Job Discussion Forums

edawg217 · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 19

I am thinking of signing up to take the Canterbury course in Madrid in September and want to know many things:
1. is the TEFL program legit?
2. will they give me job with them (like they guarantee) and if so then for how long?
3. given I put forth the time and effort, can I get a job in Spain to teach there for about a year? ie. is there sufficient demand?
4. is it impossible for an american to get papers and work there legally or will I have to leave the country every 3 months to get a new tourist visa?

Thank you so much!!! I've studied abroad before and now teach ESL in the US informally and I really wanted to teach abroad!

Rubia · Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 5

The TEFL thing is legit...but not online. The point is to get some real life teaching experience. You can not do this online and most schools have plenty of applicants with experience and a TEFL certificate from Spain.

I know of no school that guarantees a job to Americans in Spain. They may guarantee a job in Prague or Eastern Europe or ASSISTANCE. Assistance means they will print job offers from ESL cafe or Tefl.com and post it on the wall. You are on your own in finding a job.

It is nearly impossible to get papers unless you get married, have a child, or own a business.

You don�t have to leave every three months. You are supposed to, but no one will ask any questions when you go home. But there are not people tracking you down or anything.

It is difficult to find work here. You should save some money, so you do not have to worry. Enough for two months (I would say about 1500 at least). It will take time for you to learn how to get around and to find a place to live (this will take longer if you do not speak Spanish).

Unless you are very lucky, you will probably not find work immediately (it is possible in Madrid). The best times are September and January, but keep in mind there are many Americans here who are looking for work already. Keep your options open. Consider private lessons (I know several people who do this until they can find a job). Do research about schools before you get here. If you really want to be here, you can probably make it happen. But you should be prepared. Have a plan B if you can, in case you don�t find work (like studying Spanish or traveling). Good luck Smile

Rubia · Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 5

By the way, with Canterbury, I would email and ask how much they pay you (if they do) and get all the details. It sounds a bit suspicious (how can they employ all those new teachers each monthly tefl course?)

foss · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 55

Most schools will have an excessive number of early morning classes on offer. The problem might not be the hourly rate but the travelling. There's something quite defeating about a one hour journey to a class which only lasts an hour itself. That's probably the catch, but there's not much the school can do about the location of its clients' offices.