Job Discussion Forums

elright1 · Joined: 25 Sep 2012 Posts: 2

Hi,

First post in this forum...

Several people involved in the English teaching industry in Spain have told me generally positive things about the current state of the industry and job prospects.

Some of them arguably have a vested interest in what they have told me (I am considering moving to Spain next year, taking a CELTA course and then searching for 2013-14 jobs), so I would be grateful if others could respond to these points and advise whether they are accurate. Here is a summary of what I've been told:

- Despite Spain's economic woes, the English teaching sector is doing very well, although some regions where schools have relied on business classes (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao for example) have noticed the effects of a reduction in some companies' training budgets.

- In other parts of the country (where main clients are children, young people and adults) business is still very strong as parents are reluctant to cut back on their kids� education and young adults realise they won�t get a job straight away so they take up English to boost their CVs.

- However, the recession meant that last year many English teachers stayed put in the schools where they were working, instead of moving around, meaning fewer job opportunities were being advertised.

- Many people in Ireland and the UK are retraining, and trying their hand at English teaching in Spain, meaning demand for teaching jobs is relatively high.

- People generally find English teaching work in June for the summer months and find work in about September for the following academic year.

- Many people who complete a four-week CELTA course in Barcelona are then able to go on and find English teaching work.

I would appreciate any feedback from people in the know about whether the above points are accurate. (As an aside I have an EU passport, am a native English speaker, have a reasonable level of conversational Spanish, and have some teaching experience but not in English teaching.)

Muchas gracias!

jonniboy

Mostly that's spot on but I just wanted to comment on these parts...

elright1 · Joined: 25 Sep 2012 Posts: 2

Thanks for the tips, Jonniboy.

Grimace420 · Joined: 24 Sep 2011 Posts: 88 Location: Madriz

Pretty much forget finding work in July and August, especially as a newbie in Spain. There are summer camps and maybe a few private classes, but nothing stable. Try to time your arrival on the job market for around mid September as jonniboy said.

jamesart9 · Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 30

How is the new term? What about demand for privates?
I plan to go to Madrid in January. I hope to pick up some work from a school or agency and get some privates. I only need about 25hours maximum as I earn money from other things as well (all legal!).

I had to stay in the UK for the autumn due to other work.
Anyone? Thanks.

SirKirby · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Barcelona, Spain

In Barcelona and the surrounding towns, my impression (coming from different sources) is lots of private classes (more than ever, I'd say); small schools so badly hit in a few cases that they've closed; medium to large schools down slightly in terms of numbers but only really badly affected over in-company classes, where I understand numbers are well down...

The sort of scenario you'd expect really, in a country where 25% are unemployed.

jamesart9 · Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 30

Ok that's interesting, thanks.
I think for privates Madrid is probably my best bet?
I love surfing though, Sevilla would be good as it is nearer the Atlantic.
Does anyone know about privates in Sevilla? I did my CELTA there, possibly it is a bit small to find enough private work?
I don't want to do the north coast again, I want more sun! lol.
James.

SirKirby · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Barcelona, Spain

Never fix on a place and say "I want to work THERE!". Be prepared to go where the jobs are, especially if you're a newbie, either to the country or to the profession. That's especially important now, in the middle of a recession. Be mobile!

jamesart9 · Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 30

Sure that is why I think Madrid is probably the best shot? I prefer to be near the sea but these are hard times.

SirKirby · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Barcelona, Spain

I'd say your "best shot" is not (necessarily) Madrid but anywhere where anyone will actually offer you a job. Here in Barcelona, people turn down jobs 20-40km outside of the city as they say they "only" want to be in Barcelona...

But if someone is offering you a job in (say) Terrassa, not Barcelona, or Guadalajara, not Madrid, take it!

Once you've been in a job in a less popular place for a year, you can always start to look for something in a more desirable location (Barcelona, Madrid...) for the following year.