Mexican Mike Strikes Back!

[Mexico_Mike]

Hey, I figure I'll write this up and link to it when people want to know a bit about me.

My name is Mike and currently I'm writing to you from a bench in Guadalajara Mexico. The internet is free at (Plaza Guadalupe) if you're ever in town.
Anyhow I've been an ESL teacher going on 5 years now, no degree... just the Global tesol certificate. Tried CELTA, failed twice (canadian woman feminazi assesors), I'm sure you can relate. At any rate I've taught in Korea, Japan, Brazil and Mexico and have had a very excellent time, both teaching and with the women abroad. I am from a small town outside Toronto in Canada... will be returning shortly if anyone would like to hook up for a hot dog, coffee or donut.

I would like to state for the record that I DO NOT BELIEVE IN UFOs

simply because I've had the good/mis fortune of seeing a pair of them while coming home from an ESL class at night in a small Mexican town named Toluca near DF. Yep I don't believe because I know they're out there... saw two with my own eyes. Couldn't believe/understand what I was seeing at first but it was all too clear after about 20 minutes while running in fear, very hurriedly down the street. I'll post the experience in the paranormal forums a bit later.

I was brought to the forums by a link on an old thread on the Sosuave forums and I feel this is a better place to discuss issues as I am a fairly big promoter of dating/marrying foreign women and think we probably have much more in common. I am currently engaged to a wonderful young Mexican woman. If you have any questions or comments please drop me a line.

Best Regards

Mexico_Mike

[gmm567]

God tell us what do you think are the differences between american and foreign women? Give us a general overview of those countries and the women you've met.

Nice to see someone who has done what Winston has done.

[Winston]

Welcome Mike! So how did you end up in Mexico? And why isn't that a hot spot for men usually? You would think since it's easier to get to, that men seeking foreign women would go there first?

I've heard mixed things about Mexican women. Some say that they save themselves for marriage or only like guys of their own race. Is that true?

I was only in Tijuana, which I heard was a bad representation of Mexico.

[JamesSa]

Welcome to the boards!

I've heard mixed results too about Mexican women, but it looks like you're doing well. What's the pay like for ESL teachers? Also, the CELTA was that hard? I'm a little nervous, because I may start studying for CELTA in July, and don't want to waste any money.

[Mexico_Mike]

Well first let me get the CELTA out of the way. DONT TAKE IT.

http://www.englishteacherx.com <-- I am M16

Take the TESOL course instead, it costs about 1000 dollars as opposed to the 4000 you are about to shell out... I would say I learned alot more PRACTICAL teaching from TESOL and they taught me how to look for the grey area 'private classes' ... Celta is theoretical at best and alot of the stuff you will never use in the classroom. Most schools will teach you their own method and you will be expected to follow it to the letter anyway. Besides that 90% of schools world over have NEVER heard of CELTA. Just to remind you, I've taken both courses and I've taught in 5 different countries for probably around 30 to 35 schools in total. Also you can expect a lot of feminists and manginas in the CELTA course (short haired women university women that won't like it when the foreign girls start hitting on you).

Ok Mexico.... I'm told the border cities are pretty horrible places, I've never been there but I've heard people are regularly murdered, kidnapped... loads of prostitution and crime...plus a drug war. Mexican women.... generally don't wait till marriage, well not the one I met, but neither did I, however they warm up to the idea of having children, cooking and cleaning a lot faster and easier than most south american girls I've dated. My girlfriend regularly cleans and cooks and doesn't like it when I eat at restaurants (that's a very nice feeling). They can be jealous though... a friend of mine married a girl and she called like 5 times over the period of 2 hours (just to check up on him) whenever he was out with me. Mine drops me a lot of texts for the same.. if you have problems with that then steer clear.
Otherwise they become very family oriented when they see you want a long term relationship. I met my girlfriend online at http://www.couchsurfing.com, she happened to be from a rich family and for some reason money here makes people largely dysfunctional so if I were you I would aim for a lower class girl... my soon to be father in law makes the equivalent of about 100,000 US a month here in mexican pesos and he is the meanest so and so you ever want to meet. He hardly acknowledges my presence even after a year and a half. Some of the friendliest most accommodating people I have met are usually also the poorest. Anyway Mexican girls really REALLY like meeting foreign guys, especially western guys, so coming here you really have an advantage over the average guy.




Lots of UFOs here btw... saw another 15 or so last sunday, watched them in the sky for about an hour.. really cool.. not as shocking this time around though (broad daylight 12 noon)

[Winston]

Hi Mike,
I dated a girl from couchsurfing too, one time. The types from there are usually very nice. But some are really hippie like and very politically correct too.

If she was from a rich family though and snobby, why was she so open with you?

So why isn't Mexico more popular with Americans? Why aren't there bride sites like with Russian bride sites?

Do you have any idea why a lot of UFO's would hang around there?

[starscream]

Do you have any idea why a lot of UFO's would hang around there?

The male Aliens are having a hard time finding dates on their own planet and apparently, Mexico is the place to find love for them too.

[Mr S]

Well first let me get the CELTA out of the way. DONT TAKE IT.

