Teaching English in Jalisco, Mexico
Report submitted on 24 May, 2023 by Alex.
Teaching English in Jalisco, Mexico:
How can teachers find teaching jobs in Jalisco, Mexico?
Unfortunately Mexico places a big emphasis on College/University Degrees in order to teach English at a secondary or college level. Your proficiency in English matters less than a university degree in really any field (for example agriculture).
The main English teaching jobs available are:
Full time English language school positions, part time English language school positions, teaching at kindergartens / pre-schools, private teaching (not through a school, agency, etc.).
If you have a university degree (in any field), you will be able to find a comfortable high school – secondary school teaching position with a relatively low level of English.
If you are proficient in English, but have not went to college or university, Private Teaching is always sought after for kids and teens alike.
What are the minimum teaching requirements?
A university or college degree in any field.
Most teachers that teach at high-school or even college level English are around A1-A3 level English ala Cambridge. Furthermore, they speak little to no English in class, spend little to no time on pronunciation exercises and focus heavily on grammar and writing.
What teaching requirements would you recommend?
A university or college degree in any field. Strive for a B1 test result at Cambridge and you will be more knowledgeable than most other teachers here.
What are the levels of payment?
Teaching at high school – university level you might expect around 7,000 pesos per month.
Teaching private lessons you might expect to make a little bit more or less depending on where you are teaching, and the average income of the residents nearby.
How many teaching days a week is normal?
5 days per week.
How many face-to-face teaching hours a week is normal?
14-35 hours per week.
What is the normal arrangement for holidays?
Standard holidays off.
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Jalisco, Mexico to teach English?
Do not make this decision if financial benefit is your main goal. Are you trying to improve your Spanish? Do you have family or friends here you wish to spend time with? Or are you thinking of immigrating or moving to Mexico?
What are the positive aspects of teaching English in Jalisco, Mexico?
There are lots of people here who and interested in learning English. Aside, I imagine the positive teaching aspects here are the same as anywhere else in the world. If you love to teach, you will find the same reward here as anywhere else.
What are the negative aspects for teaching English in Jalisco, Mexico?
The pay is low.
The people are heavily religious and dealing with town gossip and the like are part of the job. (Small town vibes – unless you in a big city).
Religion is heavily integrated into schools and if you don’t share those mentalities you may feel uncomfortable with many aspects of that environment.
As mentioned earlier, you will either love or hate the culture. Make sure you understand it before making a decision. Maybe of the things I see as negatives may be positives for another.
What are some of the teaching challenges for English teachers teaching the local people in Jalisco, Mexico?
If you live in a rural area, it may be difficult to find work at a institution or school. However city life can be hectic, overpopulated more expensive, and more dangerous.
Living in Jalisco, Mexico:
Are there any visa or other legal requirements to live in Mexico?
A work permit would be required if you are a foreign national looking to work in Mexico.
What is the cost of living like in Mexico?
Everybody has different perspectives on what might be considered essential for living. If your in the a big city, prices may be inflated.
Assuming you live alone, I would estimate the following per month:
Food: 3000p
Rent: 1500p
Necessities: 600p (electricity/water included here)
Extra: 1000-3000p (if you like to eat out and not cook)
Transport: 1000p (Gas is still expensive here, this can vary a lot)
What are the usual accommodation arrangements and how can you find accommodation?
Lots of apartment buildings in most towns and cities. Walk inside, find the owner and ask if there are rooms available.
Other than teaching, what positive aspects are there for living in Jalisco, Mexico?
You either love the culture of Mexico or you hate it. Do you like small town gossip? Do you have strong religious values that align with those of Mexico? Do you love hot weather? If so, Mexico is a great choice for you.
Other than teaching, what negative aspects are there for living in Jalisco, Mexico?
Mexico is dangerous. The law is unhelpful. Healthcare is expensive. Hospitals won’t treat you unless your on the verge of death. Refer to the “positives of the country” – If you answered no to any of those points, Mexico may not be for you.
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Jalisco, Mexico?
Spend some time here first. Find out whether or not Mexico is the type of country you want to live in for an extended period of time. Do not be fooled by the tourist commercials that portray Mexico as a beautiful California esq. paradise..
What things do you miss most (other than family and friends) from your home country?
The culture. The people. The food. The transportation systems. The weather. The internet. The mentality (No gossip, no judgement, no problems).
What do you think you will miss most when (or if) you leave Jalisco, Mexico?
The Tacos, the churros, and the weather in the winter months.
What things would you recommend to new teachers in your area to bring with them from their home country?
Have a car. The transportation here is really bad. The buses are severely overcrowded and the taxis take advantage of foreigners.
Other comments
Most teachers here and not foreigners, Rather residents who know very basic English looking for good (for Mexico) pay.
You may very well be the only foreigner where you live/teach depending on where you are. You will need fluent Spanish because even at college/university levels the English that students know is utterly insufficient to understand any basic English.
About Me and My Work:
My Name: Alex
Nationality: Canadian
Students I’ve taught in Mexico: Pre-school / kindergarten (4-6 years), elementary (6-12 years), junior high school (12-15 years), adults.
Where I teach: I am a Private teacher. I choose my own students with my Wife (Native Spanish Speaker. I’ve been teaching here for 1 year.
How I found my current teaching job(s): I advertised that I am teaching. People here are very old-school in that word of mouth is very powerful advertising. Make friends and work hard, and people will come to you!
My school facilities: Inadequate. As a private teacher, teaching kids and teens and even adults, as well as speaking with current high school – college level English teachers; I can confidently say that the English taught here in school is completely inadequate.
Nothing is provided by any schoolboards, if you want to teach properly with your own worksheets, everything comes out of your own pocket. All of the facilities are lacking.
Teacher support at my school: none.
Do you teach English in Mexico?
Tell us about your experiences – click here to submit your report about teaching English in Italy.
