Job Discussion Forums

[Smige]

Hello,

First post here. I am a UK resident and was planning on entering the world of TEFL this year. I received an offer for a job at Open English Academy, Sant Feliu de Guixols. I'd read some negative comments about it on this forum, but it seemed like a great job, and in a lovely location, so I accepted. I signed the contract, booked my flights and started taking Spanish classes so I could mix with the locals.

I was due to fly to Spain on 21st September. It occurred to me that I may need totake out travel insurance - whilst medical insurance was offered with the job, it did not seem to offer repatriation in the event of emergency. Encouraged by my parents, I set about getting insurance and emailed my employer, Kim Antiss, with some basic questions about it.

She took offence to this, assuming I was somehow insulting the Spanish health service.

Incredibly, this cost me my job:MOD EDIT

I am posting about this for two reasons: firstly to warn all other TEFL teachers not to apply for work here, and secondly to ask for advice as to what to do in this situation. I am in a complete state of shock.

[bdbarnett1]

Her answer should have been short and sweet - "Get some if that makes you feel better."

Why would she need to inform the "Spanish partners" of your question, much less consult them?

Something else is going on here - I think you're lucky to have found out now.

[Nicky_McG]

My guess is that they didn't need you any longer and this was just an easier way to do it. Of course, you don't actually need travel insurance if you're on the Spanish social security system.

I'd look upon this a a bullet having been dodged.

[Smige]

Is this typical if the TEFL industry, or of TEFL schools in Spain? This is my second bad experience: earlier this year I was offered a job at another Spanish school, given a deadline of Saturday that week, then tolf on the Friday I had taken too long so they had given the position to another candidate. There seems to be no regard for professionalism at all.

Any legal advice? I'd like to get my plane fare back.

Edit: I'm not sure why the link to my tweet has been removed. My Twitter handle is @Smige if you'd like to read the emails.

[spiral78]

There is a lot of competition on the job market in Spain and other desirable European destinations. Chances of being hired are greater if you are there on the ground, interviewing in person. This is very possibly what happened in this case - a good candidate walked in the door, so why take a chance on someone sight-unseen?

[Nicky_McG]

[spiral78]

[Smige]

[bdbarnett1]

[Nicky_McG]

[Smige]

Given what I'm going through right now, it would be nice to have been cut a bit of slack. Criticising me for apparently breaking some unclear forum rule seemed rather petulant in the circumstances. I feel utterly helpless and alone and could really do with some support.

Thank you all for your advice, I do appreciate it.

[Nicky_McG]

[Ruaridh321]

[Nicky_McG]

[spiral78]

In my long-term experience, it's very often the dodgier European employers who will hire someone from abroad sight-unseen anyway.

Barring those who need teachers with specialist qualifications or schools located in very rural regions, that is.

There are often very good reasons the local teachers aren't filling these positions.

OP, forget legal recourse (you don't really have any) - what would you get, anyway? Your job with the dodgy school back?

Just use your flight tickets to go to Spain and apply in person to other schools. You could be sending out your CV in advance, and possibly you'd even get lucky enough to line up an interview or two in advance. Don't be discouraged if schools don't reply to your CV/covering letter - just go there in person when you arrive anyway. You're likely to find something.

Are you TEFL certified, by the way?