Job Discussion Forums

michelle ashley · Joined: 28 Jun 2003 Posts: 22

I�m not too clear on the question - " who gives contracts? "

Let me just tell you about my experience with EBC. I can only speak for them because I don�t have any info on how the other schools arrange their job help.

A week before graduation EBC contacted around 75 language companies and they were sent our resumes. On the last week of the course some of us were already being called in for interviews by the contacts of EBC.

Some of us started working as early as the Monday or Tuesday of the first week after we finished the course. That�s real fast because the course ended Friday at 6 pm, ok, later because we had our farewell party and we didn�t get home till 4 am the next day, Saturday!

Depending on your work status (EU or non-EU), companies will offer a contract. The company giving you a contract is independent of EBC because EBC only puts you in contact with all these companies, what you agree with them is your decision.

EBC had many good points but I feel the greatest advantage they had was their ability to give their graduates a big choice of job opportunities. Remember there are good and bad language companies, so be careful.

Oh by the way, if you are not happy with any of the language schools they have on their list, tell them at EBC because they strike them off the list, in a way that protects all future TEFL grads.

Good luck!

gsbcn08080 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 73

ok thanks. I thought EBC arranged all the working papers for you. So I assume that if you are American you work without contracts and if you are European with a contract. Do you know if there's a company like this in Barcelona?

michelle ashley · Joined: 28 Jun 2003 Posts: 22

I might have some "good" news for you. I called EBC (you see I�m American as well) and Jim told me that they can show you how to apply for your working papers. He mentioned an ex-grad from one of their courses of last year who is actually doing his work papers.

Sorry can�t help you with the company in Barcelona, call or email EBC. Ask for their school manager, Jim Ross, he�s a real nice guy, I�m sure he can help you more.

Good luck!

Vanessa · Posted: Sun Feb 29, 2004 3:47 pm Post subject:

Thank you so much for your feedback. I really appreciate you answering my questions. I think that I will be in Madrid in September taking my TEFL course. The job info is interesting, I'm planning on coming back to the states and doing my student teaching after I get my certification- and then joining the peace corps...but it's still nice to know that if, after all that, I want to teach abroad I have some help in finding work.

As far as housing is concerned, I looked at some of the options that they recommended. What did you end up doing while you were there? I'm thinking of trying to get accommodations with EASO while I'm there. Have you heard anything about it?

Thanks.

michelle ashley · Joined: 28 Jun 2003 Posts: 22

The Peace Corps, wow! It always seemed very interesting but I guess it takes a special type of person to make a go of it. Good luck!

About the housing company you mentioned , sorry don�t know them.

About my housing accomodations for the course, well, I dropped by the EBC office on the last week of the course before mine and I was just lucky to bump into one of their Spanish strudents doing the teaching practice classes with the TEFL students and I got a room in her apartment for the 4 weeks I was doing my course.

I�ve moved since then and I now share an apartment with other English teachers. Ask the school you plan to go to for referrals because if it works like EBC, some of the Spanish people attending the teaching practice sessions offer rooms in their apartments for at least the 4 weeks while you�re attending the course.

Sorry couldn�t be of too much help! Sad

michelle

Eric Paice · Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 15

Hi Vanesa,

Regarding your question about EASO.

They are student hostels. There's a few of them in central Madrid. They are pretty well run and clean. A friend of mine (who has since gone back stateside) stayed there for a couiple of weeks in-between apartments.

He said it was OK but it was a bit too MTV for him. He further clarified by saying that most of the residents are university students and therefore prone to partying the night away.

Eric