Take the TESOL course instead, it costs about 1000 dollars as opposed to the 4000 you are about to shell out... I would say I learned alot more PRACTICAL teaching from TESOL and they taught me how to look for the grey area 'private classes' ... Celta is theoretical at best and alot of the stuff you will never use in the classroom. Most schools will teach you their own method and you will be expected to follow it to the letter anyway. Besides that 90% of schools world over have NEVER heard of CELTA. Just to remind you, I've taken both courses and I've taught in 5 different countries for probably around 30 to 35 schools in total. Also you can expect a lot of feminists and manginas in the CELTA course (short haired women university women that won't like it when the foreign girls start hitting on you).

I think whether you decide to take the CELTA or do a TEFL certificate depends on how serious you want your credentials to be and whether you think you will be teaching for the long run. The CELTA will open more doors for you with more lucrative employers who are generally more leaning to UK or Australian style English schools or companies. TEFL is more for North American English and works for countries that prefer that brand. In North and South America it probably doesn't matter if you have either but they probably are more familiar with TEFL. In Asia both are ok, although there are a lot of schools that cater to either or in the language side and having a TEFL will sometimes not get you into teaching at a school who may be British or Aussie owned. Brits are kinda snobby about credentials and look down upon American academic qualifications.

I don't know much about Europe but I'm sure there is a preference for CELTA in EU countries and it probably doesn't matter for Eastern ones and Russia.

I was denied a job at the British Council in Manila because I had a TEFL certificate instead of a CELTA even though I have a masters degree in education. Most British schools will not hire Americans unless you have extremely high credentials and references from previous British employers, they watch out for their own usually. Aussies aren't as bad for hiring Americans. I finally got from a company that competes directly with BC, so its all good now.

If you are going to be a professional teacher I suggest getting a masters degree in education or a related academic field like science or math that way you get get more lucrative jobs at international schools that pay well and have great benefits.

I decided to go this route and it has opened a lot more doors for me, although it does take a major time investment on the learners part to accomplish.

There are a lot of angry woman everywhere and you just have to be cautious when you meet any new woman the first few times until you know their personality. If you have to play the game for a little while in a class or a teaching course, oh well, it will be over before you know it. You have to know how to be an actor in front of certain types of people. I've gotten burned many times in the past thinking a person is cool and then they back stab me later. I usually find it is westerners that do this, both men and woman. I guess its part of the "moving up the corporate ladder mentality".

This is why I refuse to live permanently in any western country again.

[JamesSa]

That's an insightful comparison. As for myself, I have a BBA in finance.

I'm highly considering getting a masters degree in education after reading your post, Mr S. I'm strategically planning for my 30s right now at 28.

I wouldn't enjoy a life as an itinerant teacher who possesses a certificate that only guarantees low-wage ESL jobs.

[Mr S]

That's an insightful comparison. As for myself, I have a BBA in finance.

I'm highly considering getting a masters degree in education after reading your post, Mr S. I'm strategically planning for my 30s right now at 28.

I wouldn't enjoy a life as an itinerant teacher who possesses a certificate that only guarantees low-wage ESL jobs.

I assume you must be halfway decent with numbers so I would pursue a masters in either education with a specialty related to your field of interest or just plain do a masters in mathematics. International schools are begging for native speakers who can teach all levels of math.

I'm not a numbers guy and went for a specialization in reading and writing, which I figured was the closest I could get to a TEFL type degree, as well as still allow me to be recognized as a specialist reading teacher for a typical K-12 school. If I wanted to work for an international school, this degree covers elementary and middle school grades mostly.

I've been working on a Humanities masters on the side as well to balance my education masters as many international schools with an IB program teach that genre as a separate part of the curriculum. (mostly in middle school)

So In another couple of years I should be maxed out on what I want for self-certification unless I ever want to pursue a doctorate in the future, who knows?

Also many states if you get a Masters in an educational field they will wave the need for you to take their state certification test for the subject area you want to teach. So as I retain citizenship in the state of NH, I just paid $130 to have them review my transcripts and I got a reading and writing specialist certificate good for 3 years from the state of NH. Every 3 years to renew a teaching liscense there, one just has to show they are taking academic classes every now an then. So my other degree will fit that bill and then give me another 3 years again.

Anyways most international schools give teachers a yearly allowance to attend training and they can spend it any way they like as long as its towards improving their skills. Some schools also have partnerships with American universities to give new teachers an option to get their masters in education during the semester breaks over the two year contract. However after completion you have to stay on for at least another 2 years with the school as they help pay the cost of it.

Here is the master list of American style International schools to give you an idea of whats out there. I would never teach in a western country, but I would certainly teach overseas as teachers are much more respected, plus you actually work in a school with all the resources a proper educational establishment needs:

http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/c1684.htm

PM me if you want to know which universities I attended, they are both online but good ones. I have a decent intuitive knack for weeding out bad from good experiences. I can answer basic questions about them also.

[JamesSa]

That is an accurate assumption of my familiarity with numbers. If I felt more comfortable, I would indeed go for a masters in mathematics. But I think I'll take your first suggestion of pursuing a masters in education with a specialty in finance or business.

I was never aware that some states allow you to forgo a state certification test for the subject area in which you plan to teach provided you have a masters. This is encouraging information.

I'll check out the link you gave, and send you a pm.

Thanks.