Job Discussion Forums

[rbc089]

Hi everyone! I recently obtained my Trinity Cert in TESOL and I'm looking for a placement overseas. Initially I was considering China, but I'm starting to think that somewhere in Europe may be an easier transition for my first esl job.

However, we don't actually receive our Trinity certificate until the end of Oct, because the course has only just finished, and I realise that Sep/Oct are the best time to look for jobs in Spain. If I was to consider somewhere like Madrid or Barcelona, would it be wiser to wait until January? I could use the next few months to try and gain some more experience,take Spanish lessons and earn some much needed cash.

Also, I know that wages aren't great in Spain, but this doesn't bother me. But just how much money do you think i'll need to get started, and is there a fairly large risk that i'll never make enough to break even? I'd love to experience living in Spain, and I accept that I will probably only be making enough to get by. But if I'm constantly having to dip into my savings then maybe I should consider another option.

P.S I have a degree and I'm from the UK so there's no legal issues.

Regards

[Conquense54]

Hi, I lived in Madrid for over 10 years, so first of all be aware you will NOT make enough to get by! And you will need to flat share, the price of flats is ridiculous, and bear in mind you get no extra for living in big cities. Private classes if permitted are a possibility, but as there are thousands of ex-pats working there you will be lucky to get any. Also expect to be in the street more than 1 hours a day to deliver maybe 5 hours of classes, especially if you are asked to teach in Companies. I love Spain, am a graduate in Spanish, have been in this work 30 years now, and have yet to save anything!! Life can be good, anything has to be better than the UK, but you need to know it's no paradise, it's hard work, long hours, if you're in it for the money-forget it!! Good luck!

[mozzar]

Conquense54 paints a very negative view of Spain in my opinion. I�d disagree with almost everything said in it.

Private classes are easily available. Every week a teacher friend tells me about a private class they�ve been offered but can�t take. Off the top of my head I know of 5 parents who all want private classes for their children. I don�t know any academy that doesn�t allow private classes, even if they said it wasn�t allowed they�d be unable to stop you.

You will make enough to get by and save a little. I earn �1500 a month October - June. A summer school for July and August nets you a profit as well. I don�t work ridiculous amounts of hours.

There will be a lot of travelling, there�s no denying that, but a good academy will try to get you as many block hours as possible. The good academies are judged on how many returning teachers they have. In the two I work for (one new this year, one I�m returning to) they have a teacher retention rate of about 60-70%. If the teachers are happy then it�s a good academy.

Start up money is normally between 2000-3000 pounds.

[Takahiwai]

Hi rbc089,
If I were you, I would choose a smaller city to start your EFL career in. The big cities have a large pool of talent to choose from, and having only just done your Certificate course, you would have to be pretty lucky to land a decent job in the likes of Madrid.
I started my EFL career in Spain too. I chose Burgos as my leaping-off point, as it's a small city with great transport links, not too far from either Madrid, or the north coast. I went there in September with a load of copies of my CV, got all the academy addresses from the 'Paginas Amarillas' and just pounded the pavements around the city, dropping the CV off everywhere. I had plenty of offers of work as a result. Bear in mind that the vast majority of Spanish academies do not advertise vacancies on websites or in newspapers. You also get a chance to have a look at the premises that you might be working in, which is always a good idea.
I would definitely not leave it until January to look for work. This is traditionally when academies are looking to replace staff who've done a runner over the Christmas break, and you would then have to ask yourself why the teacher had felt it necessary to leave the job!
Good luck, in any case.

[anospi]

Check out my other post, I'm giving away a book which is perfect for first timers thinking of going to Spain:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=84950