…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this visa process like a pro. The main visa option for teachers hoping to work in Mexico is a Temporary Residence Visa, which the teacher will later convert to a Temporary Residence Card upon arrival in Mexico. This Temporary Residence Card allows the teacher to work legally in the country. Visa Types Temporary Resident Visa What is it? The Temporary Resident Visa is your first step to working legally in Mexico. With your Temporary Resident Visa, you will be able to apply for a Temporary Resident Card, which will allow you to work in Mexico legally as an English teacher. We will mainly be focusing on this visa option throughout this section. How do you get one? This visa can be applied for in person in Mexico or at your nearest Mexican consulate in your home country. If you will be applying for your visa in Mexico, you will want to make sure that you bring all of the documents necessary for the visa application before you leave your home country. In this case, you will be entering Mexico on a tourist visa and then transferring your tourist visa to a Temporary Resident Visa once you secure a job offer. Depending on your nationality, be sure to research if you need to apply for a tourist visa in advance of arriving in Mexico. U.S. citizens and most European citizens do not need to apply for a tourist visa in advance. How l…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. Teachers who are formally employed in Mexico will receive health insurance through the national health insurance program, IMSS. Though the coverage doesn’t include dental or eye care, you’ll be able to get local check-ups, obtain prescriptions, and receive referrals to IMSS specialists. Patrick S. taught at a school in Puebla and notes that the insurance “covers very well. I had two trips to the hospital and didn’t have to pay anything.” Mark P., who taught in Guadalajara, is of a similar opinion. “My job provides social security, so I can get healthcare if I need it,” he says. “If not, there …

You have finally made it to the end of the Mexico section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Mexico. This timeline is not only for planners and check-list lovers (although you will love this too). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Mexico to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance 4 months before departure: Begin your research ___ List out your preferences and priorities ___ Chat with ITA alumni , watch alumni videos , and read about alumni experiences ___ Read through ITA’s resources, and watch a Student Affairs webinar ___ Read about Mexico and Mexican culture, etc. ___ Ensure your passport is valid for the entire time you plan to be in Mexico, plus at least six months after your planned departure ___ Start saving up so you have enough money in your bank for start-up costs. It’s recommended to have between 25,000 – 34,650 MXN saved by the time you arrive. 3 months before departure: Begin application process and prepare visa documents ___ Finalize your international resume and cover letter ___ Contact schools using our Mexico School Finder, job boards, Facebook groups, etc. ___ Make a photocopy of your passport ___ Order one frontal picture of yourself (passport size, minimum: 3.2 cm x 2.6 and maximum: 3.9 cm x 3.1 cm) in color with a white background 2-3 months b…

What is also great about teaching adult students here in Guadalajara is that it has forced me to learn the public transit system and given me the opportunity to explore this very cool city. I am going to be very honest; at first, I was terrified at the thought of taking the bus anywhere in this city. I had heard stories from other people about the intense bus system. Now, it feels like I have been taking the busses here my whole life. There is a definite confidence that comes with mastering the public transit system in a foreign country, especially when you have a weak grasp of the national language. When friends of mine come to visit from Chicago, I feel an immeasurable sense of pride knowing that I am able to navigate a city that was once so alien to me. It is a heady feeling. Taylor S. Guadalajara, Mexico Mexico is a large and varied country, so it's hard to make generalizations about every place. But, in general, I would consider it a pretty easy place to foreigners to live. Knowing Spanish is very helpful, but depending on where you live and your situation, it's not a requirement. Mexico is steeped in an array of differing cultures as you travel from one part of the country to another. The people are general very friendly and welcoming, and they love to talk about you and your country. Oaxaca specifically is very foreigner-friendly. There are MANY expats living there, and there are many resources specially designed for them. Spanish courses are also very easy to find. Oa…