Teach English in Mexico

¡Hola! If you want to know how to teach English in Mexico online or in the classroom, keep scrolling!

Did you know that Mexico is home to the largest pyramid known to man? Mexico is filled with rich Aztec and Mayan history, holding breathtaking heritage sites as well as the second greatest number of museums in the world – 170 museums to be exact. 

With friendly locals, outrageously good food and gorgeous landscapes, Mexico is an alternative destination for TEFL teachers that’s well worth a look at.

How much do we love Mexico? Let us count the ways!

There are many English teaching job opportunities in Mexico, especially in Mexico City. You can apply for these jobs throughout the year. They may not be the highest-paid jobs around, but they offer more than enough for you to live well.

To counteract the low salaries, the cost of living is low and life is good! Gorgeous beaches, interesting food, fabulous fiestas – we could go on! Plus it must be one of the easiest places on the planet to make friends.

There is an abundance of cultural attractions all over Mexico. From ancient Aztec and Mayan ruins to pyramids to museums and art galleries, Mexico is a great place for culture vultures. 

And there is plenty of natural beauty too. Beaches, volcanoes, deserts – Mexico is truly a mixed bag of natural delights. 

The list goes on! Keep scrolling to see what you can expect!

There are a few cities around Mexico which offer teaching opportunities for TEFL teachers. From sprawling cities to beach towns, you can choose a spot that suits your vibe. 

Mexico City 

Best for serious teachers

Mexico City is at the top of the list for TEFL teachers wanting to move to Mexico. Mexico City is one of the largest metropolises in the world, so if you’re not afraid of crowded spaces, this could be the place for you! Mexico City has the most teaching positions to offer in Mexico. Experienced and qualified teachers can find positions in international schools here.

Guadalajara

Best for Business English teachers

The capital of the state of Jalisco, Guadalajara is west of Mexico city and another popular destination for TEFL teachers. Guadalajara is best known for being the home of mariachi music, and being the cultural centre of Mexico. IT is a big industry here so Business English teachers are in demand. There are a number of international schools to cater for expat children.

Cancun

Best for beach bums

Cancun is a resort city and that comes with an amazing beach life! Not only is it a tourist’s dream vacation, but it also has a thriving ESL industry. There are many places to teach at – international schools, private language centres, and universities. Plus its cost of living is lower than that of Mexico city!

You will need to secure employment form a school or company before applying for an FM3 work visa. If you are looking for more of an immersion experience, there are student visa options to consider. 

If you study at a Mexican university you could get a student visa and be eligible to work 10 hours a week! Or if you enroll as a language student at a language centre, studying Spanish for example, you could get a student visa which would allow you to work as well.

If you are from the US or Canada, or have the extra cash to visit Mexico before securing a teaching position, you can enter Mexico on a 180-day tourist visa to look for a job, find a job and then apply for a work visa. 

Mexico is a great place to teach English for first-timers as teaching experience is not essential to get a job. Newbie English teachers can secure a TEFL job without teaching experience, but if you are an experienced teacher your job application will be stronger. Teachers with experience teaching Business English or English for Exams are especially sought after.

Tip: If you want to upskill yourself, you should do a speciality course to make your job application stand out from the rest. The TEFL Academy offers Top-Up courses which will do exactly that. You can choose from Teaching Business English, Teaching Young Learners, and Teaching Online and 1:1 – or do all three!

A standard Level 3 (120 hour) TEFL certificate will do if you have any teaching experience. For new teachers, we recommend the Level 5 168-hour Combined TEFL course, which provides you with a fundamental understanding of teaching English as a foreign language, as well as giving you practical teaching experience.

In Mexico, no degree is no problemo! You don’t  need a degree to find an English teaching job. That being said, you will need some other qualifications to back up your eligibility. Having a TEFL certificate or teaching experience will bolster your chances of securing a TEFL position.

The English teaching scene in Mexico is quite competitive, but you will find a position as a non-native speaker. If you are not a native speaker of English you will need to prove your English is at Level C1 on the CEFR or higher. A Level 5 TEFL course will further strengthen your application.

It is important to iron out what your employer will be offering in terms of housing and visa compensation. To be on the safe side you will need MX$25,000 – MX$30,000 ($1,300 – $1,800 USD) to get by for the first month, which will include accommodation and visa fees.

To get a general idea of how much you will need before and after moving to Mexico, take a look at these general start-up costs:

• Accommodation: A month’s rent as well as a security deposit.
• TEFL certification: A TEFL course can cost between $100 and $500, depending on the length and level of the course and the course provider. 
• Document fees: Any costs related to certifying and notarising your degree and TEFL certificate
• Flight ticket: Variable. 
• Visa application: The cost of getting an FM3 visa is subject to your home country. You can expect to pay about $90.
• Living expenses: You will need one month’s worth of start-up capital of about MX$10,000 – MX$15,000 ($555 – $825).

