Home / Teach English in Mexico the Complete Guide for TEFL Teachers | Reviewed May 2022

Tefl Jobs In Mexico

Teach English in Mexico Overview

Would you like to teach English in Mexico? Read this guide to learn all the tips, and information about culture, living costs and salary as a TEFL teacher. As more Mexicans seek to study English, the need for TEFL teachers remains high. So, if you are looking to teach English abroad in Mexico, this could be a dream come true. English is the most widely taught foreign language in Mexico, followed by French. Around 24 million individuals in the country are believed to study English in some way; nevertheless, only about 5% of the population has a high level of English proficiency. In addition, Mexico has a flourishing tourism business, and it is increasingly exporting to English-speaking countries like the United States and Canada. Furthermore, the desire to relocate to the United States for better work possibilities is so strong that many Mexicans continue to come illegally. Those who can improve their English abilities and apply for decent jobs will be able to obtain work that will allow them to enter the country legally, which puts English teachers in Mexico in great demand.

Speaking English is an absolute need for many Mexican nationals who want to excel in the business world. Because of their close relations with the United States, many Mexican enterprises do some of their business in English, and it’s not uncommon for individuals looking to push ahead to schedule English lessons during their lunch break or skip their siesta for a language session. Because of the proximity to the United States, there is a slight preference for American English, but English of any accent is in high demand, and if you’re a trained, experienced TEFL teacher, you won’t have any trouble finding work. When it comes to applying for positions, having expertise as an English business teacher in Mexico will help you stand out. There are also opportunities for people who wish to work with children and young learners, as there are numerous international schools around the country.

The rest of this guide details the types of jobs you will find for English teachers in Mexico and goes over the requirements you will need to teach there. It also looks at local life, cost of living and other factors that might influence your decision to explore teaching English in Mexico.

Job types 

Elementary school

Teaching English in Mexico to children in a bilingual elementary school offers a consistent schedule and pay. Elementary school teachers, on the other hand, earn the least. Hours are typically 7 am to 2 pm, and you may be asked to teach specific courses in English rather than English as a whole.

Furthermore, because children require teaching methods that are specifically tailored to their developmental level, you should have some past expertise.

Language centre

Working in a language centre allows you to teach English in Mexico to both adults and children while also providing networking opportunities. However, language centres typically cannot promise a consistent schedule or income, and typical work schedules can range from 7 to 8 am on weekdays, and 8 am to 2 pm on Saturdays.

After you gain more experience and have demonstrated your ability to teach English in Mexico and dedication to the language centre, your workload will most likely increase progressively. In language centres, the hourly wage is halfway between that of company classes and that of elementary schools. In 2006, language centres in Cuernavaca paid between 50 and 120 pesos per hour.

Company classes

Company class teachers who are teaching English abroad in Mexico work with highly motivated professionals who put their new English skills to use in their everyday work. The hourly wage is the highest, and there are several networking opportunities.

However, because these programmes are held either before or after work, the timetable can be restrictive and exhausting. You’ll have to spend time and money commuting from one company to the next.

Private lessons

In Mexico, private English tutors are common. Tuition fees on the open market are difficult to come across, but they are unlikely to be as high as those at private language schools. However, one of the benefits of being a private instructor is that it may be a part-time career, and you can still enjoy teaching English in Mexico.

When and where to look for jobs

To make your search easier, first, decide which city you want to live and teach English in, and then look at current schools in that area. For example, the simplest places to obtain jobs teaching English in Mexico are Mexico City and other large urban regions, which also have the best hours, compensation, and accommodation.

All of Mexico’s English classes are accessible all year. However, different teaching occupations have varied monthly rhythms. August is the best month to apply for language centre employment in preparation for September. Applying for language centre employment in the month coming up to the holiday season is often a terrible idea. Try not to apply in November in preparation for December, as most individuals will be on vacation for the holidays.

Because the school year begins in the last week of August, if you want to teach English in Mexico in an elementary, middle, or high school, you should start looking for a position in July to prepare for the first semester, or in December/January to prepare for the second semester. In addition, summer courses for young learners are also held in July and August, so you can apply for these positions early.

Apply for jobs teaching English in Mexico in person for the best outcomes. Bring your résumé and dress professionally and respectfully. If a school is interested in hiring you and has an open position, they will check your resume and contact you for an interview.

Qualifications

Many schools only require a bachelor’s degree and no teaching experience or education. Of course, having a TEFL or CELTA certification can only enhance your application to teach English in Mexico (mainly because the majority of your ‘competitors’ will be certified as well!).

Many schools favour foreigners with a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, believing that social science graduates are more open-minded and communicative. However, you must also be willing to commit to staying for at least a year as an English teacher in Mexico. Professional schools will most likely spend time and money teaching you and completing documentation, so they will expect a long-term commitment from you.

Classroom and work culture

Mexican culture values hierarchy, and society and business in Mexico are highly stratified and vertically structured. As a result, always be respectful of those who rank higher than you. As you will see, things are done very differently in Mexico than in the United States.

Regardless of your uneasiness, keep in mind that you are now a foreigner in a foreign country, and you must follow their laws and customs.

