Job Discussion Forums

[willpeach85]

Hi to all at Daves ESL,

I've been lurking here since graduating University (BA English and American History) way back in 08' researching my future experience teaching in Vietnam.

I'm looking to gain the invaluable insight of the community on a new goal.

The goal: to speak Spanish at a high level before September 2012 - competence in reading, listening and speaking (good enough to work and give a presentation in the language)

Right now I'm living in London, working as a site editor and doing a bit of teaching on the side but looking to move to a Spanish-speaking country for immersion purposes and to work towards my goal.

My requirements:
- to live in a Spanish speaking country with good opportunity for immersion (meaning not many expats or English speakers)
- to earn enough to sustain myself and my studies (while working 20-25 hours a week TEFLing)
- possibly enrolling at an institute or university alongside work (said institution should be flexible in times/dates as well as being able to fit into said budget)
- future opportunities outside of the TEFL world to work in the target language

My credentials:
- 2-3 years experience in TEFL (more than a year in Vietnam, a year here in London and some time in Russia and the US)
- CELTA certified and a degree holder (University of Sussex)
- Intermediate level of Spanish currently
- UK born (native speaker)

I'm looking to start this quest in mid-September with around 3K starting funds. I have a specific interest in South American culture and history but am concerned whether working conditions there will fit my requirements. Spain is an option (and possible cheaper) but Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador are edging it in terms of interest.

Thoughts? Where best fits this quest based on all your experiences?

Thanks,

Will

[Teacher in Rome]

Well, you've got just over a year to go from intermediate to advanced level, and I'd say it's definitely doable. The only way I learned Italian was through total immersion working in an Italian company in Rome. I started from beginner level and through necessity, picked up Italian pretty quickly (helped that I already spoke French to almost native level at that point - not now alas).

Have you considered trying to find work in Spain - i.e. in a Spanish company? I appreciate this could be a bit of a tall order, with unemployment currently standing at something horrendous like 20%, but it could be you offer skills that a Spanish person couldn't (i.e. native English speaker). I worked for an elearning company in Rome that had an offshoot in Barcelona (though I don't know if it still does) and they looked particularly for multilingual people. What I'm saying is try to look beyond just tefling and think about other employment possibilities. Only sticking point is that you might not have enough hours to study part-time too, but you might not need this if you're getting most of the language practice you need through work.

[Guy Courchesne]

Mexico City might fit your bill...besides immersion in Spanish, there is a very good Spanish program at UNAM, running 6 week courses by level. I think they are charging just over 400 usd per course.

http://www.cepe.unam.mx/

For work, you might look at teaching English to the corporate folks since the schedule is flexible (early morning, late afternoon) leaving time for Spanish courses or other study. The hourly pay is in the 12 to 20 USD range, enough to pay your bills and keep you in a Spanish course.

[willpeach85]

@Guy @TeacherinRome

Much appreciated guys, thanks for the input.

I'm still considering the plan but, as you guys have rightly pointed out, am settling close to these two scenarios through my research.

Spain has many pros despite not quite interesting me in the way Mexico does. I think I'd rather stick to TEFL there but as you say Rome, if I'm on the ground there I might as well look for work in the target language. It's cheaper for me to get there from the UK and with Spain there are no visa issues.

Mexico is really capturing me as an option but I have concerns over working with the visa issues, apostilling, a degree and so forth. The flight over there is also a big con as is the general instability of finding enough work to supplement my studies.

I'm coming close to dropping the idea of enrolling at an institution (or rather limited it to the first month of being in-country).

Spain is edging it as the safer option yet Mexico is where my interests lie, saying that I have to keep the objective in mind.

My concerns now are specific locations and institutions. Thanks for the hat tip for Mexico City.

Anyone know of any other ways to play this? Possible countries etc?

[Glenski]

[ancient_dweller]

Spain is tough for TEFLers as it is. Their economy is struggling so demand for learning English might not be high on the agenda. You should post your questions into the Spain forum.

The flights to Mexico are expensive from the UK, especially as the UK runs very few flights (relative i mean - compared to how many flights that run East) and those that do run almost certainly require a change in the US or in Spain.

I'd go for changing in Spain unless you want to be anal probed in a US airport for routine security reasons.

[willpeach85]

@Glenski

The con is indeed the money trying to afford a ticket but I also have concerns about coming to say Mexico City in early September when school work is difficult to come by. As well as the issues concerning apostilling degrees and working on tourist visas.

Mexico is still in my heart as it seems more exciting (and maybe has more opportunities outside of teaching) than Spain has at present.

@ancient_dweller

TEFL job sites still seem to brim with opportunities yet I will do as suggested and consult those on the ground over there (have been around a few Madrilenos who seem largely negative).

Anally probed? I'd feel more sorry for the person who would have to do this than myself.

Obviously it's not your bag.

[BadBeagleBad]

[BadBeagleBad]