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Weekends are made for the sun, surf and sand, but during the week, there’s work to be done in Acapulco. Imagine going at lunch to watch the world-renown cliff divers or passing a free evening sipping a Coco-loco or Mai-tai on the beach as the sun turns the Pacific Ocean to gold and copper hues. Such is the lure of one of Mexico’s premiere playgrounds. But all play and no work makes Jack (or Jackie) a dull person, so let’s get to work bringing home the bacon so to speak. English language teaching professionals can find rewarding, stimulating work to offset the resort atmosphere that pervades everyday life here. Try these English language teaching schools for example.

Universidad Americana de Acapulco
Address: Costera Miguel Aleman No. 1756
Fracc. Magallanes
Phones: 986-5341,42 486-5618,19 485-3149,53
Website: www.uaa.edu.mx
E-Mail: info@uaa.edu.mx

You’ll need a fair cache of qualifications to land something here, but it’s worth a shot as salaries can be quite lucrative depending on your background and experience. Benefits can be interesting too, including tuition for advanced studies. Programs for English teachers are taught here and you might likewise have some luck with offering up-dated courses in Advanced Conversation, U.S. History or North American Studies. The first step should be to visit their web site for program details, then follow up with a series of concise e-mails to make proposals. The site here isn’t that big though and you might have better luck working from other university offices in Chilpancingo or even Mexico City, but don’t pass up an opportunity to interview or inquire directly here in Acapulco.

RALHER INSTITUTE
Address: Velasquez de Leon 485-A altos 2 Centro

Phone: 483-2344

An individualized audio-visual system is employed here, supposedly making classes more dynamic for students of all ages. The institute isn’t huge but can have a fair number of students at various times of the year. If you have business experience or can teach business English, so much the better. Be sure to bring up those points during an interview or application process. Classes tend to be early or late with a few during the day offerings.

Centro Universitario de Lenguas Extranjeras
Address: Mar de Akaba Ote. 8
Fracc. Las Anclas (in front of the offices of La Estrella de Oro bus lines)
Phones: 485-3587, 486-9855

Other languages, in addition to English, are often taught here, depending on the time of year, but English is their big draw. Native speakers are always in high demand, especially those who are career teachers and not just “tourists passing through”. You may well spend your evenings and weekends at the beach or in the myriad of discos, but by all means do present and conduct yourself as a professional during interviews and working hours. That will afford you excellent opportunities of landing a decent contract here (or elsewhere).

Instituto de Educacion Superior “JAIME TORRES BODET”
Address: Av. La Suiza No. 160
Fracc. Las Playas (Caleta)

Phones: 482-6121, 482-3777, 483-8184
E-Mail: iesjtb@aca-novenet.com

This mid-size school runs programs for children and adults in addition to its intensive summer courses in July and August. It’s in a fairly upscale section of town so the students pay well to attend classes here. This gives you better options, as a native English speaker, to negotiate a good salary. They may well ask for you to teach a “sample” lesson too, so be prepared.

Be sure to check out my other articles in the two continuing series: Teaching English in Mexico and Traveling in Mexico. If you would like more information, have questions or comments, the author can be e-mailed; see address below.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an ELT Teacher Trainer, English language learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. He has published more than 350 articles and academic papers and presented at numerous EFL teacher training and TEFL conferences throughout North America, South America and Europe. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

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In parts one and two of this article series, we looked at some options for an English language teaching (ELT) or TEFL position at local schools in Acapulco. We continue with two additional secondary / college-prep schools which could offer some strong ELT possibilities. They are:

Colegio Albert Einstein
Address: Av. Cuauhtemos No. 288 and
Av. Farallon No. 75 Col Garifa

Phones: 487-3108, 487-3166

Like a number of public and private schools in the area, this conglomerate school has students from as young as four or five years of age up to high school. There’s also a university prep series of courses that aid in Mexico’s tough university entrance exams, which are designed apparently, to weed out as many hopefuls as possible from the government-guaranteed education system. Student quotas are very limited so only the luckiest (or most influential) families get their kids in. If you’ve a penchant for a particular age group, you should be able to manage a position teaching it, but it would be more beneficial to the school if you could teach multiple levels and age groups.

