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Teaching in Mexico

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Teaching in Mexico

The time of my life
Volunteer Sarah Daly writes...

'I experienced such amazing things during my gap year in Mexico that it’s hard to put the experience into words.

Sarah's pupils

I taught English for three months in the village of Ixtlahahuaey on the Pacific coast of Mexico. It was easily the most challenging yet enjoyable three months of my life so far. I had a fantastic time! I stayed with a family and another volunteer, and together we made up the only English-speaking pair in the entire village! We taught at the little school for four or five hours every day, mainly English, to a group of about 30 children: mostly boys but also some lovely, much quieter girls. Our Spanish wasn’t that impressive, so at first it was very difficult to communicate, but soon enough we got to grips with the language, and indeed that has become one of the aspects of the trip I’m most proud of - being able to communicate in Spanish!

Sounds a bit daunting, doesn’t it? Living with a family that doesn’t speak English, staying with a person you’ve only just met, whilst being expected to teach thirty children a new language, when you don’t even speak theirs! Before I left, and for the first week or so when I arrived, I did feel apprehensive. But it’s amazing how quickly you adjust and apply yourself to the situations that you’re in. There were times when I would think, ‘Wow, I’m actually doing this!’ and the sense of achievement inspired me to continue.

I absolutely loved the teaching. Although I was nervous, after a few days I got the hang of it! The worst part is walking in and getting ready in front of the blackboard, whilst a group of curious eyes just stares silently at you. But once you say the first sentence, and you realise they’re actually listening, then the first hand goes up and you realise that they may be interested as well, then all the fear vanishes and all that matters is trying your best to make them understand and achieve their potential.

We chose to teach as a pair, as we found that this was the most effective way to use our whole hour well, whilst still giving the kids the attention they deserved. It is this aspect of personal attention (which - through no fault of their own - Mexican schools do not provide), which makes me value organisations like Outreach International and recognise that their projects are very worthwhile.

It wasn’t only the teaching that I found exciting. Just living in such a vibrant country was an amazing experience. I loved the Mexican way of life: everything from the food to the constant stream of fiestas, from the weekend trips on horseback to the deserted local beach to eating lobsters washed down with Coronas...
Sarah in the classroom

The help that Suzanne (the Outreach International co-ordinator) provided ensured we made the most of our trip; she encouraged us to travel and recommended the best ways to go about it. The Outreach excursions were also an important aspect of such a brilliant time; they were a great way to meet the other volunteers who were on different placements. I enjoyed both the whale watching and the canopy touring thoroughly, and think it’s great that they were incorporated into the trip, as I’m not sure if I would have found the time to organise them myself.

Over all, I had a fantastic time. I was challenged and thrilled and surprised in almost everything I did, and I would like to thank Outreach International for giving me the opportunity to discover the remarkable country that is Mexico and to meet such amazing people.'