Job Discussion Forums

[Bruins05]

I'm a newbie; planning on moving to Valencia shortly after the new year to teach, but beyond my plain ticket, I am very much still in the early planning stages. Does anyone know of any good TEFL programs in Valencia? Or any advice on finding jobs there, as well as finding a good place to live?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Go Bruins; what a comback...

[spiral78]

What's your plan for work permits? If you're a citizen of only the U.S., you're facing all the issues of living/working illegally.
If you've got this part licked (some citizenship from an EU member country in your pocket) then the advice can start from a different point.

The advice about certification and finding accomodation will be different depending on your answers to the above...

(Not to be picky; but it's a plane ticket, right? Or do you mean something different? A plain ticket as versus a fancy one?)

[Bruins05]

Thanks for your response. Too bad I forgot to spell-check that post; yes I have a plane ticket and the UCLA Bruins made a great comeback, not a comback...

As is the case with a lot of us Americans eager to teach abroad, no, I unfortunately have no EU passport or work visa. I've heard how difficult it is to attain one, and am accepting the fact that for the year (and change) that I am there, I will probably be working illegally. While of course I wish I didn�t have to break laws, I don�t see how I can avoid it except by avoiding Spain altogether � which I�d hate to do; I had an amazing study-abroad experience there for my junior year of college. I have heard many people describe the degree to which the Spanish government/police enforce their immigration laws - hardly at all. So I think my venture will be feasible. Any ideas?

[Eloise]

I was living in Valencia last year. it's easy to find accommodation if you speak Spanish as there are loads of students houses so nearly always rooms available. Try www.valencia.loquo.com/ or www.valencia.campusanuncios.com/

When I arrived I just got the yellow pages and phoned up all the language schools to find out if they needed anyone. I've got an EU passport so not sure about visa issues. I'm sure some schools don't care. Try Vaughan Systems, they make you work autonomo so they don't pay social security or anything so they probably don't care about visas either.

I used to go to an intercambio sometimes in the Black Sheep pub. Mariano who runs it is really nice and people there will help you out if they know of anything - a few teachers go. It can be a bit annoying because there's hardly any English people so all the Spaniards are hanging on your every word to learn English! they are all really nice though!

Good luck

[Bruins05]

Thanks very much for your advice. I like the idea that there aren't many English speakers in Valencia (I'm fluent in Spanish, so not really an issue)...which I'd think would be good for someone looking to teach English anyway. When I was a student I lived in Sevilla, which was a wonderful city; however, I felt it was just too easy to come across American or British students/tourists...with trips, tours, fellow classmates/friends, you could get by without ever speaking Spanish!

Thanks again.

[autoenglish]

Hi. This ad was posted on my website a wee while back. Worth checking.

"Dixon Formaci�n (www.dixonformacion.com) requires English teachers for in-company teaching in and around Valencia.
Call 902 747 433"

Good luck,

Bob.

[spiral78]

I obviously can't actually recommend working illegally, but of course people do it. Since this is your case, for what it's worth, I'd just emphasize that you should be especially sure to have enough financial backup to cover you in case of any accident/bad luck. You probably won't have access to total health care coverage: Spanish hospitals will provide emergency services, but you may be billed later, and travel insurance companies will not likely pay up if they can use the loophole that you're living/working illegally.
Remember that you'll need enough to support yourself for two or three months, to pay for a plane ticket, and enough extra in case of any little bad luck you might run into. Working illegally on a financial shoestring is taking a big risk, so save up a bit first!

[Eloise]

I didn't mean there aren't many English speakers in Valencia - there are thousands! Just avoid the Irish pubs! Just not many go to this intercambio!

If you do want to speak Spanish and not hear English speakers everywhere you go then i'd suggest going somewhere a bit smaller (although i'd make sure you can get a job before you go there). I spent my first year in a small town and never spoke a word of English outside class. I had loads of friends and I had no problems with bureaucracy (like bank accounts / ID cards etc.) cos people got to know me. In Valencia you're just another foreigner. All my friends were people who worked at my school (therefore English speakers) and I found it much harder to get to know Valencianos. I'm not suggesting this was anyone's fault but my own! However, I did find it much easier to integrate in a small town. I think a good plan is to live in a small town near a big city (there are loads of them round Valencia) That way you can still go out in Valencia and spend weekends there, but you're living in a more "Spanish" community.

Obviously this is all my opinion and other people will have had different experiences. I just found it much easier to be dragged into the expat community rather than work at finding Spanish friends whereas in a small town you don't get a choice.

[Munchen]

I've written previous posts on this forum. I taught English as a Second Language at the Centro de Estudios Norteamericans which I think may still be in existence but it's no longer at the palace, Plaza de Manises, which is shown in Valancia, Virtourist.com. Statue of Cervantes in the picture.
I enrolled in the Estudios Hispanicos para Extranjeros at the University of Valencia (Artes y Letras) which enables one to meet a lot of people and get student privileges as well. In '73-'74, the grand total for tuition was $50 US for the whole year as the Spanish universities are state supported. and members of the university faculty taught the courses, all outstanding. Best education for the money I've ever had.
I was fortunate through an inside contact in the city to obtain a lovely room in a grand apartment on the Conde de Altea. One thing is Valencia is flat, so it's possible to walk around forever.
Also, be prepared to expect very low wages. I was fortunate to receive the US GI Bill for the university, which aided greatly in my living in Valencia. A backup income is highly recommended, especially today as Spain is now part of the EU. (It wasn't in the '70s which enabled Americans to work there without the worry of being illegal.)
Of course it was a fascinating time to be there as the Franco regime was nearing its end. The assassination of the prime minister took place while I was there. It was eerie, all phone communication was shut off; all the cathedrals had state funerals. A lot has changed since those days.
Anyway, you will find something. It is a great place to be and the experience will be with you for the rest of your life.
Be sure to be there in March for Fallas!
Buena Suerte!