Site logo

Teach English In Mexico

Teach English in Mexico and experience the heat in the food to the fiery fireworks at fiestas, from the hum of wildlife in its jungles to the buzz of the people in its busy cities! Read our guide to find out more…
If you manage to teach English in Mexico it allows you to experience a way of life that can only be described as a colourful adventure. From the heat in the food to the fiery fireworks at fiestas, from the hum of wildlife in its jungles to the buzz of the people in its busy cities, from the heights of the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains to the depths of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Mexico has something to offer to every visitor. Mexico’s vibrant culture, rich history and the indisputable warmth of her people have made this one of the best countries to teach English and travel destinations in the world.

Snapshot Of Mexico

Capital

Mexico City

Currency

Peso

Population

126 Million

Climate

Tropical

Getting Ready For Your Teach English In Mexico Latino Adventure

If you desire to teach English in Mexico, you are in luck. One of the biggest job markets for foreigners is teaching jobs abroad in Mexico by becoming an international teacher. English speaking skills are regarded as a valuable tool for getting ahead in life. The affinity for the language can perhaps be explained by Mexico’s proximity to the United States and the trade and business ties between the two countries. Mexico is also a major tourist destination. Mexicans with English speaking skills find it easier to get jobs in the competitive tourism sector.

Given the Mexican love affair with the English language, there are plenty of language schools in the country where you could try your luck. There are also opportunities in schools and business houses. Conversational English classes are a big draw. You could also supplement your income by becoming a private English tutor.

Here are a few tips to start your new teaching journey in one of the best countries to teach English and  make your Mexcian adventure successful:

How To Teach English In Mexico?

Tip 1: Research Possible Locations:

a-beautiful-rural-town-in-mexico-with-english-teacher-and-students-walking-through
Although rural Mexican towns are very beautiful and picturesque the earning potential is less.

Opportunities to teach English in Mexico is primarily in the main cities as well as its quieter, semi-rural towns. Be clear in your mind about where you want to work. The hustle and bustle of Mexico City, Puebla, Juarez, Puerto Vallarta, León, Guadalajara and Monterrey is exciting. But there is a quieter side to Mexico that has its gentle charm. The communities are close-knit, and life moves at a more sedate pace. However, the pay scales are lower in rural schools. You need to weigh the pros and cons of different locations before deciding where to teach English in Mexico.

Tip 2: Learn Spanish:

teaching-spanish-to-students
Although learning a new language is difficult, Spanish is considered as one of the easiest

Your stint in Mexico will be more rewarding if you know the local language. Your connection with people, and of course, your students will be more affluent. Learning an additional language is an asset in the long run. The more languages you know, the more successful will be your teach abroad career plan! It would be wise to consider the additional expense of learning Spanish as a long term investment.

Tip 3: Get Your Certifications:

As we said earlier, the ability to teach English in Mexico is easy. You may land one, with neither a TEFL nor any equivalent certification. However, it will certainly improve your credibility and prospects if you have the required qualifications. The more reputed institutes prefer qualified candidates. You can also work at getting a TEFL certification, once you have started working in Mexico. It will help you to upgrade to a better institute when your present contract expires.

Tip 4: Pre-job Mexico Trip:

While it is possible to get a job via a video interview, in most cases, schools prefer to interview you on site. It may become necessary to put aside some funds for this purpose.

Educating Abroad Quick Tip: Some areas in Mexico have serious law and order problems. It is wiser not to live and work in these areas. Exclude these cities from your job search.

Where do Opportunities Exist To Teach English in Mexico? When do you Begin the Application Process?

English teachers have a wide range of opportunities in Mexico. If you want to be a full-time teacher, you can seek positions in private schools with classes from K-12 grade. You may be expected to teach other subjects like history in addition to English. 

If you are looking for something more unconventional than being a regular teacher in a school, send your resume to language schools. The language schools’ classes are more interactive and fun as your students will be teens, young and older adults.

