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Teaching Programs: Oaxaco, Mexico
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About Mexico |
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Mexico is a traveller's paradise, crammed with a multitude of opposing identities: desert landscapes, snow-capped volcanoes, ancient ruins, teeming industrialised cities, time-warped colonial towns, glitzy resorts, lonely beaches and a world-beating collection of flora and fauna.
This mix of modern and traditional, the clichéd and the surreal, is the key to Mexico's charm, whether your passion is throwing back margaritas, listening to howler monkeys, surfing the Mexican Pipeline, scrambling over Mayan ruins or expanding your Day of the Dead collection of posable skeletons.
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About Oaxaco |
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One of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in Latin America, Oaxaca (pronounced wah-HAH-kah) was recently voted one of the top ten destinations in the world by Travel and Leisure magazine - number 1 in Latin America. Given Oaxaca’s year-round spring-like climate, moderate size, and convenient proximity to outlying villages and archaeological sites, this is hardly surprising.
The city of Oaxaca, with a population of over 500,000, is the capital of the state of Oaxaca. Renowned as one of Mexico’s most beautiful cities, Oaxaca has much to offer, be it the colourful markets, local crafts, cuisine, prehispanic and contemporary art museums, convents and churches, and an active arts community.
The Training Centre is in a beautiful, quiet house in the downtown area, only eleven blocks from Oaxaca's main square, or zocalo (a 10-15 min. walk). Classes are held outside in the garden, on the terrace (with a nice view of the west part of the city), or in one of our classrooms.
Oaxaca lies in a broad and fertile valley 5,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains. Over the years, these mountains have served to protect and preserve the cultures of the Zapotec, Mixtec and other Indian groups. Today, Oaxaca is the Mexican state most known for its rich mixture of indigenous peoples, customs, and languages
Though blessed with tremendous natural beauty and the richness of culture, the people of Oaxaca, representing a beautiful tapestry of traditions, are probably the greatest resource and gift. Mexican families tend to have close relationships and live in the same city with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. In general, children grow up within a broad family structure. Not surprisingly, a high value is placed on the family and on sustaining those relationships.
At an elevation of 1,550 meters, Oaxaca has a pleasant climate year-round, though April and May are relatively warm, and June and July are relatively rainy. Top |
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Program Package |
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Our Flagship Program in Mexico has been designed to give you the skills and abilities to confidently live in Latin America. The goals of the program are to:
- Help you create a rewarding experience living in, working in, and learning about a new culture
- Teach you new skills
- Lead you toward the development of a wider, first-person perspective about the diversity of cultures and populations in a new and different part of the world
- To help you accomplish these goals, this program offers extensive training and orientation, job placement, and ongoing logistical support
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One-week on-site orientation and Spanish language training, to get acquainted with your fellow World TEFL School Teachers, local coordinator and experience living in Oaxaca, accommodations included. |
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Internationally recognized advanced four-week TESOL training and certification at our partner Training Centre in Oaxaca – an intensive, four week/130 hour course. |
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Accommodation during orientation and training. |
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Guaranteed job placement in a paid teaching position, including as needed and requested: assistance with resumes, scheduling interviews, transportation to interviews, job selection, school contracts, and housing. |
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24/7 on-call support for the full length of your overseas adventure, to assist you with the myriad of issues that will arise in a new culture, such as housing, medical needs, banking questions, travel arrangements, etc. |
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Medical insurance covering you from arrival in Mexico to departure for home. |
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Pre-departure Information Package including country facts, packing suggestions, vaccination information, etc., and personal assistance with pre-departure details and questions. |
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Airport pick-up and transportation to our Training Centre in Oaxaca. |
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Group activities and excursions arranged by the Corps Advocate with other World TEFL School teachers. |
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“Stay In Touch” package that includes a personal, international cell phone with paid phone time, preprogrammed with the Corps Advocate’s number, as well as internet access at the Training Centre or a local cafe. |
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Emergency evacuation coverage. |
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Career oriented re-entry package to help market your international teaching experience and enhance your resume.
