Job Discussion Forums

JRJohn · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 175

Hi everyone. I am an ESL teacher with some experience. Right now I long to go to Spain or somewhere warm and interesting, e.g. some parts of Latin America. My last job was in Beijing, and I have a few thousand pounds saved up from that job. I thought my contract in China had been extended. I signed a new contract in March but suddenly they changed their minds, at the end of May and would not extend the residence permit. I had to change plans. I am infuriated.
Generally, China has treated me okay. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching there, and it has been easy. I enjoyed living in Beijing for a while. But I began to get sick and tired of the people who arranged this job, as they were my employers. I also caught myself complaining of their being too many Beijingers (I never used to do that). Life there seems more and more inconvenient.
Suddenly, I get back to the U.K. and I dream of Spain, Spain, Spain! I want a bit of fun basically. I studied Spanish and speak it fluently. I speak a bit of Chinese, but I can do so much in Spanish. I think part of it is due to me being gay. I am used to working abroad. And I am fed up of being in places which are gay
un-friendly if you know what I mean. Beijing has some gay pubs but it has been difficult.
I have lived in Spain, especially as a student. The gay scene there was good and had a positive effect on my wellbeing. I made friends with Spanish and Latin American friends there. Outside of work, life was amazing.
But work? I taught in a language school for a few months. Then I left. The idea was that we were to teach in the evenings and do one hour of lesson prep in the mornings. But the problem was the new boss. He let was very vague. Lesson preparation was allowed to go on all day, so it was like being in an Asian sweatshop. Teachers became stressed and angry. The situation for a number of us was untenable. The school owners were concerned.
What should I do? I know that in Spain things can go bad, and then I'd have to find more work. On the other hand, I don't have to pay 5 00 pounds for a flight, and then another 500 pounds for the very detailed medical I would have to get before going to China.

Thoughtful and considerate comments would be appreciated. I decide to post on this forum because the Spain forum is usually so quiet.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

If Spain is all you've been dreaming about, then go.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Recession ? How easy will it be to find work ? The Eurozone is on the edge of implosion.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 7:33 am Post subject:

People have been saying that since its inception. Yet in that time, sterling, the dollar, even the mighty ruble, have had their fair share of turbulence...

OP, go to Spain, if that is the dream. The Euro will still be legal currency by the time you finish up there.

twowheel · Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 753

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

Well, fluent in Spanish.
Good food. I like cooking and eating tapas.
Interesting history with the Arab influence.
Why not try it? Fluency in Spanish can help.

Going to the Prado to see works by Goya sounds good to me.

I am sure life in east Asia can lack a joy to life.
But Spain has something.

I have never been but wondered about it as I lived in Morocco.

Gamajorba · Joined: 03 May 2015 Posts: 357

I know at least 3 people I studied CELTA with who have gone out to Spain, and are currently doing very well for themselves out there. So, why not go for it!

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

Go for it! What is the worst that can happen? You are a Brit so can work there legally and if the poop hits the fan, you can fly home for £30! Bad jobs exist everywhere, so just be thorough in your research and hope for a bit of luck.

At some point I see myself ending up in Spain - not for the money (obviously) but for the lifestyle.

Lack · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 252

Vaya con tu corazon. Si tu quieres Espana, entonces vaya a Espana!

Sorry, my Spanish is bad. Anyway, do what your heart says to do. In my own experience, if you go somewhere you don't really want to be you will just end up thinking about where you DO want to be.

JRJohn · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 175

Your Spanish is not too bad. I think those were grammatically correct sentences.

Nicky_McG · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 190

Madrid is very gay-friendly and one of my friends has easily found work there. As did I a few years ago. If you can't find a job in Madrid there is something seriously wrong (no pressure then!)

PierogiMonster · Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Posts: 148

As a Brit living in Madrid for the past two years, I'd repeat the general sentiments.

I've lived and worked in places that started fine and then wore thin. Time to leave when you start griping about the locals and the culture, right? I especially wanted a country where the weather and the people are warm and with a culture and language I could get on with easily (ie European). The only question was Spain or Hispanic America (if that's a region?).

Sure, it's not the best money but - as every fule kno - plenty of EFL work going these days as muchos espanoles having to upskill and learn the lingo these days due to 'el crisis'.

Very happy with my decision to come to Spain and the only thing I might change is me and my Spanish lady emigrating to S America in a year or two.