The disadvantage of working full time in language schools is that the schedule leaves you with very little flexibility for any personal work. You would be expected to take classes in the evenings or at night for working professionals. This can play havoc with both your social life as well as your Explore-Mexico-Plan! 

If you are clear in your mind that you want a sort of working holiday or a flexible work schedule – and that your job is mainly a way to fund your exploration of this wonderful country – you can look at part-time opportunities in language schools. If you fall short of funds, you can tap private tutoring openings.

If you are interested only in the higher-paying teaching jobs, send your application to the companies that offer classes to corporate clients. The disadvantage is that you need to go to the clients’ offices to teach, which can be quite a bewildering experience. Also, most business English classes are held either before or after office hours. This, again, can play havoc with your personal life. You will be stuck at work when most people are out enjoying the famed Mexican nightlife!

The working atmosphere at international schools in Mexico is smooth and professional in other parts of the world. The facilities and amenities make teaching in Mexico very rewarding. However, opportunities are limited to teachers with work experience and a certified teacher’s license from their home country.

When should you start the application process? The application process in private schools starts as early as July. Opportunities in language schools are available throughout the year, though August is the peak hiring month. If you have, for some reason, missed both these hiring periods, you could try your luck in December. There may be a few vacancies before the beginning of the second semester.

Educating Abroad Quick Tip: The process of applying for permission to work legally in the country begins only after a school hires you.

Qualifications Required To Teach English in Mexico

There is a lot of ambiguity regarding the qualifications for English teachers in Mexico. Some institutes will hire you as long as you are fluent in the language. If you are a native English speaker, schools here are even willing to train you if you have not worked as a teacher before. Other institutes may demand a TEFL certificate, while some may insist on a Bachelor’s degree! One can safely say that the Mexican job market for English teachers has a place for everybody. 

If you have just graduated and are looking to spend a gap year teaching and exploring, one way to achieve that is to teach English in Mexico is probably your best and easiest bet. Getting a teaching job in Mexico is easy, even if you do not have any of the qualifications that are usually required to apply for a teaching post.

Well qualified, experienced teachers can try international schools which primarily stick to their criteria of having licensed teachers with work experience. Reputed language schools usually require a Bachelor’s degree in any subject. Some universities will consider your application only if you have a Master’s degree. The more qualified you are, the greater the chances of getting a higher-paying job.

Educating Abroad Quick Tip: Even though Mexican schools are flexible vis-a-vis your teaching qualifications, they do require a lot of documents. You will need copies of your birth certificate, college transcripts etc.

How to Process Your Visa To Teach English Mexico

The process of obtaining a work visa in Mexico is not complicated. But be prepared to do most of the paperwork on your own. Unlike other countries where the school will either take over or help you in the application process, Mexican employers usually expect you to independently complete the formalities. If you find the paperwork overwhelming, there are agencies you can hire to do it for you.

  1. You will have entered Mexico on a tourist visa to search for a job. Once you get a job, you need to change the status of your visa. Be sure to get a contract or employment letter from the school written on the official letterhead.
  2. Once you have an appointment letter, you must apply for a migration from a tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant Visitor Visa with Permission to Engage in Lucrative Activities. This visa is popularly known as the FM3 visa. Please fill out the application form on the immigration office website and submit it along with your employment letter.
  3. A couple of weeks after you have applied, you will get a notice from the immigration department giving you a list of documents to be submitted. The documents required include photocopies of all the pages of your passport, copy of your TEFL certificate and degree certificate (with an apostille), birth certificate, photographs, a copy of your tourist visa and proof of residence.
  4. You can track the progress of your visa application through a code given by the immigration department.
  5. Once your visa is ready, you have to pick it up from a consulate overseas. It does seem very bureaucratic, but that is the way it works in Mexico! After coming to Mexico to get a job, you have to leave the country to pick up your visa and then return once again!
  6. Visa fees are applicable when you submit your form and also when you pick up your visa.
  7. The visa permits you to stay and work in Mexico for one year. But it can be renewed three times. After three renewals, you can apply for a residency permit.

