Job Discussion Forums

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

I imagine this is a non-starter in the area I'm heading for - the mountainous, village-populated area to the south east of Granada - but wonder if anyone could give any insight into teaching privately in Spain. I certainly wouldn't expect to make a living this way, but it'd be interesting to know if it could make a contribution to the monthly pay packet. If, for example I advertised in the local paper - would I be likely to get much response? And if so, from whom? Confess I couldn't hack teaching kids.

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

I don't know about the local paper.

As I walked the Via de la Plata this winter what I saw in use were those notice thingiies one see's on telephone poles -- the one's with a little fringe of telephone numbers you can tear off.

They all said things like:

Leciones particular en Ingles - hablante nativo

Don't sweat it if yer Spanglish isn't perfect - it only lends a note of authenticity. The point is to hook students - not to pass an exam

I wouldn't sell small towns short. Out on the meseta where they are depopulating you will see people driving out from the town in their BMW's to escape the city by living in a pueblo, especially if it is at all picturesque..

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

You might try posting a notice at the local high school. 17/18 year olds heading off soon to university often need some boost in English skills, and they aren't little kids, at least.

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

Marcoregano
You can earn a (modest) living teaching English privately in Spain but it takes time to build up a clientele. The best way is by word of mouth. You can advertise in lots of places cheaply or for free. Whether you get much response is another question. Like you, I don't want to teach kids and this reduces your earning possibilities.
I take it you are heading for the Alpujarra. It's a stunning area and, while not inundated with foreigners like the Costas, there seemed to be quite a number who had settled there. I imagine there are already quite a few teachers in the area touting classes. You might do better in Granada or Motril.
BYW, if you do advertise, it's my OPINION that the Spanish should be spot on. It creates a good impression and some potential clients wrongly think that good Spanish is essential in a teacher.

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

Tks for the posts. Yes, the Alpujarra...we have bought a house up there, but will still be living in HK for a while yet. Point taken about speaking Spanish. Mine isn't great and I should get down to improving it, but being realistic that might have to wait until I get there. There is a layer of expats in the area but not in great numbers (thanks be!) - I expect some will be teaching English but I haven't heard of any yet. At least one nearby expat writes books about driving over lemons. Anyway, it sounds like there might be some mileage in the private tefl thang, so I'll give it some thought. Very grateful for any other observations!

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

I actually think you could post adverts in English. Unless you're seeking total beginners, most prospective students would understand 'private English lessons offered.'

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

You can also generate some income by translating and editing documents. That's all the more reason for getting a working knowledge of Spanish.

You may find some quaint usage on things like menus, web-sites, etc. if you stay in town long enough and offer to be helpful you may find people approaching you to polish stuff up for them.

jonniboy · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:55 pm Post subject:

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

Tks again. I was also wondering how much I could charge? Not much, that's for sure. There might be the odd wealthy Madrid retiree in the area, but most of the locals are regular working folk who are not rich by any stretch of the imagination. A friend of a friend in the area - a drama graduate from Notting Hill (I jest not) - was earning about 4 euros an hour (maybe less!)as a petrol-pump attendant, and about the same washing dishes. How does learning/teaching English compare on the local payscale?

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

"Private Classes - Hourly Rate: Don�t charge less than 15 �/hour. If you�re doing business English, at least 20 �/hour. Once you factor in your transit time, fees and lesson planning you realize just how little you�re actually making."

This advice comes from www.spainexpat.com

Seems reasonable, but whether it'd be a viable rate in the sierra I have no idea. Any comment?

BTW, the site above gives some useful tips on starting out as a privateer.

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

Yesterday I chanced to meet a HK-based teacher who has also bought a house in the Alpujarras. Small world! Turns out she departed HK, not intending to return, a few years ago, but after two years in Spain gave up and returned to HK. Basically, she reckons earning reasonable money in the sierra (as an EFL teacher) is nigh-on impossible - she gave private teaching a go but said 10 euros an hour is as good as it gets - unfortunately locals are happy to go to the cheapest teacher, even if they aren't properly qualified, and 10 euros is, or was, the benchmark in the area. She then managed to get a f/t teaching job at a university in La Rioja, which paid 1000 euros per month (crap by HK standards), and returned to Honks after a year and a bit of that. She also reckons that 1000 euros a month is mas o menos the going rate for teaching jobs in Spain, which - if true - is illuminating.