Teach Abroad in Mexico

La Vida Dulce, working in Mexico really is the sweet life. Make no mistake — Mexico may share a border with the United States, but the lifestyle in this Latin American country is completely unique. Though Mexico is our neighbor, in many ways it seems a world away. Its affordability and proximity to home make working abroad in Mexico an ideal choice for many Americans. As the ancient home of the Mayans and with one of the most prosperous economies in Latin America today, Mexico is home to endless learning possibilities.

Ruins of Palenque: Learn Spanish and the history of ancient civilizations while teaching in Mexico. Photo Courtesy of Jan Harenburg on Wikimedia

Study in Mexico: Language Learning

Mexican law states is much like many other countries in terms of employment. It basically states that international workers cannot be employed if they are taking a job out of the hands of a citizen. This is why knowing English is incredibly beneficial. You have a skill that is needed and unique south of the border.

Be A Teacher

Teachers can learn just as much as their students and teaching English in Mexico provides an excellent opportunity for language exchange. Earn a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate. Courses commonly run for four to eight weeks but vary greatly. You can learn entirely online or take classes that include real teaching experiences. The cost of certification and quality of job available after training will reflect the hours of work that is required.

Be A Student

Work and education aren’t separate. It is possible to take classes while you teach. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t always necessary to be an enrolled college student to study abroad. People can directly enroll or participate in short term study abroad programs that are open to everyone. A study abroad program in Mexico should be based on your level of Spanish.

Mexico’s major cities offer an abundance of courses for Spanish learning for all abilities. These courses suit every time frame, objective, and budget, from short-term intensive classes, one-on-one instruction, to a full-semester Spanish course. They are offered through language schools or universities. Classes are usually offered four to five days a week in morning and/or afternoon blocks, so students have plenty of free time for traveling, exploring, or teaching their own classes. Often, excursions are planned in conjunction with programs. Students don’t simply sit in a classroom each day, listening to lectures and reading books, either. These programs include hands-on fieldwork and course-related excursions.

Prices vary but small classes usually cost around a couple hundred US Dollars per week while more intensive or college credit courses cost more.

Other Courses in Spanish

For those with a high level of Spanish or who are fluent, many Mexican universities offer college courses to foreigners. This opens doors to all kinds of classes. If there is already a strong base in the language take your skills to the next level with a art or history course. Meet locals, experience new teaching techniques, and practice Spanish while learning more about the culture.

Some universities have classes for students who are not fluent in Spanish, but the courses are very limited. Many of the programs offered are in the liberal arts, or in fields such as Spanish Language/ Linguistics; Mexican Culture & Social Studies; Latin American Studies; or the arts.

Where To Live?

Remember that accommodations can add to those prices but luckily Mexico offers a wide variety from homestays to dorm style living. In a homestay environment you will be compelled to speak Spanish at home and therefore end up learning the language much faster than in an environment where Spanish is only spoken part time. Homestays are always the cheaper option for housing, and meals are usually included. Some teaching programs offer individual rooms on campus or will help teachers locate lodging near the school.

Learning in Mexico On Your Own

Studying in Mexico doesn’t necessarily demand a learning institution. What about knowledge seekers who would like to learn their own way? For independent learners, Mexico has unlimited opportunities.

The nation’s capital, Mexico City, is the second largest city in the world and is world-renowned for its art, economy, and tourism. Museums and ancient architecture abound, but modern-day development is also obvious in the city’s many high-rises and international businesses.

Traveling further east and south into the country, one can tour and study the ancient ruins of the Mayan civilization, in states like Campeche, Quintana Roo, the Yucatan, and Chiapas. In fact, much of Mexico is home to ruins of many ancient civilizations.

The entire country is made up of a wide range of landscapes, which means traveling will never become boring. Deserts, mountains, jungles, and beaches provide the perfect backdrop for ecotourism, which has become very popular in Mexico. Preserved, historical cities also tell the story of the nation’s past and how it is so intertwined with the culture today. It is easy to make your own Mexican History and Civilization class by merely planning a trip.