Job Discussion Forums

hidefs · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 7

anyone out there heard of this company that has offices in Madrid and Barcelona?
what can you tell me about?

thanks

GO CONFIDENTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR DREAMS,LIVE THE LIFE YOU IMAGINED

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

I just started teaching a class for them a few months ago in Barcelona and I'm happy. They provide a lot of materials and are very on top of things.

hidefs · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 7

hi CMB!!

how difficult has been joining them?what can you tell me about the recruitment process?
I am telling you this because I have been invited to meet them in their office in Madrid just after emailing them my interest.
it seemd too easy!!

thanks for now

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

From what I remember it was a pretty standard interview, nothing excessive, just tell me about your experience, that kind of thing. Dress nicely, here in Barcelona they're a little formal. They told me that the standard is to try someone out with a class or two and then add more hours gradually.
good luck!

SpanishFly · Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 31

Good place to work. Very supportive.

MO39 · Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:25 pm Post subject:

I was about to post a query about this school and was happy to find this thread. I've just written to them and was encouraged to get in touch for an interview once I get to Madrid. Is anyone currently working for them a non-EU citizen, as I am?

SpanishFly · Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 31

Training Express is a business language consultants dealing with a lot of large companies in Spain. There are a number of non EU citizens working for them and they have no problems. Training Express sorts it all out for them. They offer in company classes, in house classes and telephone classes. There is also scope for promotion because they are a rapidly growing company ( they also have work in Mallorca ).

SpanishFly

MO39 · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 8:33 pm Post subject:

SpanishFly,

Thanks for the encouraging info about TE. This could be the factor that finally gets me out of the doldrums and over to Madrid, though working in Mallorca also sounds intriguing.

elito · Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

I just interviewed with Training Express in Madrid, and one thing really seemed fishy to me. He said that they take taxes out even though I am an undocumented American. When I asked to whom the taxes were paid, he was evasive, saying he didnt know cause he wasnt in the finance dept. The figure he quoted was 18 euros an hour minus the 15 percent taxes for a total of 15.30 per hour. It sounded fishy to me because if I am illegal, then they arent going to pay the Spanish govt., and they obviously arent sending the money to the US govt. Now I just arrived in Madrid, so I dont know much about how things work here, but the three other academies I have interviewed with so far have not said anything about taking out taxes.

MO39 · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 10:41 pm Post subject:

elito,

Did the person you spoke to at Training Express say anything about helping you get working papers eventually, or was it understood that you would be working illegally?

MO

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

The process for getting working visas for non-EU citizens is highly onerous, time-consuming, and expensive. The 99% rule is that schools do not try to do this for anyone. The vast majority of non-EU citizens are working under the table. If you find that acceptable, go for it.

MO39 · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 4:33 pm Post subject:

I do and I will, spiral 78. But thanks for your continuing warnings about the difficulties of someone like me, a non-EU citizen, working and living in Spain. They have given me an honest picture of the situation and made me more determined than ever to do it!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

MO, I don't kid myself that I have the power to actually talk anyone out of heading off to the EU. In the first place, there are literally thousands of people working illegally - obviously a lot of people find this an acceptable option. Further, there are the (very) few rare cases where someone IS able to find some loophole.

I'm not trying to point out the 'difficulties of living and working in Spain.' In that case, I would be writing about normal, daily stuff like making ends meet and dealing with students and handling split shifts.

My motivation really is simply to point out the 99.9% reality that non-EU citizens aren't going to find legal work. If you're going to go anyway, you're going to go. But at least you hopefully won't go with some misconception that if you work hard enough at it, you will be able to find a way to get legal.

It's not particular fun to rain on people's parades. But I've been living and working among TEFL teachers for eight years. I have seen first-hand sad cases when people chose not to accept reality and got into real trouble. I don't want to imply that this is always a consequence of living/working illegally. Sometimes it's because a newbie has chosen to come on a financial shoestring, and only a little bad luck can leave you in a really tough situation. Sometimes it's because an aspiring teacher has been duped by a substandard training program, and the newbie finds him/herself underqualified to compete in the job market. If you search old posts, you'll find that I probably harp on these three themes about equally.

You can't (and don't need to) control every aspect of any situation when you go abroad. But everyone should at least make sure that he/she has taken reasonable steps to ensure the best experience possible. And if that person is laboring under some misconception, like the idea that there will be some loophole waiting in the laws for him/her, then that newbie can't make reasonable preparations for the move he/she wants to make. That leaves one vulnerable.

Simply, the message is just: be realistic. Then you can plan accordingly.

MO39 · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 5:51 pm Post subject:

Hola spiral 78,

Thanks for your response. I believe I am being realistic about moving to Spain. It's something I've been thinking about for awhile and have done my best to approach practically, not romantically, as I might have done (actually did) when I was in my twenties.

First of all, I am an experienced English teacher and have worked overseas at various times in my life, so I have some idea of what I'll be getting into. Also, I have delayed my departure by several months in order to get together a good-size nest egg, so I'll be able to support myself more or less comfortably while putting together a reasonable teaching schedule. And next summer, when I turn 62, I'll be able to apply for early retirement from Social Security (in the U.S.) and will have that income to count on. If you have any other advice to offer, I am all ears!

Marsha

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Marsha, I'm greatly relieved that you're not a starry-eyed 20-something. Also, that you are not a starry-eyed experienced professional embarking on some ill-conceived venture.

I have at least one friend who did the Illegal Thing right - went to Italy with realistic ideas, enough financial backing to ensure her safety, and a few contacts. After four years of trying to make it work somehow, she ended up in the UK (long story - legal in England!!), but has never regretted the four years she spent trying to find a reasonable loophole.

Who knows? There is a small percentage who manage to find some route - work for a U.S. or Canada-based company, get married.....as you probably know, it takes some special qualifications, skills, contacts, etc. ad nausem.

I truly wish you the best of luck. And I do feel better, knowing that you have realistic ideas and enough backup to make your stab at this workable.