This is an internet based Canadian Center review. Detailed information about Canadian Center in Mexico is needed by teachers around the world. Canadian Center is a language institute in Mexico and it’s in need of ratings. Ratings and comments will help other teachers learn more about Canadian Center. If someone was interested in teaching in Mexico, would this school be a good place to start? Is Canadian Center a great place to work or is it in need of improvement?
Name of School: Canadian Center
| City: | Country: |
| Chiapas | Mexico |
| Admin Contact: | Admin Contact Email: |
| Type: | Site Admin Notes: |
| language institute |
Overall Quick Rating: 
(24 votes, average: 2.71 out of 5)
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Owner/Director is overly strict about minor infractions committed by the teacher`s such as leaving the air conditioniing unit on, spending ten minutes more on an exercise, not turning the lights off. She will upbraid you in front of your peers and staff. There is extremely high turnover of staff with no current foreigner (5 total)teaching there before last September.
This is a great place to learn how to teach, or if you think you know how, to practice. Apparently, other teachers hate it. If you work at the Canadian Centre you need to understand that, like alot of places, you’re going to have to work. How hard is that?
This is a school in which the director of the school never assumes any responsibility for anything bad that happens at the school. Nothing is ever her fault, everything is everyone elses fault.
If you prefer to teach in a classroom that is only 8 feet by 10 feet jampacked with 23 students this is your ideal place to teach. For anyone with any sense of proper schooling would realize, this is not correct educational procedure. The computer lab is a mess, with each of a dozen computers with different programs, some of which work, others do not. There is no effort by staff to earmark the working programs so for each teacher, there is a learning process by which he/she learns what each computer contains. Much class time is wasted by students struggling to find the programs that they need to do their exercises or they have to jump over to another exercise that is compatible to their inclass work.
CD players are hopelessly broken and not taken out of circulation. Again, new teacher recruits waste valuable class time trying to get the av equipment to work when the staff, intimidated by an extremely stern owner/director fail to maintain the equipment.
There were 5 foreign teachers when I started teaching there. I came in January, half way through the year contract along with another foreign teacher. Of the older 3 teachers, only 1 had been there at the start of the academic year in September.
The program is a highly regimented one. There are 22 educational sources of material, all of which must be used in each course. We`re talking DVDs, grammar lessons, CDs, audiotapes, chapbooks, textbooks of every kind, etc. etc. I spent the time counting them. Yes, intimidating. I had 5 textbooks alone for a single class.
As far as language school is concerned this is one with an incredibly low pay of 7,800 pesos per month for 34 hours of teaching. In contrast, here in Mexico city, International House pays 9,500 pesos for 20 hours of instruction and even in Merida, Yucatan which has a cost of living comparable to Tuxtla Gutierrez, the pay is 6,500 for 20 hours of work.
As part of the terms of employment, the director insists that you stay at an apartment of her choosing near the school which costs 2,600 pesos per month, a high rent for Tuxtla.
I concur with the views expressed by Mr. Aronson. He cites all of the key factors that make Canadian Center a third-rate school: inept management, overcrowded classrooms, antiquated and dilapidated audio equipment, an overly complicated and cumbersome curriculum, and low pay. His posting is one hundred percent accurate.
Re: Ethel Muth,
Hi Ethel,I was your student at Canadian Center. I just want to tell you that CC is not as good as it used to be. Now they crowded the classroom with 20-25 students.
I would like to hear news about you and Maria…
love, Paola
I’ve been working at the Canadian Center for one year so far, and about to renew contract. I totally agree with Ethel’s comment because it is necessary to understand that when you have to work you have to. Work environment has always been nice (between secretaries, teachers, the principal included). Concerning the comment about computers I won’t deny that those aren’t the newest ones on the market but it is a service provide within the capacities of the school and I’m almost a 100% sure that it is the only school that provides this service. (Please do remember that Mexico is not a 1st world country).
Concerning teaching all material is provided and you have detailed information on what to use, when and how you just have to follow it.
Pay it is what was mentioned by aronson but you don’t teach 34 hours (I might teach you some math) and you are never forced to live in that apartment, it is always a suggestion based on the fact that its close to work and its not so expensive. I can say that never lived in those apartments.