Educating Abroad Quick Tip: Passport holders of all countries except North Korea and Iran can apply for a work visa in Mexico.

What is the Salary Range for an English Teacher in Mexico?

Just as there is a range of opportunities for English teaching jobs in Mexico, the work conditions also vary enormously. If you are working in a private school, you will start your school day by 8 am. Most schools also have an extra hour or two for extracurricular activities.

International schools have excellent facilities, and since most people working here are expatriates, you will feel at home quickly. The language schools have the advantage of small class sizes. However, given that the students have a varying degree of English fluency, preparing lessons is more complicated than usual. You would probably have to teach both the basics of the language as well as advanced business English.

Salaries vary widely depending on the institute and your qualifications. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, you will likely fall in the lower end of the pay scale. Salaries for teachers with a TEFL certificate but without a bachelor’s degree will be around $300-$500. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can earn $1000-$1200.

If these figures seem relatively low, remember that the cost of living in Mexico is also meagre. You also have the option of bumping up your earnings by taking private tuitions or conversation classes. You can charge around $20 per hour for a private lesson.

Teaching in Mexico is not lucrative. If you are careful about expenses, you may have some savings at the end of your stint. However, what is guaranteed is that you will have a great time exploring the country, its culture, food and people.

Educating Abroad Quick Tip: Some schools will cover your visa application fee. If this is not included in your contract or employment letter, do try and negotiate.

Living It Up In Mexico

Do not be put off by the low salaries offered by Mexican schools. It does not take much money to have a comfortable life when you teach English in Mexico. The average salary in Mexico is $500. Rents account for 22 per cent of a monthly expense. Other major costs are groceries (35%), restaurants (14%) and transportation (12%).

Let us examine some of your main outgoings in Mexico and how much it will cost you:

The Cost To Rent In Mexico

There are different types of housing and different rents in other areas. You can pick and choose the location and kind of accommodation you require to keep your costs down. The rental for a one-bedroom house in the city centre will be $300. Utility charges, including electricity, water, heating and garbage disposal, works out to $35. If that seems high to you, there is the option of sharing. A one-bedroom shared accommodation (utilities included) will cost you only around $160-$170.

The Cost Of Groceries & Staples In Mexico

The cost of food is low in Mexico. Given the fresh fruits and vegetables, you might be tempted to cook more during your stint here than you would normally do at home. A kilo of apples will cost you $2, while onions will set you back by a dollar. Milk is less than a dollar per litre, and a loaf of bread is priced at around $1.50. A bottle of decent wine to round off dinner with your friends would be about $8. A dozen eggs are available for $1.50.

Some Quick FAQ's On Teaching English In Mexico

Yes you can teach English in Mexico without a Degree. Mexico is one the few countries who do not require a degree to teach English in Language schools. We do advise however if you are new to teaching is to complete a in class TEFL certificate to help your transition into to teaching.

Japan is a very popular destination for English teachers which makes it hard to teach English In Japan. You would need a high level of academic qualifications. However there is always opportunities due to the need for English teachers in Japan.

The Cost Of An Evening In Mexico

Socialising and partying is a part of the nightlife in Mexico. If that’s not your scene, you could always opt for a quiet dinner and a movie. The bill for a three-course meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant would come to $25-30 and two movie tickets for $7. You can have a quick bite off a street cart or an inexpensive family-owned restaurant for as little as $5.

Getting Around Mexico City

Public transport is very reasonable and a great way to get to know the city intimately. Monthly passes are available for just $18! If you prefer to drive, the price for a new mid-range car is $15,000, while gasoline costs around $1.

The cost of living is the highest in Tijuana, Cancun and Monterrey. Rents are much higher in Mexico City as compared to other cities.

Living Your Dream Life

Freshly minted graduates/ TEFL certified teachers move to Mexico to fulfil their dream of living in this tropical paradise. The first few days will be difficult. Mexico is beautiful, but it can also be noisy, chaotic and confusing. It is also a country of sharp contrasts, and it takes time to absorb the stark poverty that exists with such affluence. If you are not familiar with Spanish, that would be yet another stumbling block.

