Job Discussion Forums

dapto1 · Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 3

Does anybody know anything about the Escuelas de Idiomas? I've had a tentative job offer as a language assistant in one, but don't have any experience working in Spain so haven't heard of them.

Thanks!

hughesie · Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 63

Well, it just means 'language school' which paints a pretty broad brushstroke. Give us a bit more information. Where in Spain is it? Are you non-EU and you have applied over the net?

dapto1 · Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 3

Escuela Oficial de Idiomas have schools all over Spain, it's a network of schools http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escuela_Oficial_de_Idiomas

Yes, I'm an EU citizen and the school is in Murcia.

It wasn't an online application, I heard about the position through a contact.

SirKirby · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Barcelona, Spain

Never worked there myself but know people that do and by all accounts they are good places to work -- and not easy for a non-Spanish person to get into.

dapto1 · Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 3

IanN · Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 78 Location: Valencia

My understanding is that as it is in the public sector you will need to take and pass the 'oposiciones' to be able to work there.

A complication is that in Spain there is currently a freeze on recruitment in the public sector. They already have too many civil servants and the government doesn't have the money to pay them (but doesn't have a choice).

SirKirby · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Barcelona, Spain

Yes, but the original poster is saying he has details of a language assistant job there...

Pauleddy · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 295 Location: The Big Mango

The Escuelas de Idiomas (oficiales) are state-run language institutes, like a language college...in every large town or city.

I remember the one in the centre of Valencia when I was there in 1998. It was very much a public college, a bit shabby and with old brown paint on the walls. However, the standards were quite high, and the waiting lists large (because of subsidized fees?).

In the larger ones, folk can study French, German, Russian etc (as well as English). Students are often adult and willing.

Unless things have changed, an Escuela Oficial de Idiomas is NOT a private academy or a high school. It is a state run language college/institute.

If u want to find them, follow the link or google.

Normally, you would need some sort of official interview to work in one, AFAIK.

IMHO it is quite difficult to get any kind of post doing TEFL within a gvmt. uni or college in Spain. There are a lot of language graduates in Spain, and some speak very good English.

eddy