Job Discussion Forums

[ejy110]

Hello all,
I�m posting here because I�ve had very little luck in the Spain forum. I hope someone here can help me.

First, the question: Are there any relatively affordable places in Madrid to obtain either a TEFL or CELTA certification? Most places want at least 1000� and right now I�m more concerned with paying my rent (320�).

Next, the background info:
1. I would like to take a course over the summer, because I know the English teaching business dies down during this period.
2. I am currently enrolled in the Complutense de Madrid and have a student visa that is valid until Aug. 9 (I�m from the US). This allows me (as far as I�ve been told) to work up to 30 hours a week.
3. I have a BA in psychology and am currently working for a business by teaching English at other business in Madrid.
4. Oddly enough, my research at school mostly concerned language development in children as a function of emotion regulation. It�s a strange way to gain experience regarding the language, but experience nonetheless.
5. I have teaching experience in yoga (2 years, and it�s not as easy as you think) and a Counselor Education course.

The information may seem a little excessive, but the more you know, the more you may be able to help me.
I am seriously considering this as a career option. I have very little desire to go back home and if I can find some way to stay in Spain, I�d like to do it (legally). Any help at all would be appreciated.

[herman]

As regards CELTA programs, I don't think you can get any lower than 1000� in Spain or Portugal for that matter. I had done research on CELTA programs all over Europe (trying to find the cheapest) and almost enrolled at International House-Lisbon. Their CELTA was 1200� last year, and I remember the cheapest I could find in Spain was about the same.

I'm not sure this is an option if your student visa is up on Aug 9 and you are actually studying right now. Some institutions offer part-time CELTA/TEFL courses running 3 months or up to 6 months. If you can find a program starting soon, then you can still earn your 30 hrs/week up until Aug 9 as well as finish your studies at Complutense de Madrid. When your Aug 9 visa is up, get your 3 month tourist visa to finish the rest of the program if you need (probably requires reentering Spain through a non-Schengen country like England?).

Oh yes, aren't alternative health programs are very popular in Madrid? It's worth looking into this given your experience as a yoga instructor, if you haven't already. I assume you speak Spanish well enough to have no problems on this front?