Job Discussion Forums

AnniePantsAP · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 3

How easy is it for an American to get a teaching job in Spain if I have my undergrad in Education and an MA in TESL?

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

How easy would it be for an American with an undergrad in Education and an MA in TESL to get a teaching job in Spain?

Laughing

AnniePantsAP · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 3

I'm not sure...that's why I'm asking for some help...

b harmon · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 20

Hi Annie,

I'm American and there are lots of teaching hours around, now for the record, I'm speaking Madrid here. The academies I work for all have been fairly good employers. You will find hourly rates between 14-18 euros and while others might offer you less, some maybe more, it will all depend on who you interview with or maybe at times what course/program you will be teaching. Business english courses might pay more, but again every school will have their own pay policy. Pm me if you need more info.

Brian

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

Dear Annie,

With your credentials, consider yourself HIRED. I will tell you that, the way things are now in Madrid, you will be picked up right away by an academy.

Soon, when do you arrive? Very Happy

Later gator,

Phil

Ai · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 154 Location: Chile

Hey Annie. I was just curious if you'd made the move to Spain? I'm also an american with a MA TEFL and I was thinking of doing the same thing next year. I would love to hear about your experience.

MO39 · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:26 pm Post subject:

To Americans presently teaching in Madrid,

What are my chances of picking up classes in Madrid fairly quickly this fall? I have a BS in Education and Spanish and an MA in Spanish plus (and most important) many years of teaching experience both in the US and abroad, mostly in Mexico.

Thanks for your help,

Marsha

SpainExpat · Joined: 18 Jan 2005 Posts: 5 Location: www.spainexpat.com

With an MA in TEFL you might have a shot. That's not a common qualification one finds here, so you might get hired on as a director, or at least soon get promoted to that, especially if you already speak Spanish. You might even look at working at a TEFL teaching institution like International House as a teacher trainer... better money, better hours, more stress...

Otherwise, even with a BA in whatever or an MA in Spanish, as an American without a work permit it is practically impossible to find a normal job in the city that will sponsor you for papers and social security, even working under the table is difficult as I've heard there has been a crack down on schools hiring illegals over the past few years.

There are other ways however. For example, nothing is stopping you from getting your NIE (talk to the Spanish embassy back home), then setting up your own business, self employed, then sponsoring yourself for your visa. It's not quite that straight forward, but talk to a lawyer and they'll sort ya out. It won't be cheap, but neither is grinding through interview after interview for 5 months getting "sorry, if you get your papers in order come talk to us".

You can also do private teaching, which works on many levels, but it tough to get into at first. It's still doable however.

Bring at least $5k to get started if you're in the big cities.

Check out http://www.spainexpat.com for lots more info about this.

MO39 · Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:29 pm Post subject:

SpainExpat,

I see from your profile that you're in Barcelona. Might the crackdown on illegal workers you mention in your post be more true of Barcelona than of Madrid? The vast majority of posts at Dave's regarding employment possibilities in Madrid (even for non-EU job seekers) seem to be quite optimistic. But I do appreciate your cautionary remarks. Of course, I'd like to land a "real" job with working papers and all, when I first arrive in Spain. But I know that, realistically, I would have to work under the table for a time (even a long time) before I found something more stable and legal. Thanks for mentioning how much money I'd need to bring with me. Do other teachers now in Madrid agree with the amount that SpainExpat mentions?

Brian, would it be all right if I sent you a PM?

Many thanks to all,

Marsha

SpainExpat · Joined: 18 Jan 2005 Posts: 5 Location: www.spainexpat.com

MO39 · Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:56 pm Post subject:

CMB · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 46 Location: Barcelona

I'm not sure about Madrid, but that's definitely the case here in Barcelona, at least for new teachers. The more considerate schools will try to give you "blocks" of at least 3 hours or so, but when I first started I definitely spent more time on the bus/metro/walking to class than I did teaching. However, turnover is high so if you can hold out for a year or so you'll be able to pick and choose.

b harmon · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 20

First thing first, yes MO39 you can PM me.

Now here comes the Barca - Madrid answer. I can speak for myself and a friend who's recently got her TEFL certificate. I work mainly in the Zone A Metro area meaning although I buy a B1 monthly pass, all my classes are reachable on the Metro, all within Zone A.

A friend of mine who just finished her TEFL course 2 weeks ago, teaches within Madrid.

It all depends on who you interview with - how many hours these academies have in one company . You can end up doing block hours in companies located within the city center or they can also send you to companies outside the city center. I've done back to back classes from 13:00 - 18:00 , MWF in a bank on Paseo de la Castellana and I've also done back to back classes in Alcobendas, which is a 20-30 mins bus ride from Plaza Castilla.

You can always ask the academy to pay for your bus fare but again if you have a monthly pass, it's better if you just ask them to pay you higher hourly rates. I've always asked for higher rates when the class was in the boonies. Some of us opt for block hours at a lower rate vs. the 20 euros an hour pay rate but you teach 1 hour and commute 2, 2,5 hours.

My suggestion is to always try for block hours, you can always ask and who knows you might get lucky. As for me , I've been lucky especially with the bigger academies and there were also times when the DOS just refused me out right!

So yes, in Madrid there are classes in the boonies and there are classes right in the center and they can be offered to the new teachers or to the not so new teachers, it's really up to you and the DOS at interview time.

Good luck.

Brian

MO39 · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:37 pm Post subject:

Brian, I really appreciate your comprehensive answer to my (and others') concerns. From what you've written it looks like an American, even one without an M.A. in TEFL, has a shot at making a living teaching in Madrid, without necesarily having to shlep all over the Madrid metropolitan area to do so. I'll be sending you a PM soon.