Teaching English in Mexico City: The Inside Scoop

by Michelle Joyce

The University of Mexico City is one option for teaching.

Mexico City is an exciting place to live and start teaching English. It is one of the most accessible places in Mexico for finding teaching opportunities. Because so many people are 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 work for a school and have a steady income or 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. I 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 Mexico. The American School hires teachers from the U.S., while Greengates hires 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, you may no longer be eligible for the same pay package even at these high-paying schools. Nevertheless, 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 some certification. The American School prefers teachers with master's degrees in teaching English. Still, they offer an onsite master's program for teachers who want to complete their degree while working.

Check Out International Baccalaureate Schools in Mexico

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an educational program for international schools, from pre-school to high school. The program is used worldwide but is catching on very quickly in Mexico. For example, the American and Greengates are now certified IB schools. If you are interested in working at these schools, knowing little about the IB can be an advantage. Check out their site.

Find Work Teaching Children After Arriving

There are many more schools where you can look for work. They are generally smaller and pay 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 pays by the in-class hour. Since there are opportunities to teach classes from early morning until late 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:

• Berlitz Mexico
• English Live Mexico
• Interlingua

Offer Private Classes

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 lessons 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 want to work with adults, advertising anywhere — from universities to posting a flyer at a supermarket — is an excellent way to get started.

Online English Teaching Job Boards

You can find job listings from websites that often combine TEFL Certificate Training options, either online or onsite. Job boards with work in Mexico. TESOL job boards that list positions and information about Mexico include:

• TEFL.com
• International TEFL Academy
• Oxfordseminars.com

MICHELLE JOYCE has a B.A. in the History and Culture of Mexican Society from U.C. Berkeley. She is working toward her 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 for several publications.