Job Discussion Forums

alex_21 · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 1 Location: UK

I am english and am considering taking a canterbury english tefl course and staying in Spain to teach with the school,,,i would appreciate it if anyone who has taken the course could offer any advice on the programme and their thought on it.

Also if my aim is to stay in spain for a considerable amount of time is working for canterbury english a good way of earning enough money to be comfortable.

Spainish · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 61 Location: Madrid, Spain

Hey Alex,

As I'm sure you can imagine, Canterbury has come up in these forums before and I'm pretty sure your questions have already been answered. I will say that typically people work for multiple academies while living and teaching here in Madrid, many also find their own private classes once they get the confidence up and start self marketing (many times I've gotten classes from people who were leaving too... so you never really know the many different ways you can make a living in Madrid). I did teach for Canterbury some years ago and was working around 20 to 25 hours a week with them. I don't recall the exact amount I was earning on a monthly basis, but it floated around 1,000 euros a month which was plenty for me at the time.

Granted things have gotten a little more expensive here in Madrid lately and I don't know what Canterbury pays now, but you could definitely still get by on 1,000 comfortably. It all comes down to how much you spend on a room, food, going out, etc.

If you have anymore specific questions about Canterbury feel free to ask!

Axel · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Madrid, London

I have friends who have done Canterbury. My mate just the other day said that Canterbury gave him everything he was promised and he met a lot of good people. They don�t pay a lot, but they�ll give you hours and this will get you on your feet. They are probably the most social academy in Madrid. I�ve gone to a few of their events--loads of intoxicated good-looking people.

Spainish · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 61 Location: Madrid, Spain

"loads of intoxicated good-looking people" Mr. Green

Sounds like you've been to a few of their pub nights. I think they try their best to put out a good image, that it's not just a big party, and organize cultural excursions as well, but some how we foreigners always end up with a drink in our hands (considering the bar to person ratio here in Spain, it's no wonder really)!

benitacanova · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 8

canterbury rocks - i quickly left there for more money but am constantly there for the family atmosphere - there is nothing else like it in madrid

MAP Magazine · Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 46 Location: Madrid, Spain

Hey there,

I graduated from the Canterbury TEFL program...I think two years ago now. They have a solid TEFL course, excursions, activities, and good job placement.

Phil

Kingbee · Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 15 Location: Bush-land

Thanks Phil and benitacanova for the positive reviews of Canterbury. My wife and I are planning to move to Madrid in September and I've been looking for a TEFL school that offers work for us Americans.

Because Canterbury offers work to it's graduates I'm assuming it also offers work permit assistance. Is that correct? I've done some research into the work permit requirments and the process has got me a little nervous.

Your help is appreciated.

MAP Magazine · Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 46 Location: Madrid, Spain

Hi Kingbee,

agentcooper · Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 13

I too am looking at taking the Canterbury course (with my boyfriend) in the fall. It seems like the best course for Americans to take since they guarantee a job after the course is finished.

I was wondering if anyone knows how it's possible for Canterbury to give American's (with no papers) a job?

stoth1972 · Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 5:33 pm Post subject:

When I worked in Spain it was EXTREMELY difficult for an employer to get their non-EU employees a work permit to teach ESL. In fact, the only time that wasn't true was when the govt offered a grandfather clause up to those who had been residing in the country illegally for x amount of time, and had an offer of employment.

I think it's safe to say that if you're going to live and work in Spain as an ESL teacher, expect to be doing so illegally. Is it hard to do? No. Will you be deported? Never heard of that happening.

Spainish · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 61 Location: Madrid, Spain

What Stoth had to say is true, regardless of the course you take or the academies you work for, if you are a non-EU citizen you will be working here illegally (and you will be among many hundreds, if not thousands, more).

Granted, Spain's (and the typical Spaniards) conception of "illegality" varies widely. It's sad but true that we are treated quite differently from illegals from, say, African or Eastern European countries.

Furthermore, I highly doubt the Spanish immigration authorities aren't aware of the large number of illegal North Americans, Australians, etc. living and working here without papers, they just seem to be preoccupied with all the "bad" illegals running around out there. On top of that, I highly doubt that the English teaching demand (in Spain alone) could suddenly be supplied by only EU citizens should all "illegal" teachers be suddenly thrown out. I also highly doubt that the authorities don't realize this as well.

I'm sure this will all change in the future and I personally am all for open border immigration and working policies (call me a dreamer! Very Happy

) though I'm sadly aware of how difficult and unlikely that would be anytime soon.

So, until that day, you will just have to deal with the fact that if you decide to live and work here, you will be doing so illegally. You will also have to deal with the fact that no one really seems to care (I know, it sounds really hard to do doesn't it! Razz

).

I've been living in Spain now for over 4 years and have never heard of a non EU English teacher being deported for lack of proper documentation.

It's just the way it is. Wink

Suerte!!

agentcooper · Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 13

I don't really like the fact that i'd be breaking the law but at the same time I REALLY want to teach english in spain. I wish there was some way of doing it legally but since there isn't, I'll take my chances.

I'd like to add that while this is not an excuse for working illegally, I have spent more than 7,000 U.S. dollars in Spain over the years, and I'm quite positive that most of that money went to Spanish people (landlords, shops, busses, transportation companies, hotels, etc). When I go to Spain this time, I'm sure I'll add another 3,000 dollars to that total before I ever make a dime.

stoth1972 · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 4:30 pm Post subject:

Well, there have been RARE cases of people who made Spain their long-term home and eventually became legal. I mentioned previously a 'grandfather clause' that was offered up to all illegals who could prove they had resided in Spain for a certain amount of time (in my case, it was the month I arrived 10 months prior to the implementation of this plan) and had a contract offer in hand. My academy in Madrid did take the steps to help one of the teachers become legal at that point, as my other employer in Aranjuez did for me. It required a lot of documentation (proof of paying rent, utilities, etc.). I can't say whether or not an offer like this would ever be extended again (perhaps someone still living in Spain can comment on this). If you're thinking of going to Spain and working for a year (what most people do) then I would not be too concerned. When I worked in Spain, even my EU counterparts were 'illegals' in the sense that they were paid under the table.

agentcooper · Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 13

I'm only planning on staying for a year but I really don't know if I'll end up wanting to stay longer. It's good to hear that it's fairly easy to find jobs as an American.

Stoth, i see you're from Seattle? I lived there for a couple of years....it's a wonderful city. Does that mean you're no longer in Spain? May I ask why you left?

stoth1972 · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 5:46 pm Post subject:

Yes! Seattle is a wonderful city. I'm not from here but I've been living here almost 2 years since I repatriated. It made returning to the US easier after 5 years in the Middle East. I had spent time in Spain in high school, and later received a degree in Spanish. I always wanted to go back to Spain after that first visit. I'm thrilled I did it, but living on an ESL teacher's salary was difficult. I do hope you take absolutely no debt with you...trying to pay a student loan installment and/or a credit card will be EXTREMELY difficult. Your salary in Spain should be enough to pay your rent, allow for meals out a few times/week, and some low-cost trips. Living in cities like Madrid or Barcelona will mean sharing accommodation with 2, 3 and sometimes 4 other people. I loved Spain, but when the summer arrived, no school could guarantee regular hours. I did a summer day camp in the Basque Country (beautiful town, Zumaia, rotten children) and that took me to August...no salary and no savings. I remember the heartbreak of changing over my pesetas to dollars...I think I went home with $620 for one month's work in summer camp. Saying that, I had a few friends who spent year after year in Spain, and did so by giving private tuition on the side to supplement their academy income.