Universidad Americana de Acapulco Preparatory School
Address: Av. Universidad y Calle del Momo
Fracc. Magallanes

Phone: 487-9170
FAX: 437-6645

As the name implies, this is a university-sponsored school for students preparing to enter the university system (or hoping to at any rate). Classes are principally for teenagers and adolescents with occasional students who may be older. There is a heavy emphasis on having a background in English and computers throughout Mexico. President Fox’s administration is adding extra impetus to this so there’s an English or computer school popping up on every corner these days. Take advantage of your native-speaking skills to shop around and negotiate not only salary, but hours, benefits, housing assistance, Spanish classes, transportation, meals, or anything else you can. Of course you’ll be in much better stead to do so if you speak some Spanish, but don’t be afraid to try. It won’t cost you anything - really.

Finally, be sure to check out my other articles in the two continuing series: Teaching English in Mexico and Traveling in Mexico. If you would like more information, have questions or comments, the author can be e-mailed; see address below.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an ELT Teacher Trainer, English language learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. He has published more than 350 articles and academic papers and presented at numerous EFL teacher training and TEFL conferences throughout North America, South America and Europe. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

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In addition to considering the time frame and logistics of a TEFL job search, you should consider taking a pilot trip to the one or two city destinations you have in mind. Allow at least three weeks for a trip that covers, say, Mexico City and Monterrey. You’ll need eight or nine days in each city plus a day or two of travel time between them. But why, o ye of little faith may ask, should I go there and then come back home?

Well, conditions permitting, there are a number of good, solid reasons to consider planning a pilot trip. Let’s look at some of them.

First you’ll be looking at the city with the eyes of an English language teaching resident, not a tourist. You’ll pay more attention to availability, or lack thereof, of goods and services. What do local supermarkets stock? What do staple items cost?

Next, look through the classifieds at apartment and housing prices. Look for other amenities like new and used furniture items. Note transportation costs. How much is a haircut or visit to the hairstylist?

After that, check out local pharmacies. Browse the Farmer’s or produce markets on Saturday or whatever day the market is in session where you’re planning to live. Note products and prices.

Then, go to nightclubs, if that’s your thing. Check out entertainment options. Where are theaters and how much are movie tickets? Visit local malls or shopping districts. Note what’s available and prices for items from household goods to clothes. Remember, you’ll need to furnish an apartment with essentials; things for the kitchen, bathroom and your bedroom. If it’s cheaper to bring in items you already have, do so. If not, you can budget what to buy and from where.

How about day or weekend trips? How much from your new city to the nearest beach? To the mountains? To go on hiking, fishing nature or other types of tours?

How will you meet new people? In church, practicing a sport or hobby, at discos, while strolling the park or neighborhood? Don’t forget your family and friends back home, either. Find out about internet cafes, postal services and parcel post services. You’ll likely need them all. Make a listing of places, prices and other useful info.

What teaching materials, books, resources and accessories are available? Make note of what you’ll need to bring vs. what can be bought locally. Assemble a collection of paraphernalia from home such as photos, postcards, maps, newspapers, magazines, advertisements, classifieds, music, anything you can think of which won’t be obtainable in your new home.

If this all sounds like a lot of things to do, that’s why a pilot trip is essential. You’ll have time to do just these things without the pressures of going to work, planning lessons, and taking care of the essential but mundane chores of everyday living. These don’t go away just because you live in an “exotic” location. You still need to wash clothes, cook, clean (including sweeping, mopping and dusting), put out the trash, wash dishes and perhaps - gasp! - iron, even if you live in Acapulco or Cancun. While you’re at it, check on the affordability of having a maid.

I know it just doesn’t sound right - that’s why I’m here giving you a reality check.
Is everybody awake now? Don’t forget to get yourself some good local maps of the city, the region and the country. Start memorizing them - now.

Finally, a pilot trip can be done at almost any time. You needn’t concern yourself with the right time to TEFL job hunt just yet. You need to focus on the area where you want to live. If you have the time, the pilot trip can certainly also serve for your English language teaching job search. Especially if you’re locked in on a specific location like Mexico City, Guadalajara or Monterrey, your pilot trip can encompass many aspects. Once everything’s more or less in place, take your final swing back home to pick up what you need (now you know exactly what that is).

Making a pilot trip can greatly ease any “culture shock” you might experience later. Say “see you later” to friends, family and former co-workers, then light out to your new home, a host of new friends, co-workers, experiences and adventures you’ll never forget.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an ELT Teacher Trainer, English language learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. He has published more than 350 articles and academic papers and presented at numerous EFL teacher training and TEFL conferences throughout North America, South America and Europe. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

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