Job Discussion Forums

[sjallcock]

Hi

I am currently working in Madrid but am hoping to move to Andalusia during the summer. I haven�t decided where yet, Granada, Sevilla, Cadiz or Malaga. Just wondered if anyone had any idea about the availability of work in any of these places. I�m guessing Sevilla & Malaga have the most.

My area is business English, preferably in-company training. Is there much of this in Andalusia or will I need to branch out to teaching children?

Any other advice, suggestions or information would be welcome. Such as pay, apartments & cost of living.

Many thanks

[stillnosheep]

No idea about work availability but Granada is the big University city (and best, atmospherically and culturally, of the 3 (I've never been to Cadiz)). Sevilla can be more 'exciting' but Malaga is really just a big sheethole on the bigger sheethole of the Costa del Sol (unless you happen to like poor, working-class Spanish dock-towns, which I do).

[foss]

For work, Granada might be the most difficult because it's full of bright young international undergraduates spending their Erasmus year there.

Malaga is a growing city. As sheep says, it's a bit rough edged and it seems that every male teen in the city is on the road 24 hours a day on their chainsaw mopeds. People there tend to be very friendly though.

There must be someone reading this thread who's worked in the south.

[sevilla2005]

I'm currently working in Seville. There are many schools, and apparently plenty of work, but I had a hard time getting started, being a non-sanctioned American.

I think you are crazy if you plan on coming down here in the summer, as it gets well into the 40's on a regular basis throughout July and August, but if you're into sweltering heat, then rock on.

There are gajillions of American university students here in Seville, but they don't really affect the TEFL job market much--maybe a little for private students, but that's more of a pain than it's worth anyway, trying to coordinate a full schedule while running all over the town--as most schools look for dedicated, (I hesitate to use the word, but) professional teachers.

By the way, I've spent time in Madrid, Barcelona, and northern Spain, and while Seville is a very beautiful, vibrant city, I've found the locals here to be far less friendly than those other places: they are, by and large, very polite but disinterested towards non-sevillians (much less actual guiris). And I speak Spanish and all that good stuff, too; I'm convinced it's not just me.

In any case, good luck.

[stillnosheep]

[sjallcock]

Thanks for the input everyone, will give it a go & see how I get on, nothing ventured...

[rosie1973]

I worked for a while in Seville as well, except I never found any "real" work being as that I'm American. I tutored for a while and got by on that since Seville is SO CHEAP. I was living on 60 euros a week no problem. But if you're EU don't even worry. You'll find work without a problem. And Seville is the best city in Spain.......I miss it.

Viva Andalucia....have fun

[Granada Girl]

Go to Andalucia!!! Love that place!!!!

As for work, I'd say Granada is definitly the most difficult. There aren't many schools and tons of competition. Ya gotta get lucky. I lived there for 1.5 yrs. Seville and Malaga would be easier for sure. Cadiz is gorgeous and small but totally in the boonies, which could be a good thing.
I also lived in Madrid for a year and Barcelona for two years. Andalucia is my absolute favorite. I made really good friends with locals and would go to their houses in the campo all the time and experience real pueblo life. Love it!!!
Now I'm off to China en tres semanas!!!!!!!!! Hopefully I'll be able to get in with the locals there too!