Job Discussion Forums

[mise_me_fein]

Hi All

I'm thinking of going to work in Spain in January/February time. I've no experience and very little Spanish but I'm Irish so there's no issue working.

Is this an ok time to work...should I apply say in September and also should I lie and say that I have experience???

[Moore]

There's really not that much point in applying until you're here in Spain and you have your local mobile phone number sorted out, if not schools will not be able to be 100% sure that if they line you up for a contract they have with a company, that you will be there for sure. If you arrive in January, that's the second best time to apply for work here, so don't worry too much on that score.

I think everybody lies a little bit about their experience when they are starting out, but schools place just as much importance on a good, bright, outgoing and friendly personality and a clean-cut appearance.

Maybe you can pick up a bit of experience at home before you set off, doing private conversation classes to foreigners where you are living?

[craftynick]

[CharlesTESOL]

It's best to get here by 6 January, as that is the final holiday of the Christmas/New Year/Reyes (aka, Epiphany) break. So, schools will be in hiring mode as soon as that's over.

You said you have no experience. I hope you have some training. If not, get that first.

As for gaining experience, you could look for volunteer opportunities with immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, etc. Libraries, religious groups and social service organizations may need volunteers willing to teach English.

Suerte,

[shorain]

hi, im also Irish and i'm planning on arriving in Barcelona or Madrid in January. i am teaching in South Korea at the moment. i'm curious if the teaching environment is much different in Spain??

at the moment I :
- teach kindie & elementary kids from 10-7pm,
- classes are limited to 10 kids,
- curriculum is based on English conversation books
- students are quieter i imagine than Spanish students

any expats from Korea i'd love some info on the differences, thanks

[mise_me_fein]

So I guess I could say I give private lessons to some of the foreigners I work with at the moment then. That'd do.

What an NIE number?

So you guys are saying, just arrive in Madrid and search when I get there?
Would it take long to pick up Spanish from scratch?