Rather than shaking hands, Mexican women greet one another by patting each other on the right forearm or shoulder. Men, on the other hand, do not shake hands with someone they do not know well. Wait until you’ve been invited to use a Mexican’s first name.

Your business’s success depends on the correct connections, and it’s practically impossible to change someone’s first opinion of you. Therefore, all written materials should be provided in English and Spanish, and remember to be on time (even if your Mexican counterparts are half an hour late)!

Mexicans have a high standard of dress, and they want you, as a professional, to follow suit. Wrinkly shirts are not permitted in Mexico, so iron all of your items ahead of time!

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LIVING COSTS

While the average TEFL teacher pay in Mexico isn’t exceptionally high, the cost of living is low, so even a modest salary will suffice. Full-time employers are unlikely to provide housing, but they can assist you in finding a suitable rental. Volunteer employment frequently includes free lodging and, on occasion, a small monthly salary. Mexico has a lower cost of living than 67 per cent of Latin American countries and 79 per cent of the world. As a result, even on a modest salary, you may live an adventurous life in Mexico, travelling and seeing many of the country’s most renowned tourist sites.

Numbeo.com is the world’s largest cost of living comparison website and provides the figures shown above.

  • Accommodation: £371–£694/€433–€870
  • Utilities: £38/€46
  • Health insurance: Cost of a typical visit to a GP: £19/€24
  • Monthly transport pass: £19/€24
  • Basic dinner out for two: £11/€14
  • Cappuccino in ex-pat area: £2.64/€3,10
  • A beer in a pub: £1.41/€1.55
  • 1 litre of milk: £0.77/€1.20

Tefl Jobs In Mexico: KEY POINTS

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AVERAGE SALARY

€350–€800

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EDUCATION NEEDED

Not required

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TEFL CERTIFICATE NEEDED

120-hour TEFL qualification

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MAIN JOB TYPE

Public & Private Schools, Universities, Corporate Teaching, Private Lessons, Volunteering

KEY FACTS

  • Popular locations for TEFL jobs: Mexico City, Monterrey, Nezahualcóyotl, Tijuana, Cancún, and Queretaro
  • The average salary for EFL teachers: The basic monthly salary for full-time positions is likely to be in the region of 8,000–20,000 pesos (£300–£730/€350–€800) per month. For freelance or hourly work, the usual pay is 45-120 pesos (£1.60–£4/$€2–$5) per hour up to 250 pesos (£9/€10) for private lessons in the city.
  • TEFL qualification requirements: A 120-hour TEFL qualification will be required for most positions
  • Prerequisite university degree: Not required, but employers often have a preference for one
  • Term times: The school year in Mexico starts in mid-August and ends in mid-July
  • Currency: Peso (MXN)
  • Language: Spanish
  • Teaching programmes: Public Schools, Private Schools, Universities, Corporate Teaching, Private Lessons, Volunteering
  • Age restrictions: None
  • Previous teaching experience: Experience isn’t always necessary but will offer you more opportunities, particularly if you’ve taught business English

Mexico has a high literacy rate and a number of excellent schools, with several of its private business schools scoring highly internationally. Mexico’s National Autonomous University noted for its research programmes, is the most outstanding university in the country. Primary school (primaria–grades 1–6), junior high school (secundaria–grades 7–9), and high school (preparatoria–years 10–12) are the three stages of basic education in Mexico. In addition, Mexico has around 150 international schools where English is taught in part or whole.

Teaching English in a Mexican elementary school is a solid job, but it pays low, especially if you don’t have any experience as a TEFL teacher. On the plus side, the working day frequently finishes at 2 pm, so if you wanted to supplement your income by taking on private students after school to teach English online or just from home, you’d have plenty of time. In addition, booking private language courses around the lunch hour is becoming increasingly popular. However, working in a private language centre will allow you less flexibility, as your shift may include teaching in the mornings, afternoons, or evenings, depending on your students’ ages.

Some language centres pay their English teachers in Mexico by the hour rather than by the annual salary, so you may use this to your advantage to build up a portfolio of private students while generating a steady income.

While full-time work is the norm, teaching in Mexico allows you to build up a diverse customer base on a freelance basis. Many professors provide classes to a variety of business clientele in addition to private lessons. If you wish to teach on a freelance basis, you can trade casual lessons for bed and board, which is a standard option for backpackers travelling through Mexico.

Facts about Teach English in Mexico the Complete Guide for TEFL Teachers | Reviewed May 2022

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LANGUAGE

Spanish

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POPULATION

128.9 Million

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TEFL TEACHER DEMAND

High

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CURRENCY

Peso (MXN)

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CAPTIAL

Mexico city

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OUR MEXICO TEFL RATING

4/5 stars

Tefl Jobs In Mexico: FAQS

Q:

Can I teach English in Mexico without a bachelor's degree

Mexico is one of the countries that does not require a Bachelor’s degree to teach English, but we do recommend that you have at least a TEFL certification to improve your chances of finding a job.

The basic monthly salary for full-time positions teaching English in Mexico is likely to be in the region of 8,000–20,000 pesos (£300–£730/€353–$800) per month.

No, you do not have to speak Spanish in order to teach. Some school directors will prefer that you don’t know Spanish to help the students learn better. However, having some basic Spanish phrases on hand may come in handy for you.

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