Teaching English in Mexico: Cuautla Part 2

By: Larry M. Lynch
Submitted: 2007-01-17 10:58:55
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The City of Cuautla: "Where the eagles are abundant"

Arriving at the glass-walled ADO terminal, I exited the building to the greeting of horns blaring, the stench of choking exhaust fumes, and the shrill bleating of a policeman’s whistle as he tried futilely to evoke order from this chaos of gridlock. It seemed like all 300, 000 residents were headed down this street at the same time.

Welcome to Cuautla. The name means something like “next to the eagles” in the indigenous tongue of the Indians in this area. Inching my way across two lanes of stalled traffic to the other side of the street, I turned right, heading south on Calle 2 de Mayo. Three and a half blocks later I turned into the tranquil, fern-lined courtyard of the Hotel Espa?a and booked a room on the second floor. Tossing my bags on one of the two double beds, I sprawled across the other for a moment’s breather. I’d been through Cuautla’s worst already, “From here on it could only get better”, I thought. I was right. They did get better – much, much better.

Here’s even more grist for the English language teaching in Mexico job search mill.

Preparatoria Del Valle de Cuautla
Address: Calle N. Bravo No. 48
Col. Hidalgo
Cuautla
Phone: 353 - 4774

This is but one of the TONS of university preparatory schools here in Mexico. The school’s role is to prepare the students for passing the rigorous procedures to enter the Mexican university system. The university system is so overloaded that the entrance procedures are designed almost solely to eliminate out all but the best, most dedicated students, in addition to admitting those who families can pay the steeply rising costs. Programs are intensive and the students are usually willing to work very hard to succeed. You’ll need to be experienced and dynamic to maintain student interest. They’ll welcome some unusual activities like videos and games in English. Be creative. Shine. Have fun, and you’ll be just fine. A TEFL certificate and a university degree in any area are helpful for getting a position at this type of school here or anywhere in Mexico.

Centro Britanico de Capacitation
Address: Escolta de Morelos No. 16
Col. Centro
Phone: 354 – 1468
FAX: 354 - 3838
Website: www.netbritan.com.mx
E–mail: centrobritanico@netbritan.com.mx

An institute featuring British English, but don’t despair if you don’t sound like Prince Charles. There still may be possibilities. Teachers with some qualifications stand the best chance, but it never hurts to see what current conditions are. Salaries are commensurate and depend on individual teacher qualifications. For the most up-to-date information and complete requirements, go to their website or query them by e-mail. If you’re from Canada or the UK, great! Good luck!

CETEC
Address: Capitan Bollas S/C No. 3
Phone: 352 - 5449

Part of a chain of computer / English institutes with about 25 locations throughout Mexico that is very aggressive and busy with a lot of emphasis on a multi-media approach in their classes. English for college prep students, young adults and children are taught in addition to adult and business classes. Programs run up to 3 years in length with most students registering for at least a year, so there’s plenty of work. They don’t currently have any native speakers. Experienced teachers with TEFL certification and a dynamic manner are always in demand. If you’re a native speaker with a TEFL certificate and some experience, what are you waiting for? Go for it.

Again, 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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