But it is important to know that there are always to versions of a story right? it just depends on how you want to see it.
And if anyone wants to come to this school I can asure you that you won’t regret at all!
I feel that it is important to try to be as objective as possible when writing these reviews, so when ‘Marie’ wrote that she is renewing her contract, it is misleading. She is a close family member of the director. I have recently returned home from teaching at Canadian Center, and this is what I have to say about the establishment and the experience…
The students are great! The people in Tuxtla are very hospitable, but Canadian Center is a very difficult place to work.
Much of what ‘Aronson’ says is correct. First, the schedule looks similar to this:
7-9 (or) 9-11 am and 2 classes at night: 5-7 and 7-9pm Mon-Fri. (that’s 6 hours 5 days a week = 30 hours), and you will have a class on Sat. from 9-1(4 more hours), which brings that total hours to: 34 hours (Marie isn’t intimate with this schedule as she is not a full time English Teacher). The hours don’t include; time to plan your classes, grade tests, or the time-consuming task of filling out evaluations on all students every two months. You will have very little time to do anything else besides teach.
The director expressed to me that the teachers who are unhappy with not being able to experience and explore because of the demanding schedule and low pay are not dedicated to the job, and are there for the wrong reasons. So, if you are looking for a place to work that affords you personal time to learn the language, experience the culture, and possibly site-see, then Canadian Center would not be an ideal fit for you.
In addition, Canadian Center even has a bad reputation in Tuxtla because of how they treat their instructors. You can expect to be verbally and mentally demeaned for the smallest infraction. And as stated in other reviews, Canadian Center is never in the fault for any challenges that may arise. There is no team at Canadian Center, you’ll be treated as the help, and not as a professional. There is little or no support from the administration. There is a persistent feeling that someone is looking over your shoulder. Much of the staff feels the air of intimidation passed down from the director.
The pay is very low; in fact, you are barely paid enough to get by. Your Visa will only allow you to work at Canadian Center; you cannot take on other jobs to make more money. Not that you would have any time to do that anyway. . .
The apartment that they set you up with is not a requirement, as Marie pointed out. It is more expensive, but it is close to work, safe, and has hot water.
All in all, the students are the sweetest people on the planet. And despite the long hours, and low pay Canadian Center would be a workable place if it weren’t for the harsh treatment that one receives there.
There’s a lot of truth in these reviews except those from the owner’s relatives. Canadian Center students are great and well motivated and the people of Chiapas are generally gentile and friendly.
As for teaching there, one should avoid it especially if you are an American. The owner scapegoats foreigners for any and all problems, bad mouths them to the Mexican teachers behind their backs and generally wishes she didn’t have to deal with them but has to because she advertises foreign teachers.
The most unprofessional aspects of this school is overcrowded classrooms the owner’s scolding of teachers in front of students, their parents and other teachers. She has no control over her emotional rages which can last up to 30 or 40 minutes. Students, secretaries and other teachers are ordered to spy on you and you are called before the owner for a tongue lashing for even minor offenses. It’s not a pleasant place at all for foreign teachers to work and I’ve never heard of one renewing their contract or coming to the owners defense.
I don’t recall anyone with the name “Lulu” and “Jeff” working for the Canadian Center at all, unless our schedules did not match and I must correct you.. I’m from Quebec city I suppose you must be talking about Maria Luisa who is the director’s relative; and sure she works in administration. As in everything you can see a glass half full or half empty…a great part of it has to do a lot with your own perception or doings.I only mentioned my own experience which has been good so far. Those, who come here are always given foreign teachers references to contact which I did before coming, those teachers had also good things to say.. that means something.
I have perceived a very clear intention to harm the image of the Canadian Center and I don’t think that’s fair, because I have checked other schools in town and have received some offers, but I decided to continue here till August when will be going home.Yet you are entitled to express your opinions. Please read the following notice – this teacher worked for the Canadian Center some time ago, so I was told –
“Ethel Muth on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 10:58 pm… This is a great place to learn how to teach, or if you think you know how, to practice. Apparently, other teachers hate it. If you work at the Canadian Centre you need to understand that, like alot of places, you’re going to have to work. How hard is that?”