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Not Included |
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Flights |
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Personal expenses (meals, entertainment, local transport, living expenses, and personal shopping); note that it is wise to arrive with some cash for expenses prior to job placement. |
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Additional visas |
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Prices & Dates |
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| Start Dates for 2006 |
Start Dates for 2007 |
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2nd July |
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TBC |
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1st September |
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All Inclusive Program Package = USD $3995.00 or GBP £2270.00
(Subject to current Exchange Rates)
Once your application has been accepted we will require a non-refundable deposit of GBP £280 or USD$ 500 to secure your placement. The remaining balance will then be due 8 weeks prior to the program start date.
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Job Placement |
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Most positions are in the city of Oaxaca, instructing secondary school students and adults at the many English Institutes, the Language Centre of Oaxaca State University, and at the three private Universities. There are also a few positions in small, nearby villages, and a few in primary schools.
It is common for Teachers to work part-time at one of the institutes or universities, and tutor part-time privately. Typical school salaries range from US$150-500 a month, given a 15-hour work week. Tutoring an additional 3 hours a week could supplement this by $100-400 a month. Since room and board for an individual generally run around $400 per month it is possible, though not typical, for Teachers in Oaxaca to save some money.
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General |
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Meals:
Those not adventurous enough to indulge in Oaxaca’s fried grasshoppers and armadillo will be delighted to know that Oaxacan cuisine is renowned for specialty cheeses, sausages, and most notably moles. Mescal, the local drink of choice, is exported worldwide.
Mole (mo-lay) sauces tend to be thick and smoky, with subtle flavours of dried chillies and citrus. Labor-intensive to prepare, moles combine dozens of ingredients: seeds, nuts, herbs, vegetables, spices and, of course, multiple chilies. While Mexico is not the most vegetarian-friendly nation, Oaxacan hosts are normally quite happy to show off their regions ample supply of fresh produce. Just be sure to let them know, when ordering a dish “sin carne,” that chicken counts as a meat.
Water, a respected and sometimes scarce commodity, should be used conservatively in the dry season, and consumed only when bottled.
Participants are responsible for their own meals.
Clothing:
Most schools in Oaxaca maintain a fairly casual environment. Linens and cottons (not shorts) are appropriate in the city. Those planning to explore rural are advised to put function before form.
When teaching, women should cover their shoulders (sleeveless shirts are appropriate, but very thin straps or tank tops are not). No low-cut necklines or very short skirts. Open-toed shoes are acceptable.
Male Teachers should wear long pants (usually not jeans), short- or long-sleeved shirt with a collar, and loafers or dress shoes. Long hair should be neatly tied into a ponytail.
Housing:
During training, comfortable housing will be provided at a local hostel or Bed & Breakfast.
After training, most Teachers live in small apartments, usually shared with other Teachers. Others choose to rent rooms with private baths in the larger Oaxacan houses. Housing costs typically run US$200-400 per month.
Communications:
World TEFL School Teachers are provided with a cell phone and prepaid phone minutes to use for the duration of your training and teaching assignment.
High speed internet connections are common in Oaxaca, as are internet cafés – some wireless ready for those with laptops.
Things to See & Do:
Oaxaca has something for everyone, whether your interest is ancient civilizations, indigenous culture, colonial architecture, gastronomy, arts and handicrafts, or local colour and festivities. The city is beautiful and peaceful and the locals are friendly, fascinating, and eager to interact with foreign guests.
Monte Alban, one of the most important pre-Columbian archaeological sites in Mesoamerica and symbol of the Zapotec people, is only 16 kilometres from the city of Oaxaca. Another famous site is Mitla, an ancient Mixtec city that once controlled the entire valley of Oaxaca.
From the bohemian feel on the beach, to the sunset bars and restaurants clinging to the hillside, to the authenticity and charm of Quepos, every Teacher-in-training finds a niche (or two) to call their own.
Other attractions include the Museum of Contemporary Art, the vibrant music and nightlife scene, and numerous fiestas. The most important of the last are La Guelaguetza, a harvest festival in late July, and La Noche de Rabanos, the "Night of the Radishes," on December 23.
Throughout your time abroad, World TEFL School offers activities and cultural events - such as group dinners and visits to local attractions.
Travel Resources:
Oaxaca State Tourism Board
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