From teaching young learners, to corporate individuals, Mexico offers a wide range of opportunities to teach English.

Public schools

Teaching in a public school in Mexico usually means teaching at a primary level. Positions are available to teach English as a foreign language or to teach a specific subject. Though the pay is not great, your working hours are low. 

International schools 

International schools in Mexico require a teaching license. English teaching positions are available teaching Young Learners in preschool to high school. The school term begins in the last week of August, so applying well before term starts is ideal.

Language schools

You can expect to teach students of all ages, from Young Learners to working adults, at a language school or language centre. These language centres are sprawled out all over Mexico as English is seen as essential in many Mexican professions, especially because of Mexico’s relationship with the US. Working hours are usually after-hours to accommodate students’ work and school life. Teachers can work irregular hours – early mornings, evenings, and weekends – and your teaching schedule is not likely to be stable.

Universities 

Applying for a teaching position in a university program has some great perks. Teaching English at a Mexican university requires you to hold a Master’s degree and a TEFL qualification. The salary is generally higher at about MX$18,000 ($1,000) and the benefits are better too, which can include receiving Christmas bonuses, paid vacation, housing and medical insurance. 

In-company classes

With such importance placed on Business English, there is a high demand for teachers within companies and organisations. These can be organised through language centres or you can do this as a freelance teacher. The hourly rate is high and it will expose you to a totally different side of Mexico than regular teaching will do.

Private lessons

Private lessons are a popular way for teachers to supplement their income. While there is a demand for private lessons, your timetable will be sporadic so it’s not viable as a full-time option.

The best place to find the right TEFL job for you is by scouring jobs boards. Most English teaching positions are advertised on jobs boards, which will give you easy access to finding out what requirements you will need. You’ll be able to find positions in schools, language centres, businesses and universities. 

Another option is to pound the pavements in Mexico and knock on doors of schools, language centres and companies. Make sure you take hard copies of your CV, cover letter and qualifications, and dress appropriately. Employers might initially take you on as a relief teacher but this could lead to a permanent position.

There are many online companies where you can teach English online to Mexican and Latin students. Securing an online job will require a TEFL certificate as the bare minimum. 

Some popular companies to teach English online to Mexican students are: 

• Open English 
• English Key 
• Latin Hire 
• Iboux 
• Speaking Pro

What can you expect to earn as a TEFL teacher in Mexico?

• The average TEFL salary of an English teacher in Mexico ranges between MX$7,000 – MX$18,000 ($400 – $1,000 USD). 
• In language centres, your hourly rate is around MX$35 – MX$100 ($2 – $6 USD). 
• For private lessons you can charge up to MX$200 ($12 USD) an hour.

Some common benefits you can expect to receive are housing, transport and flight allowances. This is not a hard and fast offering, as each employer will offer their own set of benefits. Universities and international schools will offer better benefits than other schools or companies.

Receiving a healthcare benefit is very possible when teaching abroad in Mexico, but it depends on your employer. Be sure to enquire about this before signing a contract. 

Travel insurance is good for peace of mind.

One of the biggest perks of teaching English in Mexico is the low cost of living. In fact, living in Mexico is cheaper than almost 80% of countries worldwide. This offsets the relatively low pay. Here are some costs to give you a better idea of living expenses:

Accommodation

• One-bedroom apartment in city centre: MX$8,000 – MX$12,000 ($440 USD – $660 USD)
• One-bedrooom apartment outside city centre: MX$4,000 – MX$8,000 ($220 USD – $440 USD)

Utilities

• Electricity, heating, water: MX$600 – $1,000 ($33 USD – $55 USD)

Groceries

• Monthly shop: MX$2,000 – MX$2,500 ($110 USD – $140 USD)
• Inexpensive restaurant meal: MX$150 ($8USD)

Transport

• One-way ticket: MX$10 ($0.50 USD)
• Monthly pass: MX$350 ($20 USD)

Internet

• Unlimited: MX$450 ($25 USD)

This is one of the cons of teaching abroad in Mexico. You won’t have a lot of opportunities to save as a TEFL teacher in Mexico, as the pay is not that high. However, you will be able to live comfortably and have a good quality of life – and all the tacos and tostadas you can dream of!

TEFL teachers who have lived in Mexico describe it as a warm, beautiful country with amazing sights. The pay may not be as high as in other countries but the cost of living is low – and the food is fantastic! 

In the classroom, hierarchy is respected so students are generally well-behaved. Teachers need to dress smartly and be punctual, even though your students may not be! 

Mexico is looking to become one of the best destinations for those looking to experience a new culture and wanting to travel. However, if you are looking to make some good money and save, this may not be the best destination to get a TEFL job. 

Start your teaching course journey with a certified TEFL course provider today!