Job Discussion Forums

[Mauricio Saenz]

Shawn:

Thanks for the detailed overview of what is like for you to teach English in Madrid. It was very helpful; I think I just need to start making up my mind on what city I want move to and if I want to work part or full time.

Do you find it worse to work at an academy rather than the other places you're working in? Was it harder to find a job there?

James:

I'm glad I found someone who is more or less on the same situation as me regarding being an artist. What kind of art do you do? When I say that Spain is an art-friendly place is just based on my experience of what I have seen compared to where I'm living at right now (South Texas). I lived in Valencia for a year and though it wasn't as big as Barcelona and Madrid there was quite a cultural movement there. Not to speak of these two bigger cities where I know there are a lot of galleries, museums and just many people who are creating art.

As an emerging artist who creates mainly installation and videoart, I desire to move to a city where I can find more opportunities to showcase my work, go to workshops, meet more artists and overall live in a place where I can develop myself in this profession. I have always wanted to move to Spain as I feel very comfortable with the culture, people, and everything overall despite the crisis they're going through. I can imagine London being a top city for art (though I've never been there) but like I told you I feel more identified with Spanish culture since my grandparents where Spaniards and really enjoyed my stay in Valencia when I attended college there for a masters.

I'll be glad to hear your perspective on the art movement in Madrid and how you're going about it and what you do.

Thanks again to both of you; your info was of great help..........

Saludos desde el sur de Texas.....

[pr455]

Mauricio,

I wouldn't say that it's bad working for an academy because there are some good ones out there. Most people will say that it's "bad" because many academies cannot give you a full schedule and you may end up working for two or three to make ends meet, literally, which can be exhausting with travel time. Your first year may be rough with spending time on public transportation, but it can get better each year thereafter.

The pay for many can also be quite low, ranging anywhere from 7� - 25� and hour, but the majority of them will be paying the average, about 13� - 15� an hour and people in 2003 were getting paid that, so as you can see, it hasn't gone up much. If you want an idea of what academies are paying, check out madridteacher. That website has an employment section. Remember that I am talking about Madrid and there are people out there who would disagree with me. Experiences are different in life.

If you have never taught before, I would say get some sort of certification, a CELTA if you can since that is more recognized throughout the world than a TEFL. It will make your CV stand out.

As far as finding a job in Madrid, it's pretty easy, as long as you are willing to work and make it happen. Yes, there are still academies that prefer only Brits, but they are getting to be less and less since many multinational companies have branches in the US.

Come with the attitude to work and everything else falls into place.

Shawn

[jamesart9]

Mauricio,
I do sculpture and flat art work.
I often work in metal but cannot here as its hard to find a workshop.
I havent been to Barcelona for a long time but Madrid has a lot going in the way of art and there will always be people to pay what you deserve.
The Reina Sofia is my favorite art museum.
Due to the unsociable hours I work, I have had no time to extend contacts with my art. Something I will do over xmas and January now.

I would say to you try to find a job that is part time and little split shifts.
Think about it, the first shift ends, you walk home etc. You've already commuted to get there in the morning. Then only 4 or 5 hours later you have to make the journey back or to another place. There is no feeling like in a 9 to 5 that the working day is ended and now you are free for the rest of the evening.

You said that you did a Masters in Valencia, did you do it in Fine Art?
I am interested in Masters in Spain. My Spanish however is not good enough at the moment.

James.

[Mauricio Saenz]

Shawn: I can already more or less imagine how working in different academies can be hassle but I'm willing to take the risk; as you say it can get better in the next years. As far as the salary, I'm also aware that it could be quite low to start with but it just seems that my wish to be over there is greater than these adversities. I think I've been a hardworker all my life so I'm not afraid of that; probably the only thing that keeps me doing so is the economical crisis in Spain yet, as you said, it should only take perseverance and the attitude to come to work.

I'm about to finish my TEFL certitification, do you think this will be an obstacle on not having a CELTA?

James: I see your point in the split shifts. It might come to be a setback in trying to make contacts and develop your artwork. The ideal, as you said, would be to get out of work at 5 so you could have time to do all work needed to be done to get yourself out there in the art movement.

I did my masters in fine arts in Valencia (or as they say in Producci�n Art�stica). It was good overall; I met really cool people and some of the teachers were great. It took me a little bit under a year to finish the classes and then a couple of months to write the thesis and do my final project. I'm also interested in taking some kind of curatorship course either in Madrid or Barcelona.

And I also love Museo Reina Sofia!!!

Thanks again guys!!!

[pr455]

Mauricio,

You will do fine with a TEFL. Many academies here require their teachers to have some sort of teaching qualifications and the TEFL does open doors. Make sure you have a copy of your original certificate with you and keep any papers you had to write to create a TEFL portfolio, just in case any academy should question the validity of your TEFL certificate.

So, there you have it in a nutshell. Make your dreams come true and if you have any other questions, just ask.

Shawn

[Mauricio Saenz]

Thanks Shawn................I will........

[devochka]

[pr455]

[devochka]

Thanks Shawn!