But once you have settled in and the culture shock has worn out, all that you heard, read and dreamt about this wonderful land will come true. One reason for Mexico’s popularity is its people. Warm and friendly, they will make you feel at home immediately. Mexican cities often top polls conducted by travel magazines on ‘friendliest city in the world/friendliest global destination/most welcoming country.” Mexico was ranked 23rd in the World Happiness Report 2019, released by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Your Mexican friends with their joy for life will soon have you dancing the Jarabe Tapatío!

Yet another facet of Mexico that you will love exploring is the spice and flavour of Mexican food. Once you have gorged on the famous tacos, nachos or enchiladas with the chilli-infused salsa and subtle guacamole, allow your taste buds to go on a culinary discovery. 

There is so much more to Mexican food than popularised in Mexican restaurants across the world. The recipes of the diverse dishes can trace their roots back to the Aztec and Mayan era. There is also a pinch of Spanish, a French dash and a sprinkle of Portuguese and Caribbean influence in Mexican cooking! One of the more delicious aspects of your life in Mexico will be your gastronomic exploration of the country. From the meat dishes of Northern Mexico to the seafood in coastal areas, the taste of your Mexican adventure will linger for a long time.

Explore the country on weekends and school breaks. The tranquillity of rural Mexico, buzz of the big cities, the steaming jungles, spectacular beaches, eerie deserts, snow-tipped volcanoes – this country has it all. There is also much to learn and absorb from the country’s history. Many of Mexico’s famous monuments date back to the pre-Hispanic civilisations. The Mayan temple ruins and the forbidding pyramids will leave you marvelling at the ingenuity of our ancestors.

Educating Abroad Quick Tip: If you are living and working in one of the bigger cities, traffic jams will be a not-so-endearing feature of your daily life.

Places to Visit Whilst Teaching In Mexico

Cabo Pulmo

international-english-teacher-snorkelling-in-cabo-pulma-mexico-clear-deep-water-and-big-bright-tropical-fish
One of the best places to in the world to snorkel - Cabo Pulma

One of the largest protected marine reserves in the world and the oldest living coral reef in North America is where you dive into a lifelong relationship with astounding sea creatures, including sea lions, bull sharks, and hammerhead sharks, whale sharks and schools of triggerfish.

Oaxaca City

Disabled-english-teachers-in-oaxaca-with-a-multi-coloured-sign-and-a-church-in-the background
The beautifully quaint Oaxaca - Mexico

Located in the south, Oaxaca City captures the spirit of vibrant, colourful Mexico. Historical buildings from the pre-Hispanic and colonial-era vie for attention with the city’s magical fiestas, exquisite handicrafts and busy markets.

Chichén Itzá

Enjoy the immersion into Mayan history as you take in the magnificence of the El Castillo pyramid, Sacred Cenote, Wall of Skulls, Temple of the Warriors and El Caracol.

Volcán Paricutín

a-pair-of-english-teachers-have-an-arial-view-of-a-volcano-with-green-jungle-around-it
A true sight at mother nature still working her magic

Among the earth’s youngest volcanoes, the Paricutin made a spectacular appearance when it blasted its way out from the cornfield of a local farmer Dionisio Pulido in 1943. Climb or ride to its peak and enjoy the fact that you are standing atop an ancient geological marvel that decided to make its appearance in the modern era.

Teachers opinions on Teaching English In Mexico

Mexico As A Place To Teach English: Our Final Thoughts

Mexico is an easy destination to move to, in terms of job availability and the ease of obtaining a work visa. Though you can have a comfortable life in the country, there is no getting away from the fact that the salaries are on the lower side compared to other teach abroad locations. But you must remember that while you teach English in Mexico it will not make you rich financially BUT it will definitely enrich your life.

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies.

Sign in

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Job Quick Search

Cart

Cart