Teach English as a Language Assistant in Mexico

For more general information on posts across Latin America please see English Language Assistant placements in Latin America.

Am I eligible for a placement in Mexico?

To be a Language Assistant in Mexico, you must:

• fulfil the general eligibility criteria 
• hold a UK, Irish or EU passport
• have B1-level Spanish
• be aged 30 or under at the start of your post

When will I start my placement?

Posts in Mexico will run from early September 2023 until late June 2024.  

Assistants will be advised to arrive in Mexico around the last week to attend an induction course hosted by SEP and British Council Mexico. Attendance is a requirement so that SEP can set up Assistants with bank accounts etc. Placements will then begin the following week.

Will there be an induction course?

Successful applicants will be invited to our induction event either online or in person over the summer which will cover important pre-departure information. The dates of the induction held by our partners in Mexico takes place late August – exact dates will be confirmed by SEP during the departure process. 

How many hours will I work per week?

Language assistants in Mexico can expect to work approximately 14 hours per week. Some institutions are able to offer additional hours if requested. 

Please be aware that the number of hours and your specific timetable and working pattern can vary depending on the region and institution that you are allocated to.  

How many posts are available in Mexico?

Every year there are approximately 22 posts available in Mexico. Candidates may be placed on a waiting list as places are extremely competitive. 

What type of institution will I be working in?

All placements will be in universities and upper secondary schools where your pupils will likely be young adults or teenagers. 

How much will I be paid?

The monthly allowance has usually been around MXN $8,000. Areas such as Mexico City, Cancun, La Paz, Bacalar and Cozumel have a slightly higher cost of living, and assistants in these areas may find they will need to supplement this monthly allowance to maintain a comfortable standard of living.

Please note that our overseas partners and employing institutions are ultimately responsible for setting the salary of language assistants and this amount should, therefore, be treated as indicative and may be subject to change.

If you apply to Mexico please be aware that previous assistants have experienced delays when receiving their monthly pay. As a precaution, if you name Mexico as a preference you should ensure that you have access to alternative funds throughout the year. 

Will I need a visa?

Yes, Assistants going Mexico will have to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa which they will exchange once they are in Mexico for a Temporary Resident Card. This will be valid for one year. 

Our educational partners in Mexico, SEP, will provide you with a letter in order to do this and you will then be informedof the visa appointment booking process. Visa applications are submitted online followed by a physical appointment slot at the consulate in London. All applicants must be able to apply from the London consulate. No other embassy is eligible. You will also need to be in the UK at least two weeks prior to departure in order to collect your visa from the London consulate or have it posted back to you. 

At this stage, applicants should check the expiry date in their passport and ensure that your passport will not require renewal until at least six months after you will return to the UK.  If necessary, we strongly recommend that you apply for a new passport immediately or you risk delaying your visa process.  

You will be required to provide a copy of your birth certificate and a colour copy of the photo page of your passport in order to begin visa proceedings. Please ensure that you have these prepared and will be able to provide this quickly when requested in April/May time.

Please note that visa requirements can change at short notice, and that we cannot be held responsible for any changes to the visa process.

What holidays will I have?

In Mexico the academic calendar runs from August to July. Typically, assistants can expect to receive the same school and national holidays as their institution.  

Holidays often vary by region and sometimes institution, however as an indication, it is likely that you may receive: 

• the last two weeks of December 
• a break during Easter.

Please note that these dates are not confirmed, but have been provided to help give you an idea of what the academic calendar may look like. Your institution will give you full details of your term dates when you begin your post.  

You may also wish to view this calendar of national holidays in Mexico as an indication.

Where can I go?

The location of the posts in Mexico vary from year to year, depending on the needs of the host institutions and on a range of other factors. Therefore, it is not possible for applicants to select specific locations within Mexico.

If you are currently working as an English Language Assistant in Mexico, you can apply for a consecutive year. For more information and to find out how to apply, please see our returning applicants guidance page.