TESOL Chiapas | TESOL Mexico

The TESOL course in Mexico is in historic Chiapas, the southernmost state in the country. Chiapas is bordered by the states of Tabasco to the north, Veracruz to the northwest, and Oaxaca to the west. To the east Chiapas borders Guatemala, and to the south the Pacific Ocean.

Chiapa de Corzo, where the TESOL training centre is situated, is an often overlooked small attractive colonial town with an easy going, provincial air, according to the 2009 edition of the Mexico Lonely Planet. This sums up the little town, with an emphasis on overlooked; which is what probably makes Chiapa de Corzo so special.

There really is so much to do in the town and in the surrounding area, and hardly anyone knows about it. Chiapa de Corzo has quite a bit of day tourism during the high seasons, as many tour-bus companies have the town on their route, but local TESOL teachers and volunteers are quickly recognized as part of the community after having been seen more than two days in a row!

Situated on the banks of the Grijalva River, and at the mouth of the Sumidero Canyon, Chiapa has plenty to offer for short term, as well as longer term stays. The TESOL training centre in Chiapa is about 20 minutes away from the capital of the state of Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, which is where the closest major airport is located. Weekends can be easily taken up exploring the surrounding country side and other towns close by.

Just an hour and a half up the mountain you can get a break from the heat in the picturesque, colonial town of San Cristóbal. Not far fom San Cristobal is Comitán, with ruins and lakes that can be easily seen in a weekend. A longer trip, about seven hours from Chiapa, are the world renowned Mayan ruins of Palenque, an unforgettable experience. Day trips to waterfalls like El Chorreadero and El Chiflón, are also well worthwhile for TESOL course trainees.

Weeknights, and night life in general, tend to be fairly laid-back in Chiapa. There are a few cafes and bars in town that let you enjoy a nice relaxed atmosphere after a long day of teaching, but if malls, discos, big screen movie theaters, etc are more your thing, they're reached easily via a 20-minute hassle-free bus ride to Tuxtla Gutierrez. Realistically, night life isn't Chiapa's strong point, but culture is. Every single Chiapacorceño will sit down with you for hours and proudly talk about the traditional Feria de Enero, and all the other days commemorating saints, battles, the dead, etc. scattered throughout the year.

You can partake in many of the traditions and traditional handicrafts by enrolling in the free workshops that the Cultural Center, Casa Escuela de Tradiciones, has to offer.

Getting to the TESOL course in Mexico is easy, with direct flights to Tuxtla Gutierrez. If you are unable to find a reasonable flight directly to Tuxtla (the closest major city to Chiapa de Corzo), look for flights to Mexico City and from there it is another 1.5 hour flight. From Cancun, there are also direct flights to Tuxtla. If you enjoy taking your time traveling there are countless buses that arrive in Tuxtla.

You are welcome to take advantage of our free airport and bus station pick up in Tuxtla Gutierrez by paying your course fee in full prior to arrival.

The TESOL training center in Chiapa de Corzo is located two blocks from the main square, and within walking distance to all the homestays, cafes, restaurants, etc. At the center unlimited wireless internet is available to TESOL trainees, but there is only a limited number of computers, travelling with a laptop is helpful.

All photocopies are provided by the TESOL training center, as well as full access to our resource library. The resources include games, grammar books, grammar activity books, posters, flash cards, etc.

Benefits of our program include:

• Small class sizes of a maximum of 6 people, giving you customized, personal attention.
• Up to 12 hours of hands-on teaching practice for adults, adolescents and primary aged children; all the experience TESOL employers are looking for.
• One-to-one lesson feedback with your qualified teacher trainer.
• Exposure to authentic language learning environments and classroom scenarios from day one, and teaching experience within the first week.
• High quality certification that has allowed previous graduates to find work.

Included in the course fee in addition to tuition:

• Free collection from the airport and bus station on arrival if full payment is received prior to arrival.
• All support materials (handbooks, handouts etc.).
• You will be providing a service to the community and giving opportunity for native language access to local children.

The Mexico TESOL course training centers offer homestays with local families, all within walking distance of the TESOL training center. All homestays offer private rooms and bath, with maid service, but do not provide meals. You will be able to use the family kitchen to cook for yourself. You are also responsible for your own laundry.

All host families have all been pre-screened and interviewed. All the homestay facilities have been visited by TESOL training center staff and are regularly inspected. This may be your first experience with a homestay situation, but you can be sure that all our families are friendly and eager to make you feel at home.

Alternatively, if you are more comfortable in a hotel or a hostel during your TESOL course, we will arrange your stay there prior to your arrival. There are varying hostels and hotels in the area with varying prices.

Whether you chose a hotel or a friendly home stay you will be within walking distance of the institute and we are confident your stay will be pleasant.