Job Discussion Forums

[Kaisersoze]

I want to move to either Barcelona or Amsterdam. I have a B.A. and a EU passport (and a Canadian passport).

Seems most ppl have TEFL, but is TESOL just as widely recognized in Barcelona or Spain in general? What about Holland? Or are they the exact same thing?

Also, what specizlizatoin course should I take to teach in Barcelona? I was recommend TOEFL or Business.

Should I get my certificate where I live or on location in Spain (or Holland)? I have Global TESOL College is my city. Why are many people doing there TESOL certificate on location (in Spain)?

Thanks for any answers to my questions. I have a bunch of others but Ill leave it at that for now.
ps. I know it's "impossible" to get a job in Amsterdam but that won't keep me from trying, at least here in the comfort of my home in Canada. Madrid is too conservative for my taste.

[Moore]

If you don't have much experience teaching then start in Spain not Amsterdam. It is truly hard to get work there: I lived there for a year and it is tough going: the world and his dog want to live and work there. To be honest the same goes for Barcelona in terms of everyone wanting to be there. Don't discount Madrid: anyone who has lived here and experienced the nightlife will assure you that it's anything but conservative.

[spiral78]

If you actually want to compete in either Spain or Holland (both competitive job markets) don't do the GLOBAL course. Reputable schools want a minimum of a 120-hour on-site course that includes supervised teaching practice. The on-site part of GLOBAL is a course about 'how to get a job overseas' and the program includes no supervised teaching practice. Do a course in Span if you want to teach there.

[Kaisersoze]

Thank you very much for responding, it means a lot.

Thanks Moore, Ive read a couple other posts and I lost count how many times you or someone else have said that 'the world and their dog' want to work there'. As discouraging as that might sound-and sorry to say-very unhelpful yet good to know-I am going to Barcelona to teach any way if Im unsucessful at finidng a job in Amsterdam in the near future. If I get there and am unsucessful and run out of cash then I guess Ill have no other option but to try Madrid. But since I heard success stories and it's not like no one in Bareclona has a job, I don't see why I should listen to a dude or two on the internet and kill my dream.

As far as Amsterdam, I should have been clearer, not really looking to teach there as it makes sense to me that it would be very diffucult especially without experince to find a teaching job, but Im currently looking for any kind of half-descent job with a contract there.

Siral, thanks for the info. I thought that the 60hour in class session (+60 online) was teaching students how to teach? Have you taken this Global College course or know someone who has? I guess if they are looking for 120hours in-class and with teaching practice then I guess this wont work.

Any good TESOl/TEFL schools that you guys would recommend in Barcelona? Do I have to pass an interview first? Do they have some sort of job guarentee afterwards if I finish it there? Or do they at least offer help in fiding a job? Apartement (shared of course)? Friends?

Im worried that if I go there with no certificate that I might not even get into the course. Or can I register and get into it form here in Canada where I currently live? I was also hoping to have a contract already because that way I dont have to have a lot of money saved up to last me while I do the course and look for a job afterwards.

[Moore]

Didn't mean to be discouraging: follow your dream and all that- I went to live in several places where people said it was impossible to get a job and always did ok: there is always work if you look hard enough and are sociable enough to make contacts. I was just trying to warn you how tough it can be.
The best bit of (blindingly obvious) advice though is bring as much money / credit as you can possibly get your hands on: where cities are harder you will need a lot more "walking around money" until you get yourself set up.
Best of luck.

[Kaisersoze]

Thanks. Do you or anyone else know anything about other (non-teaching) temporary or part time jobs in Barcelona or Madrid as part of a 'plant B' or while Im going to school there? I imagine it wouldn't be very easy finding english speaking work but maybe I'm wrong?

As far as school Im looking into the International TEFL or SIT TESOL in Barcelona, any other suggestions are welcome of course.

[Moore]

There's sometimes work in call centre type places: IBM have an international section here where they employ native speakers to very politely ask their customers when they are going to pay, but these salaried jobs are quite fought for. There's bar work in Irish pubs but your Spanish will have to be pretty good.
The thing is that as far as I understand it, any decent TEFL course worth doing will not allow you any time to work part-time as the workload is very heavy and intensive.
The other thing to consider is that we're hurtling towards summer here and Spain effectively shuts down from mid-July to mid-September and heads for the beach (you can always get a job doing bar-work on the Costas: reasonable money and good fun I'm told, but you have to get down there by the start of May)
Your best bet is probably giving conversation classes.
If you want to make things easier on yourself I'd seriously consider working in your own country until the end of July and save up as much as possible: then head over to Barcelona, do a month long CELTA certified TEFL program, then you have can look for work as things pick up again in mid-September.

[Kaisersoze]

Thanks, working untill end of July is actually exactly what I am now planning to do anyway. I need to save up money and Ive only just started going so.

Ive been doing a lot of house painting part time during school, both outdoor and indoor, wonder if there would be many people needing a painter during the time that Im doing the course or after Im done and job searching.

Ps. Do you know if there are there resonably priced gym's (fitness centers) in Barcelona that I could afford going to on a teachers salery?

I have a gym membership and Ive been lifiting weights, drikining protein shakes ect. for close to a year because Im naturally skinny. It would be a shame if I lost all my muscle and went back to my skinny self while living there. (I can bring my protein with me and have my parents send more but I need a gym)

[pvbound]

I am heading to Barcelona to do TESOL course with Oxford/Trinity certified (www.oxfordtefl.com). After talking to a few different programs and students I have had a gut feeling towards choosing this program for a number of reasons. Particularly, they have been very helpful and responsive to all of my questions. My impression is that there is no difference between TESOL and TEFL certifications. Also it is very easy to get in to a program in Barcelona from overseas, just submit your app online and they'll contact you for a phone interview within a few days.

I am so excited for my trip and just wanted to second Kaisersoze's previous post. If you just read the messages on the Spain forum it would be incredibly discouraging, particularly in regards to working in Barcelona. Which is why I frankly have stopped checking the site. It could be a great source if there wasn't such a negative overture toward non-EU citizens and the idea that if it is hard, well you mine as well not try (the specific people who I am referring to shall remain nameless). I've done a good bit of research on teaching in Barcelona so feel free to contact me directly if you have more questions.