Job Discussion Forums

[naturesvalley]

Anyone have any experience of Cordoba in Spain? I am planning to do the TEFL course and would like to work in Cordoba as I loved the place when I visited and have a friend there with whom I can share a flat.

Any tips/warnings/caveats to working in Cordoba? What are my prospects with no experience in teaching? (I come from an IT background) By the way I dont have much Spanish, although I do have an EU passport.

Any info welcome.

Thanks,
Chris

[sheikh radlinrol]

I believe that all Spanish cities of any size have plenty of language ''schools''. Even without experience you'll probably get something. You'll have fun but don't expect to get rich. Good Luck!

[cubs05]

One of my TEFL classmates attempted to get work in Cordoba after we finished our course in Sevilla in November 2005. It is not a big city, but there are several schools. He didn't get anywhere with a job because of when we finished the course--too late. It is crucial to finish your course at the right time to get the jobs--schools start hiring in Spain about first or second week of September, then again in January. You can get a job at other times of the year, but your pickings will be slimmer.

My friend and I took the train from Sevilla (about an hour and 15) and spent the day in Cordoba. I really liked it, especially the Mezquita. But fair warning, it was HOT even in October (32 degrees C, about 90 degrees F) and it gets REALLY HOT there. As you saw yourself, the city lies in the bottom of the Guadalquivir river valley. I understand it can get really cold during the winters there too...
Frankly, I would have a backup plan as to Andalucia because it is really competitive for jobs down there and the pay is not good. Since you don't have experience, you will start at the bottom of the pay scale. You can read my story about Malaga if you search my screen name.

Your lack of Spanish is not going to be a big problem for getting a TEFL job, but will make getting an apartment, a NIE number, bank account, etc. that much more difficult. I found that most staff members at the English schools in Malaga did not speak much English, so at least you better practice a few stock Spanish phrases when you drop off your CV's. (e.g., "Soy profesor de Ingles. �Puedes dar al director/a la directora esta carta de introduccion y mi C.V."?) You will probably interview with a DOS or the owner of the school who (you hope!) speaks decent English.
Buena suerte!

[Moore]

Here in Madrid there is tons of work for teachers and a good many of my mates who have IT experience have managed to get jobs in that once their Spanish was up to scratch, and then you can just take cheap internal flights/express trains down to Cordoba whenever you want. Possibly a good backup plan in case it doesn't work out down there.