My name is Marie and I am from Quebec, Canada. Anybody who might need information about the Canadian Center may contact me: bellemarie_2005@yahoo.com I have worked for over one year at the Canadian Center and never heard of Lulu or Jeff , unless our schedules did not match; however from your comments I conclude that you must be talking about Maria Luisa (not me) ,who is related to the Principal and performs office tasks. I understand everyone is entitled to have their own opinion and a glass can bee seen half empty or half full. I have checked a few schools in this Town and received some offers but for me staying at the Canadian Center until the end of my contract has worked better. It is the most prestigious English school in Town as proof of hard work by the office and academic staff. I do not mean to offend anyone, but share my own experience, and will conclude by quoting Ethel Muth’s comments at the beginning of this page. I understand that Ethel worked at the Canadian Center sometime ago. “If you work at the Canadian Centre you need to understand that, like alot of places, you’re going to have to work. How hard is that?”.
I agree with Ethel; at the Canadian Center either you learn how to teach or practice if you already know how to. Goals are already set and with the proper WORK and discipline those goals are met. This English school is the most prestigious one in the city – Tuxtla. Some of the above descriptions of the school are true, but are within the upper local standards.
I agree with Ethel ; at the Canadian Center either you learn how to teach or practice if you already know how to. Goals are already set and with the proper WORK and discipline those goals are met. This English school is the most prestigious one in the city – Tuxtla. Some of the above descriptions of the school are true, but are within the upper local standards.
Marie…….I don’t know who THE HELL you think you are but girl….you are SOOOOOOOO wrong sweetie!!!!!! For your information, this place is like hell on earth! I’d have you to know that we are currently employed at the freakin’ Canadian Center and are extremely and utterly displeased with your FALSE and atrociously inaccurate depiction of this hole in the wall English school!!!
First of all HONEY…..I doubt that you’ve EVER worked here with your lying behind. Second of all, I’m PRETTY sure that you ARE a freakin’ relative of that waddling penguin,leggings and sneakers wearing, wimp of a director that doesn’t know WHAT the HELL is going on! AND third of all SUGAR……you need to shut the hell up cuz you don’t have the foggiest idea of WHAT you are talking about!!!!
FINALLY…..let me let you know that as far as we’re concerned, this is the worst place in the ENTIRE human universe that we’ve ever…EVER taught at! For the amount of hours that we have to work and all of that unecessary and routine BULLSHIT that we have to put up with….it IS NOT worth that meagre 60 pesos and hour!!! Futhermore, having to deal with constant foolishness like late slips and outdated material and equipment is beyond ridiculous, time consuming and a waste of precious time! Hey….we only have one life to live!!! I’d like to know who’s that IMBICILISTIC IMBLICILE that actually sat down and took time out of God’s great gift of a day to create such toxic,foolish and time wasting dribble.
AND MARIE, if that IS your real name…..or should WE address you as MARIA LUISA….COULD YOU TELL US, WHAT IS “DYNAMISM”?!? HUH? Never in our lives have we EVER heard of that term!! And PLEASE don’t tell us that it is hopping around a classroom with TIGHTS!!!!!jajaja
Canadian Center sucks!!…. it is not a good place at all for foreign teachers nor mexicans!!!… low payment for too many duties, especially for native teachers (who most of them are not qualified English teachers, but just native speakers). classrooms, materials, resources and all kind of equipment are such a shame!! they are in poor conditions.
Marie…….I don’t know who THE HELL you think you are but girl….you are SOOOOOOOO wrong sweetie!!!!!! For your information, this place is like hell on earth! I’d have you to know that we are currently employed at the freakin’ Canadian Center and are extremely and utterly displeased with your FALSE and atrociously inaccurate depiction of this hole in the wall English school!!!
