TEFL in Guadalajara Mexico

There is something about arriving in a new place that is addictive. I think it is one of the reasons why I love travelling and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. To be uncertain of what exactly is about to be unleashed on you, who you will meet, what you will do, see, eat, hear, be, and how you will FEEL about it all is certainly thrilling. In the end, I always like the idea of moving on. It makes room for the new stuff to come through.

And so, after spending the night in Peru’s incredibly overwhelming capital, I got my flight to Mexico. My experience has lead me to favour cities that are not the capital in a country, and so I have followed my instinct and explored something a little different to the obvious choices of the capitals. There’s no denying that Mexico City was going to be like nowhere I had ever been before, but I wasn’t tempted by it yet. I had the impression Mexico was probably going to be a little in my face anyway, especially after having spent a while in Cuzco, a place of heightened spirituality and dedicated to personal wellbeing. Considering all this i decided to fly straight to Guadalajara. I don’t think it was that much of a ‘cop out’, as it is still Mexico’s second biggest city, which still means it’s HUGE! With a population of 1.5 million people I was sure I would find what I was looking for.

Guadalajara really is a beautiful place. In parts I feel like it is Mexico’s answer to the mesmerising city of Arequipa in Peru. Guadalajara really delivers a part of Mexico that I love. The streets surrounding me were brimming with families, dogs, mariachis, street sellers, restaurant gardens tumbling onto the main streets, and of course, TACOS EVERYWHERE, all under the watchful eye of the sensational cathedral. You know you are close to where you need to be when you can see the spires piercing the flawless blue sky. On my first day I was introduced to ‘rellenos’ - a huge pepper, filled with cheese, fried and then with an assortment of sides. And a coca cola of course (I feel like coke has a special place within the Mexican culture. You have tacos and a coke and that’s just the way it is). I was also introduced to one of the oldest and most traditional bars in Guadalajara - La Fuente. Founded in 1921, the owners have really kept everything as traditional as it always was, even down to keeping the beer cool only with ice in boxes right in front of you. No fridges needed. The high ceilings and unflattering lighting made me realise how lucky I was to be in Mexico, drinking a Pacifico, the only English tongue amongst a sea of Mexican. Before long a man who seemed as though he was around not long after the opening of the bar, approached the piano that was in the centre of the room. He played and sang and took no notice of whether he was applauded or appreciated modestly. He belonged in the bar, and to me, made it what it was. He was there every night I returned after.

There are many English schools in Guadalajara. And therefore, many opportunities for English teachers. What is important to remember for teachers is that Mexico’s position geographically means that there are more English teachers from North America and at times more opportunities and demand for American English as opposed to British English. In Guadalajara specifically it is vital for a teacher to have a TEFL qualification of some sort, and it seems as though it can be a little difficult for teachers without a lot of experience from the UK to teach in the city, as visa prices are high. But, after securing the right job for you and with the right qualifications, there is no reason why it can’t be simple for a teacher from anywhere to secure the right job for them.

I spoke to a good mixture of teachers in Guadalajara. Some had been teaching a short few months, and others had taught for more than 20 years. Both gave valuable information both about teaching and about living in Guadalajara - so much so I decided to make a longer than usual video! First, I visited English S.C. where I had the delight of speaking to Omar Barreto. Omar's passion for teaching, and even better, his passion for his country, was apparent. He told me about his continual development as a teacher, and how, though it was something he slipped into, it had guided him throughout his life. The teachers at the second school I visited, Interlingua, eluded similar passion for teaching though differently - their student base was slightly more professional and so their teaching techniques allowed a little more structure. I get the impression they knew what they expected out of each lesson and the aims were easily met, as opposed to Omar’s school catering for teenagers and adults alike. Omar expressed to me how the unpredictability of his classes throughout the years has made his job near on impossible but provided him with lesson after lesson. I think I understand what he means. Teaching anyone in turn teaches you, but sometimes with younger learners you have the potential to learn more, faster.

An overriding feeling, something I was told about but that was also apparent to me from the second I stepped onto  Mexican soil, was that the people are excited by foreigners. They care about where you are from - “Ahhhh INGLATERRA?! Muy lejos no?!” - they care about you eating the right food, going to the right places, staying away from the wrong ones, being safe, having a good time… they give a damn about you. They are curious. And one thing you can expect as a foreign teacher in Guadalajara, and Mexico overall I imagine, is that the kids will be excited by your presence. They have learnt from their culture, from their parents, to be excited by and welcome what is different. And maybe that is something seriously worth thinking about. Often, if not, always, the happiness is in the people, not the place. So maybe the most valuable information I can give you is about the people. If you want to work with beautiful, open, accepting, curious, vibrant, spirited people, go to Mexico. If you want a beautiful city sprinkled with passion for everything within in, head to Guadalajara.