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Teaching English in Mexico
Due to the North America Free Trade Agreement, close proximity to the United States, and a keen knowledge that affinity through effective communications can bring higher understanding; the need for English language and culture has established itself well in Mexico. This is typically a highly interactive society. Prospects for teaching opportunities abound in the cities of Guadalajara, and the capital Mexico City. It is possible to find work in some smaller remote communities however pay scale and resources will be considerably lower. Fully certified individuals can make up to $1000 US per month salary with benefits. Work visas are possible to obtain and bigger companies may help to pay. Accommodations can be arranged locally as most schools will not include it with employment. Cost of living is fairly low especially outside Mexico City. Essentials such as food, transportation and housing usually only cost up to about 40% of earned wages. An important thing for foreigners to remember about Mexicans is that they don’t operate on the stressful time constraints that other countries do so patience is to be exercised.
Close communicative relationships combined with respect are very important in business. Classes will vary according to structure of any given institution or private language school. The teacher may conduct instruction just for business purposes, for children, adults and also for conversation. Interaction is key and sharing the subtleties of your culture is of great interest to the students. Local people are considered very polite so the integration process is very easy and made even easier if the foreigner can learn some Spanish.
Traveling to Mexico
Mexico has approximately 104 million people of which about 60% are mixed Spanish Amerindian and about 30% are pure Amerindian. The currency is the Mexican Peso valued at approximately 10.8 to $1 US dollar. Recently the country has shown strong recovery from harder economic struggles. It is geographically situated in the middle of the Americas with the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico on the east side, the Pacific Ocean on the west, Belize and Guatemala to the south and finally the United States to the north. Mexico features an array of climates; tropical rainforests, volcanoes, snowy mountain tops, and famous white sandy beaches. Temperatures range from a minimum of 20 F to a maximum of 110 F depending on what area of the country; the climate is known as varying from tropical to desert.
Mexico City is one of the largest in the world; and is also the center of the country’s culture; it is a vital link for communication, industry and transportation. Mexico’s close proximity to the United States has been influential in several areas including migration, economic trade and culture. Mexican culture stems from a cohesive mix of native and Spanish colonialism. The Mexican revolution was very important in establishing a stable presidential government. Internal struggles in the early 20th century had for some time upset the economic outlook of the country, but now these harder times are remarkably being worked through.
Religion plays an important role in the country and as is the case with all of Latin America, family is the number one priority. Mexican food is distinguished in style as being mainly composed of wheat or corn tortillas, beans, meat and chilies although there is quite a variety of delicious dishes available. Many modern pastimes are the same as in westernized countries; however soccer is the country’s most treasured sport. People are laid back, genial, humble and are kind toward visitors. City life although very colorful and interesting does not draw in tourists to the country as do the sun and surf of the beaches.
Acapulco is the longest standing glitzy of all resorts in Mexico. Filled with high rises, lagoons, rain forest and a throbbing night life. There are many outdoor activities to explore including cliff diving if one dares. A visit to the art gallery where there is a large handicraft market is recommended. Cancun has recently emerged from oblivion as a ritzy well groomed resort area and is visited by travelers from all over the world. The city hops along at full speed at night with some of the best night clubs featuring all types of music. Mexico City is teeming with crowds, sites, museums, and keeps the visitor fascinated at all times. Jacaranda trees; ones with big violet colored flowers are in full bloom in the months of February and March which is a good time to visit the city before the hotter months. Guadalajara is known as the pearl of all Mexican cities; it has a hot artistic life, and the vibe is known to be the most authentic of all. There are many exhibits and colonial architecture to admire. Shopping is heaven in the city where markets with local handicrafts can be found in any number of locations.
Teach English in Mexico through ITTO’s Job Offer Program!
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