First of all HONEY…..I doubt that you’ve EVER worked here with your lying behind. Second of all, I’m PRETTY sure that you ARE a freakin’ relative of that waddling, leggings and sneakerswimp of a director that doesn’t know WHAT the HELL is going on! AND third of all SUGAR……you need to shut the hell up cuz you don’t have the foggiest idea of WHAT you are talking about!!!!
FINALLY…..let me let you know that as far as we’re concerned, this is the worst place in the ENTIRE human universe that we’ve ever…EVER taught at! For the amount of hours that we have to work and all of that unecessary and routine BULLSHIT that we have to put up with….it IS NOT worth that meagre 60 pesos and hour!!! Futhermore, having to deal with constant foolishness like late slips and outdated material and equipment is beyond ridiculous, time consuming and a waste of precious time! Hey….we only have one life to live!!! I’d like to know who’s that IMBICILISTIC IMBLICILE that actually sat down and took time out of God’s great gift of a day to create such toxic,foolish and time wasting dribble.
AND MARIE, if that IS your real name…..or should WE address you as MARIA LUISA….COULD YOU TELL US, WHAT IS “DYNAMISM”?!? HUH? Never in our lives have we EVER heard of that term!! And PLEASE don’t tell us that it is hopping around a classroom with TIGHTS!!!!!jajaja
I used to be a student at Canadian Center. I entered when I was 10 years old (American Shine 3) and finished when I was 11. It is the best school of the town. Believe me. I passed an exam more difficult than the TOEFL…the CAE…Certificate of Advance English. Canadian center is the best place to learn. The second…CLE: Centro de Lenguas Europeas. Yeap. Don´t use criticism.
This was one of my worst teaching jobs. Overcrowded classrooms, equipment that did not work, low pay for too many hours, plus a very autocratic teacher.
I’ve been following all of these comments for a while and I’ve tried to stay out of the fray, but I think that some people have ulterior motives and are trying to damage the prestige of Canadian Center and obstruct the hiring process of foreign teachers.
I’ve worked in the administrative area for over 11 years at Canadian Center mostly doing the immigration permits for foreign teachers and there has never been, not even for a day a “John Anderson.” It’s very clear that someone is trying to affect the school and depriving foreign teachers from an opportunity to live and work in Tuxtla Gutierrez.
I think it is unwise to allow wholly fabricated comments to languish on your forum. This practice deprives your users of credible information.
Well, for what I’ve seen everyone likes to talk about me!! Finally here I am and I don’t know why the lack of knowledge that Maria (Mary, Marie, Masha or however it’s written) it’s such a popular name WORLDWIDE. And doesn’t only apply to me hahahaha this goes for everyone.
I don’t need to hide myself neither use other names so please stop with your annoying comments to everyone if it’s me. Well ask the other person or ask me. I can always send you my e-mail. Everyone who has ever worked at Canadian Center knows me just as I know them. So please “Darril, Perra & Celeste” If you want to bother me don’t be…. and use your real names because NEVER anyone with those names has ever worked there. BTW also include the real name of your Mexican/Latin friend from the comments, it’s easy to tell because of it’s JAJAJAJA when Native English Speakers never use that!!
And please don’t bother other people just because of me
PS. Thanks for talking & thinking about me hahaha.
Paulina`s comments are interesting in that she assumes that there are many people out there in the webworld who have nothing more to do than badmouth a school in Chiapas. Well, I`ve got news for you honey. I have taught at Centro Idoimaste de Sureste for a year and gave that school a 4.0 our of 5. Yours got a 1. I have taught university for 7 years stateside, and am currently teaching at two schools in the yucatan for my second year. I could not have asked for anything better. Your director is an ogre to work for and with. She is a tyrant on wheels. I don`t know what her beef with foreigners is, perhaps with her atrociously arrogant attitude for the 7 years that she lived in Canada she must have annoyed to no end each and every foreigner she met and their repulsion to her atrocious behaviour has soured her on her dealing with foreigners. If that be the case, she has a serious psychological problem. It`s called extreme ethnocentricism, or jingoism galore. Now that she has her little kingdom of a language school she can wreck revenge on all those gringoes who told her to her face how obnoxious she is, but here in MX she is able to work with the locals and they keep their mouths shut and roll their eyes behind her back.